As of September 4th, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced revised processing timelines for a number of immigration applications.
The processing times for business immigration, temporary residency, and permanent resident (PR) cards are updated on a weekly basis, per Immigration News Canada.
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These revisions are meant to give applicants a more accurate idea of how long their applications would take to complete and to help them manage their immigration processes.
The IRCC has been providing monthly updates on the typical processing periods for applications for economic immigration, family sponsorships, and citizenship since May 2024.
Temporary Residency Processing Times
Temporary residency processing times is reported to be updated weekly:
- Visitor Visa varies by country, with significant changes including 76 days for India and 172 days for Nigeria.
- Study Permit processing times is said to range from five weeks for India to 12 weeks for the United States.
Work Permit Outside Canada varies by country. According to the reports presented:
- The processing duration in India is 26 weeks. which has grown since August 27 by four weeks and since August 20 by six weeks.
- Nigeria now takes 14 weeks to process work permits. Since August 27, this time has dropped by one week, while since August 20, it has climbed by one week.
- The processing duration in the US is sixteen weeks. Since August 27th, this has grown by one week.
- Nine weeks is the processing time for Pakistan. Since August 27th, this time has decreased by one week, and since August 20th, it has remained the same.
- Philippines: The processing time is ten weeks; since August 27 and August 14, the time has increased by two and three weeks, respectively.
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Processing Times for PR Cards and Citizenship
The processing of grants for citizenship takes seven months. This time is one month shorter than it was on June 3rd, but it has remained the same since July 31.
- The processing time for citizenship certificates is still three months; this hasn’t changed since June 3.
- The current process for renunciating citizenship takes sixteen months. It is alleged that since July 31st, when the processing time was shorter, this time has grown by three months.
- Processing citizenship records currently takes between 11 and 13 months, down from 13 to 15 months prior to July 31st.
- According to estimates, the average time it takes to issue citizenship petitions is now seven months, which is one month less than it was on June 3.
The processing period for new PR cards is now 25 days, compared to 28 days in late July. Renewals reportedly continue to be 72 days.
Family Sponsorship Processing Times
Reports enlighten that family sponsorship processing times are updated each month, and depend on the number of applications and available resources. 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 and 48 months within Quebec.
Economic Immigration Processing Times
Further reports provide that “Economic Immigration Processing Times are updated both monthly and weekly, depending on the program.”
- For Express Entry, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) each take 5 months, with no changes reported.
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program has remained unchanged since March 1st, 2023.
- Non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) takes 12 months; up by one month since July 31st.
The processing time for Quebec Business Class is 47 months, while it is nine months for Quebec Skilled Workers.
The IRCC website is a good place to check for updates on processing times and specific cases, or applicants can speak with an immigration professional.
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