Canada Updates Immigration Application Processing Times

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced new processing times for various immigration applications as of September 4, 2024.

These updates, shared by Immigration News Canada, cover business immigration, temporary residency, and permanent resident (PR) cards. They are updated weekly to give applicants a better idea of how long their applications might take.

Since May 2024, IRCC has been releasing monthly updates for citizenship applications, family sponsorships, and economic immigration to help applicants manage their immigration process more easily.

Temporary Residency Processing Times

Temporary residency processing times vary by country and are updated weekly. Here’s the latest information:

• Visitor Visa: Processing times depend on the country. For example, India takes 76 days, while Nigeria takes 172 days.
• Study Permit: Processing times range from five weeks for applicants from India to 12 weeks for those from the United States.
• Work Permit (Outside Canada):
• India: 26 weeks, which is four weeks longer than in late August and six weeks longer than earlier in August.
• Nigeria: 14 weeks, which is one week shorter than in late August but one week longer than in mid-August.
• United States: 16 weeks, which is one week longer than in late August.
• Pakistan: Nine weeks, reduced by one week since late August.
• Philippines: 10 weeks, which is two weeks longer than in late August and three weeks longer than mid-August.

PR Cards and Citizenship Processing Times

For permanent residency and citizenship applications, these are the current processing times:

• Citizenship Grants: Seven months, unchanged since July but one month faster than in June.
• Citizenship Certificates: Three months, steady since June.
• Renunciation of Citizenship: 16 months, three months longer than in July.
• Citizenship Records: 11 to 13 months, reduced by two months since July.
• PR Cards: The time for new PR cards has dropped to 25 days from 28 days in July. Renewals still take 72 days.

Family Sponsorship Processing Times

Family sponsorship processing times are updated monthly. As of July 2024:

• Spouse or Common-law Partner (Outside Canada, excluding Quebec): 10 months.
• Spouse or Common-law Partner (from Quebec): 35 months.
• Spouse or Common-law Partner (Inside Canada, excluding Quebec): 13 months.
• Spouse or Common-law Partner (Inside Canada, Quebec): 27 months.
• Parents or Grandparents: 24 months outside Quebec, 48 months inside Quebec.

Economic Immigration Processing Times

Processing times for economic immigration programs vary and are updated monthly or weekly:

• Express Entry: Both the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) take five months.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: No changes since March 2023.
• Non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 12 months, one month longer than in July.
• Quebec Skilled Workers: Nine months.
• Quebec Business Class: 47 months, one of the longest waiting times.

Applicants should regularly check the IRCC website for the latest updates and consult with immigration professionals for advice on their individual cases.