People who want to move to Canada often ask, “How long will it take for my immigration application to be processed?” In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know about immigration processing times and how long it takes to move to Canada.
Whether you’re thinking about economic immigration, family support, or any other type of immigration programme, we want to help you understand how long the process will take. By looking at the different things that affect processing times and getting into the details of each immigration stream, we will give you the information you need to move quickly through the Canadian immigration system.
Get ready for an enlightening trip as we explore the complexities of immigration processing times and show you how to reach your dream of living in Canada.
How long it takes to get into Canada
For anyone applying for a visa or permit to Canada, it’s important to take the average working times into account when figuring out how long it will be until they hear back about their application.
People can better manage their goals and make plans during the immigration process if they know how important processing times are. If applicants understand these timelines, they can make smart choices and take the right steps to make sure their application moves along smoothly and on time.
Whether you are asking for a study permit, work permit, visitor visa, or any other type of immigration document, you must take processing times into account in order to be well-prepared and realistic about your Canadian visa or permit application.
Canadian immigration processing time
In the world of Canadian immigration, “processing time” is the amount of time it takes for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to look over your application and decide what to do with it. It includes the time between when they get your entry and when they make a final decision.
But it’s important to remember that processing times don’t include the extra time needed for some preliminary steps, like submitting an expression of interest and getting an Invitation to Apply, gathering and preparing the necessary documents, submitting the application itself, or the mailing process for finalised visas, permits, status cards, and so on.
Even though these extra steps aren’t part of the working time, they are still important to think about when figuring out how long your whole Canadian immigration process will take. By knowing this difference, applicants will have a better idea of the different steps in the process and be better able to manage their expectations.
What affects my time to process?
There are many things that affect how long it takes to finish your application and how long it takes to immigrate or come to Canada. Among these things are:
Country of residence: Processing times can be different depending on where the person lives. Before, applications were handled by the visa office closest to the applicant, and those times were posted. But today, forms are sent to visa offices all over the world to make things run more smoothly.
So, your application might not be handled at the visa office closest to you. Instead, it might be handled at the office that can handle it most quickly.
- What kind of use: Different visas and permits take different amounts of time to handle. The overall processing time can be affected by the category and the amount of applicants being processed in that category at the same time. If more people apply to a programme than was expected, it could take longer to handle the applications.
- How complete your application is: How long it takes to finish your application depends a lot on how complete it is. If your application isn’t full, the IRCC may reject it outright or ask for more information, which will slow down the process by a lot. It is very important to make sure that all the papers and information that are needed are given correctly and in full.
Average times for immigration programmes to be processed
By thinking about these things, applicants can get a better idea of how long it might take for their Canadian visa application to be processed. It’s important to be ready, fill out the application completely, and be patient during the process.
Here is an outline of some of the most common ways people come to the U.S., along with an estimate of how long it takes to process them. It is very important to keep in mind that processing times are only estimates and cannot be promised. Based on the usual processing times given by IRCC as of July 1, 2023, the following times are given.
Please keep in mind that the time it takes to process an application depends on whether it was sent electronically using the online procedure or on paper using the paper-based procedure. The times listed below show if there are any differences between online and paper forms.
It’s important to know that these times are not set in stone and can change based on things like the complexity of the case, the number of applications being handled, and other operational factors. For the most correct and up-to-date processing times, it is always best to look at the most recent information from IRCC.
By knowing these expected processing times and the difference between online and paper-based applications, you can get a general idea of how long it will take for the types of immigration you are interested in.
Related Article: 20 Reasons Why International Students, Including Pakistanis, Should Choose Canada for Higher Education
Express Entry
Express Entry is an immigration system that includes the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and some Provincial Nominee Programmes (PNP).
Before the pandemic, about 80% of Express Entry forms were taken care of within 6 months of being received. It is important to note that these working times do not include the time needed to submit an Express Entry profile, get an Invitation to Apply (ITA), and prepare the final application for submission.
Since working times can change over time, it’s best to check the IRCC’s official website for the most up-to-date information on how long it takes to process an Express Entry application right now. By checking the IRCC’s page often, you can get the most accurate and up-to-date information on working times.
Permit to Study
The time it takes to get a study permit can change a lot depending on where the applicant lives. The least amount of time it takes to get a study pass is about 8 weeks.
But people who apply from certain countries may have to wait closer to 17 weeks. It’s important to remember that the number of applications can also affect how long it takes to get a study visa.
If you apply close to the start of the school year in Canada, there is a chance that you will have to wait longer because there are more applications at that time. Visit the official website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to get the most up-to-date information on how long it takes to get a study pass.
On the IRCC website, you can find the most accurate and up-to-date information about how long it takes to process study visa applications.
Work Permit After Graduation
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a type of visa that extends a work permit. The amount of time it takes to process a PGWP application depends on how the application was sent in.
