“How long does the immigration process take?” is one of the most common questions I get from anyone considering applying for permanent residence in Canada. There are no hard and fast rules, just average processing times.
So this is what you can expect and this is what you should do to make sure your application is processed as fast as possible (don’t expect miracles, though!)
How do you define “processing time”?
“Processing time” should be understood as the period of time that starts when the Government of Canada receives your complete application to the day when a decision is made.
Remember that it takes time—a few weeks or even a few months—to gather supporting documents and prepare your application.
How long will it take for my permanent residence application to be processed?
First, it depends on the immigration category:
- In the Canadian Experience Class, the official processing time is 6 months.
- In the skilled workers (Quebec) category, processing time is 15-17 months, mostly because settling in Quebec adds an extra step—getting a CSQ.
- As for family sponsorship, processing time is 12 months for a spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada or outside Canada.
Keep in mind that the Government of Canada is “committed” to processing most applications within the given timeframe but there’s no guarantee it’s going to happen. Some applications are processed faster (four months for mine in 2005!) and some take years.
Check the processing time for your immigration category to know what to expect.
Why is it taking so long?
First, reviewing a permanent residence application is a long process. Supporting documents must be checked and applications must be assessed carefully. Fair enough. After all, a life-changing decision is being made.
Other factors may also affect average processing time:
How busy the local visa office is
Some regions of the world receive more applications. Not every country has a Canadian visa office and as a result, a central visa office may be responsible for several countries or regions. For example, the Paris visa office is responsible for processing applications from Algeria, Belgium, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Tunisia. The same goes for the London office, it handles applications from Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Yemen.
How complex your background check is
A background check is conducted on all permanent resident applicants to prevent individuals who pose a risk to Canada’s security from entering the country—this is why you have to provide police certificate(s). Military service, foreign trips, membership in political organizations, etc., can slow down the process. Some foreign countries also cooperate better with Canada than others.
What you can do to help speed up the process
Fill out your application properly
It sounds obvious, but a lot of people think “oh, I’m not sure what to say here… they will figure it out.” No, “they” won’t. Your application will be sent back and time will be wasted. It may take you a week or two months to gather all the documents and fill out your application, but trust me, it will make life easier in the long run.
Provided all required supporting documents
If, for some reason, you really can’t provide a document, send a letter explaining why. I did that for our marriage certificate after learning it would take at least six months to receive a copy. I sent my application and explained why I would add the certificate later—it was accepted.
Provide update if anything changes in your life
Applications can take years to be processed so don’t forget to contact your visa office if you move, get married, have a child, etc.
Choose your immigration category wisely
Make sure you have enough points to apply in the skilled worker category. If you apply in the sponsorship category, make sure you have enough proof that the relationship is genuine. Provide plenty of supporting documents.
If you can, choose your visa office
Some visa offices are busier than others. If you apply outside Canada, unfortunately, you must apply in the country you live in. But if you’re already in Canada, you can apply from within or from outside Canada. For instance, I had the choice between sending my application to Buffalo, NY or to Paris. At the time, Buffalo was extremely busy and I was advised to let Paris handle my application—it paid off, a decision was made only four months later.
Only contact your visa office when you are past the average processing time
The Government of Canada often lets you know how long a specific step will take—3 to 6 months, 5 to 7 months, etc. If you are past the average processing time, you can contact your visa office for updates. I did it twice, once in person at the Canadian embassy in Paris (for my permanent residence application) and once on the phone (for my citizenship application). Both times, my application status was checked and I received news shortly after.
However, wait patiently if you’re still within average processing times.
Keep in mind these two myths
Immigrating through the Quebec process is faster
The permanent residence process is a bit different if you’re going to settle in Quebec. Many French speakers think it’s faster and easier to apply through Quebec regardless of where they will end up living in Canada. It may have been true decades ago but nowadays, it adds an extra step (the CSQ application) and there’s quite a backlog.
An immigration lawyer can speed up the process
No, they can’t. A good, honest immigration representative will always tell you that they can’t speed up the process. The only thing they can do is make sure your application is properly and completely filled out.
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I am a Nigerian, do not know anyone in Canada but I sincerely want to migrate to Canada how do I go about this without connecting through an agent. Can the procedure be done single handedly?
Yes, absolutely. Most people handle the paperwork alone. You need to research your options, check out http://www.cic.gc.ca and you can see if you are eligible.
Hello,
It is very kind of you to share your experience and give that much of insightful information and recommendation to others.
I would like your advice please as I have applied for a Permanent residence through the skilled worker program before the express entry program was introduced. Unfortunately, my application was being processed at that time and I was told that Express entry applicants will be given more priority over skilled worker programs. My application was received on December 2014 and the CIC sent it to the London visa office in 29 of Jan 2015 to be validated.
