Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released its latest processing times for various immigration applications as of September 4, 2024. This comprehensive update provides crucial information for applicants across different immigration categories, helping them plan their journey to Canada more effectively.
Key Updates at a Glance
- Citizenship grant processing time remains steady at 7 months
- New PR card processing time reduced to 25 days
- Significant changes in processing times for various temporary residency applications
Citizenship and PR Card Processing Times
Citizenship Applications
IRCC updates citizenship processing times monthly. Here are the latest figures:
| Application Type | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship Grant | 7 months | No change since July 31 |
| Citizenship Certificate | 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 |
Permanent Resident (PR) Cards
PR card processing times are updated weekly:
| Card Type | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| New PR Card | 25 days | Reduced by 3 days since August 20 |
| PR Card Renewals | 72 days | No change since July 30 |
Family Sponsorship Processing Times
Family sponsorship processing times are updated monthly. The latest figures are:
Spouse or Common-law Partner Sponsorship
| Application Type | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Sponsorship
| Application Type | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Quebec | 24 months | No change |
| Quebec | 48 months | No change |
Economic Immigration Processing Times
Economic immigration processing times are updated both monthly and weekly, depending on the program.
Express Entry Programs
| Program | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Programs
| Program | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Temporary residency processing times are updated weekly. Here are the latest figures for some key countries:
Visitor Visas Outside Canada
| Country | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| India | 76 days | Increased by 6 days since August 27 |
| Nigeria | 172 days | Reduced by 3 days since August 27 |
| United States | 40 days | Increased by 5 days since August 20 |
| Pakistan | 38 days | Reduced by 2 days since August 27 |
| Philippines | 25 days | Reduced by 1 day |
Study Permits Outside Canada
| Country | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| India | 5 weeks | No change since August 27 |
| Nigeria | 8 weeks | Increased by 1 week since August 27 |
| United States | 12 weeks | No change since August 27 |
| Pakistan | 9 weeks | Increased by 1 week since August 27 |
| Philippines | 7 weeks | No change since August 27 |
Work Permits Outside Canada
| Country | Processing Time | Change |
|---|---|---|
| India | 26 weeks | Increased by 4 weeks since August 27 |
| Nigeria | 14 weeks | Reduced by 1 week since August 27 |
| United States | 16 weeks | Increased by 1 week since August 27 |
| Pakistan | 9 weeks | Reduced by 1 week since August 27 |
| Philippines | 10 weeks | Increased by 2 weeks since August 27 |
Other Notable Processing Times
- Visitor Visa Inside Canada (TRV): 26 days (online)
- Visitor Visa Extension: 109 days (online)
- Study Permit Inside Canada: 12 weeks
- Study Permit Extension: 89 days
- Work Permit Inside Canada: 119 days (online)
- International Experience Canada (Current Season): 5 weeks
- Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP): 172 days
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): 5 minutes
Impact on Applicants
These processing times significantly impact applicants’ planning and expectations. Notably:
- Citizenship applicants can expect a consistent processing time, allowing for better preparation.
- PR card applicants are seeing faster processing, particularly for new cards.
- Family sponsorship applicants face longer wait times, especially for Quebec-based applications.
- Economic immigrants through Express Entry can generally expect faster processing compared to other streams.
- Temporary residents (visitors, students, workers) are experiencing varying processing times, with some countries seeing significant increases.
Tips for Applicants
- Stay informed: Regularly check the IRCC website for the most up-to-date processing times.
- Plan ahead: Factor in these processing times when making travel or relocation plans.
- Ensure completeness: Submit all required documents to avoid delays in processing.
- Consider alternatives: If applicable, explore faster processing streams or programs.
- Seek professional advice: Consult with immigration professionals for personalized guidance.
Conclusion
IRCC’s commitment to transparency through regular updates helps applicants navigate the immigration process more effectively. While some categories are seeing improvements in processing times, others face longer waits. Staying informed and prepared is key to a successful immigration journey to Canada.
