Navigating the visa process for Canada can be daunting and confusing if you’re not sure what to expect. The main concern for most people seeking a Canada visitor visa or any other type is how long it’ll take their application to be approved. The processing time for a Canada visa varies greatly because there are certain stipulations for every visa they offer.
The processing time for visas in Canada will vary depending on the visa you’re applying for, where your home country is, seasonal fluctuations in application volume, and other factors like whether the application was completed correctly. Regardless of the visa you’re applying for, knowing how long you’ll likely have to wait can help ease your mind during the process.
Once you have your application submitted, it’s simply a waiting game. We’re here to help you better understand processing times and how to check what the estimated processing time is.
Factors Affecting Processing Times
There are several factors that will influence how long it takes the visa office to approve your application. The processing time will vary based on factors like:
- Visa Type: Certain visa types will take longer to process than others.
- Application Completeness: Incomplete applications will cause the visa office to take longer to approve your application, or they’ll deny it, meaning you’ll have to start all over again.
- Applicant’s Country of Residence: Canada takes longer to process applications for certain countries for different reasons.
- Accuracy of Application Information: Providing accurate information on your application is essential to preventing delays or details of a visa application.
- Seasonal Fluctuations: Visa applications might take longer to process during peak travel times, like before school starts or in the summer.
- Additional Requirements: Visas that require extra information and documentation, like medical examinations and biometrics might take longer to process.
- Current Application Volume: The overall application volume that Canada is processing will impact visas in all categories.
Processing Times for Different Visa Types
The processing time for your visa will vary depending on the type of visa and your specific application. Still, understanding the average processing time for different types of visas can be beneficial:
- Single-Entry Visitor Visa: 14 to 30 days
- Multi-Entry Visitor Visa: 14 to 30 days
- Employer-Specific Work Visa: Four to 19 weeks
- Open Work Permit: Four to 19 weeks
- Study Permit: Three to 13 weeks; shorter for students whose home country is eligible for Student Direct Stream (SDS)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: Six to eight months from the date of invitation to apply
- Federal Skilled Trades Program: Six to eight months from the date of invitation to apply
- Canadian Experience Class: Six to eight months from the date of invitation to apply
- Family Sponsorship of a Spouse: 12 to 16 months
- Family Sponsorship of a Grandparent: 20 to 24 months
- Family Sponsorship of a Dependent Child: Six to eight months
- Permanent Residency via Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 15 to 1`9 months after nomination
- Permanent Residency via Startup Visa: Between 12 and 16 months
How to Check Visa Processing Times
Whether you applied for a work permit, visitor visa, Super Visa, or another type, the IRCC knows that it’s important you have the option to know the timeframe for how long they expect to process applications. They provide an online tool on their website, and you can use it by:
- Visiting the IRCC website at www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html
- Clicking on “check application processing times.”
- Selecting the visa type you applied for from the dropdown menu
- Entering your country of residence
Once you do this, you’ll see the estimated processing time for your specific type of visa. It’s there to provide an estimate so it’s important to remember that it might take less time or it might take more. These times are updated on a weekly basis and can change for any reason. Just because the processing time shows one thing doesn’t mean it’s how long it’ll take for your visa.
Expedited Processing Options
In some cases, you might be eligible for expedited processing. Not all visas are eligible, and not every person is. The expedited processing options Canada offers are:
- Student Direct Stream (SDS): This is available to students looking for a study permit from certain countries, such as Senegal, Vietnam, China, Morocco, Pakistan, India, and the Philippines. Applications can be processed within 20 days.
- Global Talent Stream: Skilled workers in specific occupations can utilize Global Talent Stream to secure a work permit faster. Applications are usually processed within two weeks.
- Urgent Processing Requests: Regardless of the visa type you’re applying for, you can request urgent processing at the IRCC. This can be done for time-sensitive business travel, a job offer with a close start date, and family emergencies. You’ll need to contact the visa office directly to request this and provide proof of urgency.
Tips for Reducing Processing Times
For the most part, your visa application processing time is out of your control. That being said, there are things that you can do to help make sure there are no delays in processing:
- Complete Your Application Correctly: Make sure that you complete the application correctly and that you’re not missing any documents that can delay the application process.
- Response Promptly: If someone tries to contact you about your application, responding promptly will help you avoid delays.
- Provide Accurate Information: Double-check all the information on your application to make sure it’s accurate. Wrong information can cause a delay or your application to be denied.
- Apply as Early as Possible: Submit your visa application as early as possible to avoid delays as it gets close to your travel date.
- Keep Your Contact Information Updated: Make sure your contact information is accurate in case they need to contact you about any questions regarding your application.
- Submit Clear Documents: When you submit your documents, make sure they’re easy to read because any issue with reading or validating the documents can cause a delay in your visa approval.
- Submit an Online Application: You can apply for visas with physical paperwork, but applying online through the IRCC portal or a Visa Application Center (VAC) tends to mean faster processing times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my visa processing time exceeds the average?
If your application is taking longer than the processing time states, you can check your application status to see if there are any updates preventing it from moving forward, contact the IRCC support center for assistance, or submit a processing request.
How often are processing times updated by IRCC?
The processing times are updated by IRCC on a weekly basis. It’s important to remember that these times are estimates and can change based on different factors and without notice.
Can I track the status of my visa application?
Yes, you can track your application status online via the IRCC website. You’ll need your application number.