Whether you fill out your PGWP application online or by mail, it usually takes about 134 days to be finished. It’s important to keep in mind that this working time is just an average estimate that could change. The processing time may also be affected by things like how complicated your case is, how many files are being looked at at the same time, and other operational factors.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a page where you can find the most up-to-date information about how long it takes to process Post-Graduation Work Permits. By going to the IRCC’s website, you can get the most correct and up-to-date information about how long it takes to process PGWP applications. This will help you know how long it will take for your application right now.
Permanent Resident Card
Depending on the situation, the time it takes to get a Permanent Resident (PR) card can change. Here are how long it is expected to take to handle different situations:
- New PR Card: When someone applies for a new PR card, it usually takes about 36 days to get it. This is the amount of time it takes for the application to be handled and the new PR card to be sent out.
- Renewal or Replacement of PR Card: If you are renewing or replacing an old PR card, the working time is usually longer and can take up to 70 days. This is because the renewal or replacement entry needs to be checked and processed, which takes more time.
It’s important to keep in mind that these working times are estimates that could change. The real processing time can be affected by things like the number of applications being processed, how hard the case is, and other operational factors.
Visit the website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information on how long it takes to process PR cards. On the IRCC website, you can find the most up-to-date information about how long it takes to process PR card applications and make sure you have the most accurate and up-to-date estimates for your case.
Getting a permanent visa for a spouse
The time it takes to process an application to sponsor a spouse for permanent residency in Canada is about 16 months. Before, handling times depended on whether the spouse lived inside Canada (called “inland sponsorship”) or outside Canada (called “outland sponsorship”). Spousal support applications, on the other hand, now take between 12 and 16 months to process, which is pretty much the same for everyone.
It’s important to remember that these processing times are estimates and can change depending on a number of things, such as the complexity of the case, the number of applications being handled, and other operational factors.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) website is the best place to find the most correct and up-to-date information about how long it takes to process a spouse’s application for permanent residence. By going to the IRCC’s website, you can get the most up-to-date information about how long it takes to process applications for spouse sponsorship. This will give you the most accurate figures for your situation.
Visitor Visa
The amount of time it takes to get a Canadian visitor visa depends on where the application comes from and how it is sent. Here are some broad guidelines:
- Applications made inside Canada: If you apply for a visitor visa from inside Canada, both online and paper applications are usually handled within 10 to 27 days.
- Applications made outside of Canada: Processing times for visitor visa applications made from outside of Canada depend on the country where the person lives. Visit the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) page to find out how long it will take to process your application in your country.
It’s important to remember that the working times listed above are estimates that could change. The real processing time may be affected by things like the number of applications, the complexity of the case, and other operational factors.
Visit the IRCC’s website to get the most up-to-date and correct information about how long it takes to process visitor visa applications. You can get the most up-to-date information about processing times for visitor visas by going to the IRCC’s website. This will give you the most accurate estimates for your particular situation.
Last but not least, it’s important to know that the time it takes to move to Canada depends a lot on the facts of your case. The processing times listed above are not set in stone, and IRCC can change them at any time without warning.
What factors can affect the processing time of a Canadian immigration application
The processing time for a Canadian visa application can vary based on several factors, making it a unique and dynamic process. Some of the influential factors include:
- The specific rules and guidelines set by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at the time of application.
- The nature and intricacies of the job application involved in the visa request, as certain types of visas may require more thorough assessment.
- The geographical location where the application is being reviewed, as different processing centers may have varying workloads and priorities.
- The assigned immigration officer handling the application, as their efficiency and workload can affect the processing time.
- The type of visa application submitted, as each category might have different requirements and processing timelines.
- The completeness and accuracy of the information provided in the application, as any missing or unclear details could lead to delays.
- The efficiency of the government in handling existing applications in their queue, which can be influenced by various factors.
- The ease of verifying the information provided by the applicant, as complex background checks or verifications can extend the processing time.
- The responsiveness of the applicant in promptly addressing any additional questions or requests for information from the authorities.
- Unforeseen problems or events, such as a government strike or unexpected issues in the processing system, which can disrupt the usual processing times.
It’s essential to note that processing times are subject to change, and delays can occur due to a multitude of reasons. Applicants are encouraged to visit the official website of the Canadian government to obtain up-to-date information on the current processing times for visa applications.
Conclusion
People who want to move to Canada need to know how long it takes for different visa applications to be processed. Even though working times are estimates, they can change and depend on a number of things. Processing times can be affected by things like the applicant’s country of residence, the type of application, how full the application is, and how busy the office is. Keep up with the latest news from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and check their website for the most accurate and up-to-date working times. It’s important to keep in mind that working times are not set in stone and that each case may be different. By knowing about these things and adjusting their expectations properly, applicants can go through the immigration process with a realistic idea of how long it will take.