Till now my application is showing as in process and being processed by the london visa office. I definitely sure that I exceeded the average waiting time. Therefore, I tried to contact the visa office in London through their email ldnimmigration@international.gc.ca many times but I didn’t receive any answer on the status of my application
I was hoping if you can provide any useful information why applications take that much time and in my situation how can I get any response from the visa office in london responsible to processing those applications?
Nour
Hi,
I’m sorry to hear that but I can’t add anything helpful. Processing times are only average and I’m guessing the London visa office is busy. There isn’t much to do but wait.
I’m an American citizen and Canada is one of my choices to move. I filled out a survey and some lawyer from a website not connected to the CIC informed me that my best bet would be to have a job lined up first. If I do that, since I’m an American can I apply for things when I get there? Would that NAFTA allow that?
Of course, I have other options opened.
I don’t know much about the specific of NAFTA regarding immigration, but as far as I know, unless you are invited to come over for a specific job or role, Americans apply for permanent residence like everybody else.
I would disagree with the lawyer, it’s incredibly difficult to secure a job if you aren’t always in Canada with a work visa or the permanent residence. This doesn’t apply to a few specific fields though, I’m talking in general.
Your best bet is to see if you qualify as a skilled worker and all the info is online, cic.gc.ca.
hi,
I applied for Canadian study permit. the average processing time for London office is 2wks. mine will be 1month next week. should I contact them?
Hard to say, it depends on you. Because average processing times are just that, average, not a guarantee.
Hi,
I heard that rules got change and now it is taking quite long time 12 to 18 months and more. Is it true?
Depends on your visa office but yes, as a general rule I do find processing times are on average longer than they used to be. More applicants too, I think…
Hi zhu
Im from Philippines and im working here in taiwan, actually my mom is in canada right now and she want me to go there too, actually i already done my medical last APRIL 2016 and im waiting for my visa request from immigration, and my question is how long is the processing time?
Thanks
I really can’t tell, it depends on your case and on the visa office.
Hi Zhu!
Thanks for this informative blog. I just want to ask, I’m waiting for my Canadian visa to arrive and it really takes so long. I’ve been waiting for 6 months already while my friends who process the same date as mine got their visas in just 2 weeks! I sent an email (on the 5th month) about the whereabouts about my visa and they answered me to wait for another 90-120 days , OMG! So, that would be around 10 months of waiting for eternity! If they would release that long, why don’t they have alternatives in which they would return my passport, because in this case, they took me my privilege to travel because my passport was stock in the embassy! Can I file a complain after this?
I don’t know the complaint process so I can’t advise you. I don’t even know what kind of visa you applied for, but generally, timelines depend on your specific application so as tempting as it is, you can’t really compare yours to other people. Keeping your passport for 10 months wouldn’t make any sense though, and I’ve never heard of this happening. Is that for a tourist visa?
how long does it take to get you are visa when you are immigrating to Canada from India
You can check the timeline to have a general idea but your question is way too broad.
Hello,
The current status of mon projet quebec after payment processing is showing as “WAITING FOR TREATMENT”. I am submitted my file on 13th june 2016. what does it mean? Should I start gathering documents according to the list available on immigration website or should I wait for the PERSONALISED CHECKLIST? how much time do they take to send checklist? anybody who got his checklist ?
Your help will be highly appreciated.
Thank you
I have no idea. I think it means just that, your file hasn’t been processed yet. That said, it wouldn’t hurt to start gathering the documents you know you will need!
Hi,
I have applied under Canadian Express Entry and i received my PR invitation. On that , there are certain documents to submit ,such as medical report, police clearance etc. I have submitted all requested documents along with the processing fee. My question how is, how log it will take to Scrutinize my application and offer the PR letter.
regards,
What do you mean by “PR invitation”?
You can check average processing times online, they depend on your application and on how busy the visa office is.
Hi, I’m from Philippines. My dad is in Canada and when he asked for an update in our papers, the embassy told him that our papers are now in Canadian embassy in manila, philippines. We’re just waiting for passport request, but until now there is no any update. But before they sent our papers in manila, philippines they said that they will review our papers and if there are missing papers they will refuse our application, but they found no missing paper that is why they sent our papers in philippines. I’m worried because until now there is no any update.
There isn’t much I can say or add. I don’t know your case. I’d follow the process and advise from the officials.
Hi
Im from canada. I applied for permanent residency on february 26 2016 under skilled category. Im still waiting for medical request. Do u have any idea hlw long will it take.
Usually, the PR process takes months, or even years. If you applied earlier this year, it’s still relatively early in the process. But process times depend on your visa office and you can check the average online.
Hi am from Nigeria am processing migrant visa, to Canada and the process start on 1st October, and my agent told me that processing will take 7to8 weeks , and I have not head anything from him again, and last time I called him he told me that it will be ready soonest,i don’t know wot to do,to me is like he is take a lot of time / and I want to know if the migrant visa is coming with working permits?? Tnks
What visa did you apply for? There is absolutely no way you’d get permanent residence status in a matter of weeks. It takes months, or years. A tourist visa, maybe but then you wouldn’t be able to work in Canada.
