IRCC Application Processing Time Explained

How we calculated this processing time

This processing time tells you how long it took us to process most complete applications in the past.

It does not include

• the time it takes to send an application between a visa application centre and our office
• the time you need to give your biometrics

Your processing time will start the day we receive your complete application and end when we make a decision. It may vary depending on how many applications we receive.

Your application may be delayed or returned if it’s not complete.

How long will it take to process my application?

We can’t tell you exactly how long it will take us to process your application. Each application is different and takes a different amount of time to process.

You can check the processing times to find out how long it takes us to process most applications.

Why has Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) switched from business days to calendar days to communicate its service standards?

We have switched from business days to calendar days so that service standards are clear and easy to understand. Calendar days are more meaningful. Now, you do not need to account for public holidays or weekends when looking at service standards. Also, using calendar days makes it easier for us to plan and track its processes fairly and transparently.

When does my processing time start?

Your processing time starts the day we receive your complete application and ends when we make a decision.

If you apply by mail, the processing time starts when your application arrives in our mailroom.

If you apply online or in-person, it starts when you submit your application.

What is the difference between processing times and service standards?
We have 2 kinds of processing times:

• historical processing times
• forward-looking processing times

Historical processing times tell you how long it took to process 80% of applications in the past. We update these weekly.

Forward-looking processing times tell you how long we expect it will take us to process an application if we receive it today. We update these monthly.

Service standards are our commitment to process your application in a certain amount of time under normal circumstances. They aren’t updated regularly. Not all programs have service standards.

How are processing times calculated?

Most of our processing times are historical. This means we base them on how long it took to process 80% of applications in the past.

Your processing time starts the day we receive your complete application and ends when we make a decision on it.

Forward-looking processing times (New)

On May 1, 2024, some types of applications switched to forward-looking (expected) processing times. This means we calculate them using

• the total number of that application type we have to process
• the amount we expect to process every month

The application types showing forward-looking processing times are

• Canadian experience class (Express Entry)
• Provincial Nominees Program (Express Entry and non-Express Entry)
• federal skilled workers (Express Entry)
• Quebec skilled workers
• spouse or common law partner (living inside or outside Canada)
• parents or grandparents
• citizenship grants
• citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)

If you apply by mail
The processing time starts when your complete application arrives in our mail room.

If you apply online or in person
The processing time starts when you submit your application.

Website:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html

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