IRCC’s Immigration Processing Timelines in 2024
If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada or you’re already in the country with an application in process, you’ll need to stay informed about the latest processing timelines.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regularly updates the public on the timelines for various immigration categories and visa applications. In this post, we’ll provide an overview of the processing timelines as of January 2024.
IRCC’s Backlog
The current immigration backlog at IRCC is estimated at 1.1 million applications. As of the end of 2022, the total number of applications the IRCC had to process was about 2.1 million when the backlog is included.
Processing Timelines for Express Entry Economic Class Programs
For the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), IRCC estimates a processing time of 20 months, while the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) has a processing time of 30 months.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) has a processing time of 63 months, and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry has a processing time of 12 months.
For the Non-Express Entry PNP, the processing time is 21 months. For the Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW), the processing time is 19 months, and for the Quebec Business Class, it is 66 months.
The Federal Self-Employed program has a processing time of 41 months, while the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) has a processing time of 15 months.
Finally, the Start-Up Visa has a processing time of 32 months.
Processing Timelines for Temporary Residence Applications
For work permit applications submitted outside Canada, IRCC estimates the following processing times: 8 weeks for India, 32 weeks for Nigeria, 8 weeks for the United States, 69 weeks for Pakistan, 11 weeks for the Philippines, 40 weeks for UAE, 31 weeks for Bangladesh, 28 weeks for Sri Lanka, and 7 weeks for the United Kingdom.
For work permit applications submitted inside Canada, online applications have a processing time of 169 days, while paper-based applications take 61 days.
For study permit applications, the processing time is 9 weeks for applications submitted outside Canada and 4 weeks for those submitted inside Canada.
Study permit extension applications submitted online take 165 days to process, while paper-based applications take 145 days.
Processing Timelines for Family Sponsorship Programs
For spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada, the processing time is 17 months. For those living inside Canada, it’s 13 months, and for Parents or Grandparents PR, it’s 38 months.
Processing Timelines for Visiting Visa Applications
For visitors from outside Canada, IRCC estimates the following processing times: 130 days for India,
347 days for Nigeria,
40 days for the United States,
327 days for Pakistan,
96 days for the Philippines,
245 days for UAE,
225 days for Bangladesh,
190 days for Sri Lanka,
and 221 days for the United Kingdom.
So, for visiting visa applications submitted inside Canada, online applications have a processing time of 21 days, while paper-based applications take 41 days.
Parents and Grandparents Super Visa applications take 132 days to process for India, 228 days for Nigeria, 215 days for the United States, 277 days for Pakistan, 146 days for the Philippines, 236 days for UAE, 202 days for Bangladesh, 228 days for Sri Lanka, and 157 days for United Kingdom
It is important to note that these processing times are only estimates and actual processing times may vary. IRCC updates the processing times on a regular basis, so it is important to check the latest processing times before submitting an application.
It is also important to ensure that all required documents are submitted with the application to avoid delays. Failure to provide all necessary documentation can result in the application being returned or refused.
In addition to checking processing times, applicants can also use IRCC’s online tool, Come to Canada, to determine their eligibility for various immigration programs. The tool provides a personalized guide on the steps an individual needs to take to immigrate to Canada, including information on required documents, processing times, and fees.
Overall, if you are planning to immigrate to Canada or apply for a visa, it is important to stay up to date on the latest processing times and requirements. This will help ensure that your application is processed as smoothly and efficiently as possible.