As of November 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has provided updated processing times for various immigration applications.
These updates are critical for individuals navigating Canadaโs immigration system, as they shed light on the current timelines and potential backlogs in different categories.
Citizenship Applications
The latest processing times for citizenship applications are as follows:
The processing time for citizenship grants has increased by one month, likely reflecting higher application volumes or resource constraints.
In contrast, the search of citizenship records has improved slightly, decreasing by one month, which may indicate better handling of requests or an optimization in records management.
The citizenship certificate and renunciation of citizenship categories remain unchanged, reflecting stability in these processes despite their complexity.
Permanent Residency (PR) Cards
Processing times for PR cards have been updated as follows:
Processing times for new PR cards remain consistent, with applications being processed efficiently within 25 days. However, PR card renewals have shown significant improvement, reducing the timeline by nine days compared to last month, likely due to better resource allocation or improved workflows.
Family Sponsorship Programs
The updated processing times for family sponsorship programs are outlined below:
The spousal sponsorship program for applicants outside Canada remains stable at 10 months, while sponsorship within Canada has improved, reducing the timeline by one month to 12 months.
However, in Quebec, delays have increased for outside sponsorships, now requiring 36 months.
The parents and grandparents sponsorship categories remain consistent, although processing in Quebec is significantly longer (48 months) due to additional provincial regulations.
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Economic Immigration Programs
Processing times for economic immigration programs are as follows:
Processing times for the Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker Program remain consistent at five months, reflecting continued efficiency.
However, delays have been observed in Quebec Skilled Workers and the Atlantic Immigration Program, with both timelines increasing slightly.
Notably, the Quebec Business Class category has seen a significant delay, increasing by nine months to a total of 58 months, indicating severe backlogs.
Temporary Residency Applications
Visitor Visa Processing Times
Processing times for visitor visas vary by country:
For visitor visa applications inside Canada, the online processing time is 19 days (reduced by 5 days).
Processing times for visitor visas have shown slight improvements for applicants from India, the United States, and the Philippines.
However, timelines for applicants from Pakistan and Nigeria remain long, with Nigeria seeing no improvement at 175 days.
Super Visa Processing Times
Processing times for Super Visa applications by country are as follows:
Super visa processing has worsened across most regions, with notable increases for applicants from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
This could reflect growing demand or processing challenges, while timelines for U.S. applicants remain unchanged.
Study Permits
Processing times for study permits are detailed below:
Applicants from India and the Philippines have benefited from improved processing times for study permits, with timelines reduced by five weeks and one week, respectively.
However, delays for extensions have significantly increased, now requiring 162 days, indicating a growing backlog in this category.
New regulations for international students have taken effect: https://t.co/NBySk6Bseq
โข If youโre eligible, you can now work up to 24 hours per week off campus while your classes are in session.
โข If you want to change learning institutions, youโll need to apply and beโฆโ IRCC (@CitImmCanada) November 20, 2024
Work Permits
Processing times for work permits vary significantly based on location:
Processing for work permits outside Canada has improved for applicants from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, with the Philippines seeing the most notable reduction (three weeks).
However, processing times for the United States have increased significantly by five weeks.
Inside Canada, delays continue to rise, requiring 167 days for work permit applications.
Other Temporary Residency Programs
Program
Processing Time
Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP)
8 days (reduced by 201 days)
International Experience Canada
5 weeks (unchanged)
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
5 minutes (unchanged)
The Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP) has seen a remarkable improvement, reducing processing times by 201 days, likely due to prioritization of critical labor needs.
International Experience Canada and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) remain consistent, reflecting stable and efficient systems for these programs.
