Canadian Visa Processing Times
Many times when a foreign national is looking to immigrate to Canada, they want to know how long it will take to get there. Each visa has a different processing time and application process.
The processing time for Canadian Visas is defined as how long it takes the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process your application from the day that they receive it. This is otherwise known as CIC or IRCC processing times.
In 2022, there will be a major new strategy to shorten Canadian immigration processing timelines. Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, made the commitment at a news conference on January 31, 2022. Minister Fraser unveiled a slew of new initiatives aimed at shortening processing timelines for several of Canada’s most popular immigration programs.
*The visa processing times below are just an estimate. Due to COVID-19, these processing times may vary. Use the IRCC Processing Times tool to determine how long your Canada visa processing time may take.*
The IRCC is making improvements to help with the backlog of visa applications and to improve Canada’s Immigration processing times in 2022.
Factors that Can Increase Canada Visa Processing Time
According to the CIC, there are several items that can factor in how long it will take for your Canadian Visa. These include:
- Type of visa application
- Country of applicants residency
- Application complete and correctness
- How easily the applicant’s information can be confirmed
- How quickly IRCC can process applications that are already in the system
- How long an applicant takes to respond to additional requests or concerns
Express Entry Processing Time
6 months
The Express Entry Program includes the following streams: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
Most Express Entry applications are processed within six months from the date it is received. Before the six-month processing time begins the applicant must provide all the necessary documents and upload them to their individual Express Entry profile.
Learn more about the Express Entry Program.
PR Card Processing Time
13-27 days
Applying for a new PR Card can take only 13 days while renewing or replacing a PR card will take around 27 days.
Learn more about Canada PR Card
PR Card Renewal Processing Time
3 weeks-4 months
PR renewal processing time might take several weeks or even months. If you want to journey outside of Canada, you will want to consider renewing it before it expires.
Learn more about renewing your Permanent Residence card.
Canada Work Permit Processing Time
1-27 weeks
The Canadian work permit processing time is the one with the largest range. The Work Permit processing time completely depends on the completion of your application and the office you applied at. We have found that it can take between 1-27 weeks to process a Canadian Work Permit.
Learn more about Canadian Work Permit.
LMIA Processing Time
8-29 days
Canada is experiencing a large volume of LMIA applications in 2022, which can result in longer processing times and possible delays, especially seen in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Depending on which LMIA you apply for, it can take anywhere from 8-29 business days to process your application.
Learn more on Labor Market Impact Assessment.
Study Permit Processing Time
1-16 weeks
Just like work permits Canadian Study Permit Processing Times depend mostly on the applicant’s country of residence. Typically a Canadian study permit can be processed between 1-16 weeks.
Learn more on Canada Study Permit.
Canadian Citizenship Processing Time
1 year
A typical Canadian Citizenship grant processing time is 12 months/1 year. This means that from the day you submit your completed application it should take about one year until it is fully processed.
Learn more on Canadian Citizenship.
Canadian Visitor Visa Processing Time
12 days
Similar to work visas and study permits, a visitor visa processing time can depend on which country the applicant is applying from. Typically the time can vary from a couple of days to a few weeks for a Canada Visitor Visa processing time. If you apply from within Canada the processing time is only 12 days.
Learn more about Canadian Visitor Visa.
Canada Spousal Sponsorship Processing Time
12-36 months
The average processing time of a spousal sponsorship is approximately 12 months. However, depending on specific circumstances and regions, it may be shorter or as long as 36 months.
Learn more about Canadian Spousal Sponsorship.
SuperVisa Processing Time
3-8 weeks
Most applications for a super visa are processed within a few weeks or less but can take up to 8 weeks. Processing times vary depending on the visa office and the country you are applying from.
Learn more about Canadian Super Visa.
Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
2-3 months
When applying for a Canadian post-graduate work permit after your studies, you can expect to wait from 2 to 6 months. While waiting you are allowed to work if you applied for your PGWP before your student permit expired.
Learn more about Post-Graduate Work Permits.
Common Questions About Canada Visa Processing Times
How often are processing times updated?
Most processing times show how long it took to process applications in the past and are updated weekly.
These permanent resident programs have estimated processing times for new applications and are updated monthly:
- Sponsoring a parent or grandparent
- Economic immigration
- Provincial Nominees (excluding Express Entry)
- Skilled Workers (Quebec)
- Start-up visa
- Humanitarian and compassionate cases
The following programs show a commitment and are updated when new commitments are set:
- Electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- International Experience Canada (IEC)
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot
- Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Trades
- Federal Skilled Workers
- Provincial Nominees
- Canadian Experience Class
- Caregivers
- Sponsoring a spouse or a common-law or conjugal partner
When was the last time IRCC changed processing time estimations?
*Due to COVID-19, there have been multiple changes to certain visa processing times throughout 2020-2022. This does not include changes made to processing times during that time* In July 2018, IRCC opted to generate processing time estimates based on the number of applications currently being processed rather than historical processing time data.
The following immigration categories have been changed by the modifications to the processing time estimation system:
- Sponsoring of a parent or grandparent
- Economic immigration
- Provincial Nominees (excluding Express Entry)
- Skilled Workers (Quebec)
- Start-up visa
- Humanitarian and compassionate cases
What is the processing time for a Canadian passport?
The processing time for a passport application is determined by where and how the application is submitted, as well as the urgency of the request. The following are the processing times for passport applications submitted in Canada:
- 10 business days (for applications submitted in person at a passport office)
- 20 business days (for applications submitted in person at a Service Canada service point)
- 20 business days (for applications submitted by mail)
When applying for urgent or expedited service at a passport office, the application may be processed by the end of the following working day or may take up to nine business days.
If you are currently residing in the United States, you can apply by mail or in person at the nearest passport office or Service Canada location in Canada. For postal applications from the United States, the processing time is 20 business days.
All passport applications submitted outside Canada and the United States may take up to 20 business days. Applications made outside Canada may be submitted at the nearest Canadian government office abroad (i.e. embassy or consulate).
How Long it Take to get Visa After Biometric Canada?
After you have submitted your biometrics to the IRCC with your visa application it should take around 8 weeks to receive your valid visa. Each case can vary so always discuss with your immigration lawyer or consultant.
Do all Family Sponsorship applications have the same processing times?
No, the processing time for Family Sponsorship applications is determined by the family member being sponsored (spouse or common-law partner, dependent child, parents or grandparents, adopted child, or others) and his or her country of residency.
Why do certain application processing times fluctuate while others do not?
The quantity of applications submitted for each program determines processing timelines. If the quantity of applicants for a specific program remains constant, the processing durations remain constant.
However, some have a fluctuating number of applications throughout the year; in these circumstances, processing timeframes will fluctuate to reflect those fluctuations.
Find Out Canada Visa Processing Time From an Immigration Professional
Book a consultation today with an immigration professional! One of our Canadian immigration professionals will determine exactly how long it will take for you to receive your Canadian visa.
Use the IRCC Processing Times tool to determine how long your Canada visa processing time may take.