Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently revised their processing times for various immigration applications. Keeping up with these updates is essential for applicants to plan and manage their immigration journey effectively. Here’s a detailed overview of the most recent processing times across different immigration categories as of September 2024.
Table of Contents
- Overview of Processing Time Updates
- Processing Times for PR Cards and Citizenship
- Family Sponsorship Processing Times (Updated Monthly)
- Economic Immigration Processing Times
- Temporary Residency Processing Times (Updated Weekly)
Overview of Processing Time Updates
As of September 2024, IRCC has updated processing times for various applications. Starting from May 2024, IRCC began providing monthly updates on processing times for citizenship applications, family sponsorship, and economic immigration. Meanwhile, processing times for business immigration, temporary residency applications, and permanent resident (PR) cards are updated weekly. These updates help applicants gauge how long it might take to get a decision on their applications.
Processing Times for PR Cards and Citizenship
Citizenship (Updated Monthly)
- Citizenship Grant: 7 months (unchanged since July 31 but reduced by 1 month since June 3)
- Citizenship Certificate (Proof of Citizenship): 3 months (no change since June 3)
- Renunciation of Citizenship: 16 months (increased by 3 months since July 31)
- Search of Citizenship Records: 11 months (reduced by 2 months since July 31)
PR Cards (Updated Weekly)
- New PR Card: 25 days (reduced by 3 days since August 20 and by 17 days since July 30)
- PR Card Renewals: 71 days (reduced by 1 day since September 4 and by 4 days since June 25)
Family Sponsorship Processing Times (Updated Monthly)
Family sponsorship processing times are influenced by the number of applications received and the processing capacity. As of July 2024, the updated processing times are:
- Spouse or Common-law Partner:
- Outside Canada (excluding Quebec): 10 months (no change)
- Outside Canada (Quebec): 35 months (increased by 3 months since July 3)
- Inside Canada (excluding Quebec): 13 months (increased by 2 months since July 31)
- Inside Canada (Quebec): 27 months (increased by 3 months since July 31)
- Parents or Grandparents:
- Outside Quebec: 24 months (no change)
- Quebec: 48 months (no change)
Economic Immigration Processing Times
Economic immigration processing times vary by program and are updated both monthly and weekly:
Express Entry
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 5 months (no change)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 5 months (no change)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): No updates since March 1, 2023
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry: 6 months (no change)
Non-Express Entry
- Non-Express Entry PNP: 12 months (increased by 1 month since July 31)
- Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW): 9 months (no change)
- Quebec Business Class: 47 months (increased by 1 month since July 31)
- Federal Self-Employed: 48 months (increased by 1 month since July 31)
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): 7 months (no change)
- Start-Up Visa: 40 months (increased by 2 months since July 31)
Temporary Residency Processing Times (Updated Weekly)
Temporary residency processing times reflect the majority of applications processed, excluding biometric processing times. Here’s a snapshot of current processing times:
Visitor Visa Outside Canada (Varies by Country)
- India: 83 days (increased by 7 days since September 4 and by 20 days since August 20)
- Nigeria: 171 days (reduced by 1 day since September 4 and by 4 days since August 20)
- United States: 37 days (reduced by 3 days since September 4, but increased by 1 day since August 20)
- Pakistan: 35 days (reduced by 3 days since September 4 and by 12 days since August 20)
- Philippines: 24 days (reduced by 1 day since September 4)
Visitor Visa Inside Canada (TRV)
- Online: 26 days (no change in last 2 weeks, but increased by 1 day since August 20)
- Visitor Visa Extension: 110 days (increased by 1 day since September 4, but reduced by 5 days since August 27)
Parents or Grandparents Super Visa (Varies by Country)
- India: 77 days (increased by 6 days since September 4 and by 9 days since August 20)
- Nigeria: 66 days (reduced by 1 day since September 4, but increased by 4 days since August 27)
- United States: 237 days (no change since September 4, but increased by 33 days since August 27)
- Pakistan: 149 days (increased by 5 days since September 4 and no change since August 27)
- Philippines: 108 days (no change since August 27, but increased by 1 day since August 20)
Study Permit Outside Canada (Varies by Country)
- India: 5 weeks (no change since August 27, but increased by 1 week since July 24)
- Nigeria: 8 weeks (increased by 1 week since August 27 and by 2 weeks since August 20)
- United States: 12 weeks (no change since August 27, but increased by 3 weeks since July 24)
- Pakistan: 9 weeks (increased by 1 week since August 27)
- Philippines: 7 weeks (no change since August 27, but reduced by 1 week since July 24)
Study Permits
- Inside Canada: 13 weeks (increased by 1 week since September 4 and by 2 weeks since August 14, and by 3 weeks since July 24)
- Study Permit Extension: 96 days (increased by 7 days since September 4 and by 26 days since August 20)
Work Permit Outside Canada (Varies by Country)
- India: 27 weeks (increased by 1 week since September 4 and by 5 weeks since August 27, and by 7 weeks since August 20)
- Nigeria: 15 weeks (increased by 1 week since September 4 and by 2 weeks since August 20)
- United States: 16 weeks (increased by 1 week since August 27, but overall no change since August 20)
- Pakistan: 8 weeks (reduced by 1 week since September 4 and by 2 weeks since August 27)
- Philippines: 10 weeks (increased by 2 weeks since August 27 and by 3 weeks since August 14)
Prediction: What To Expect from Next Express Draw, All We Know So Far
New Ontario Express Entry Draw: 1,269 PR Invitations Sent Out!
Work Permit Inside Canada
- Online: 123 days (increased by 4 days since September 4 and 6 days since August 20)
Other Temporary Residency Categories
- International Experience Canada (Current Season): 5 weeks (no change since August 27, but reduced by 1 week since August 20)
- Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP): 260 days (increased by 88 days since September 4 and by 138 days since August 20)
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): 5 minutes
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is advisable to regularly check the IRCC website or consult with an immigration professional. Staying informed will help you set realistic expectations and prepare for your immigration process.