I’d advise you to make sure your agent isn’t a scam…
Okay, but if I can be able to enter Canada with the tourist visa. Can I be able to apply for permanent residence??
Or is there anything else I need to do?
It just doesn’t work like this. You should follow the normal process and do it alone, without an agent. Start by researching your options on the website of Citizenship and Immigration.
I applied for “migrant visa”
There is 0 chance that you can get a migrant visa in a few weeks.
My husband is in Canada and he applies for a permanent resident for us in 2013. We are in Swaziland our nearest Canadian embassy is Pretoria . We had our medical may 6,2016 which was for the second time. June we we submitted our passports after the embassy request for them . It’s been 6months now still waiting for our passports. Nov 2 I was called for an interview with the visas officer who told me that i should wait for 60 days. I wish to know how long it will take to bring back our passports
I have no idea. If the officer said 60 days, then I guess it is 60 days…?
Hi Zhu thank very much for your reply, hope to meet you when I’m in Canada
hello ZHU,
I am in Nigeria and will want to start the process but I have no clue as where to start from.thanks
You need to check the government’s website and do research on various options.
Hi
i am a Lebanese citizen , my wife is a Canadian citizen from Alberta, we applied for a Family spouse sponsorship to sponsor me to live with her in Canada.
we applied in November 2015, i got an email from the Canadian embassy in Lebanon telling me that my file was lost, they apologized and asked me to do an interview, the interview according to the officer was positive, i was required to resend some of the lost files that i have previously send , which i did..
this month my wife emailed the embassy in Lebanon asking them about any news about the processing time ( its been already 12 month and next week it will be 13 month since processing time started )
the embassy emailed us back saying ” Kindly note that the below mentioned file is under security verifications . we are unable to provide you with a specific time frame for processing as verifications are conducted by Canada Border Service Agency.”
my question is how long approximately does security verification take ? and is it normal to take so long ?
regards.
It’s impossible to answer your question as background checks depend on many factors. Your timeline sounds about right to me, I don’t see any major delay. I would advise you to wait and see.
Thank you for getting back to me,
i checked some of your photography photos very nice , keep up the good work ,
Marry Christmas and a happy new year . 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Dear ZHU,
First Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I am also a Lebanese Citizen, and my case is exact as Bilal case in the previous comment. Really we are confused by what called regular security check from Canada border agency and no one knows about its time frame, till now our file reaches 13 months long and we don’t know what to do…it really hard to decide…I don’t know if it is better to wait a little time or better to decide living in Lebanon if it will take a long time because we are really facing problems if we have to expand our work here or there.
Sincerely
Firas
I understand that waiting isn’t easy but unfortunately, it’s part of the immigration process. Since you are already in the process and dedicated time and money to it, I’d suggest to just wait and see. Everybody goes through the background check process, the time frame depends on many factors, some personal (i.e your personal history, trips abroad, etc.) and some are external (i.e. some countries can be slow to cooperate to give out info like police clearance).
Hi Azu,
I wanted to sponsor my mother from India and i we have applied in jan 2015. what is the process and how long will it take? Please tell me is there any other faster way she is alone in India
Regards,
Vijaya
I’m not up to date with the current process for relatives. Did you check the CIC website? Sponsorship is probably your best bet.
Hi, I’m from Nigeria processing working visa is more than 3months I haven’t received any response from my agent. ,, my question is how long does working visa take?
What kind of visa? Permanent residence take much longer than three months.
Migrant visa.
It takes months, often years to get a migrant visa.
I’m an egyptian citizen i have a deportation order and currently i live in USA but i have sometimes before i live based on my immigartion status the country but i have very clean record can i apply for express entry if it applies to me from USA or i have to apply from my home country
Thanks
No idea, this is one of the cases where I would recommend contacting an immigration lawyer.
Hi Zhu, i got my Quebec selection certificate & i submitted, now my question after i submission that when i will get my Visa? how long it will take? now what is the processing is going on please reply?
You have to go through the federal process. You should check the average timeline for your specific visa office, but it usually takes months/years.
Thank you! after they received Quebec certificate only they will starts process or already they started my file. how they calculating? this is my PR visa.
Not, the federal process only starts after you get your CSQ. The timeline depends on your visa office and your application.
my friend application, already started the federal & they ask to submit CSQ..because they said for waiting to give visa. but still they didn’t get CSQ.
Hi zhu..thanks for your reply..when they asked missing documents After submission. Is that take more time to give visa?
There is probably a delay, yes.
Hello ZHU,
Thanks for sharing your experience with CIC, I am writing to check if you have any advise for me regarding a visitor visa application that I submitted over a month ago to VFS office in Algeria as I am a Libyan citizen working here in Algeria oil field, but as per the CIC website processing time should be only 15 days, and obviously my application passed that already, I contacted the embassy already , and all they said is your application is still under process, we will contact you when finalized, that was Paris office I believe.
the problem is that I need to have at least a time line for me to know what to do, as I need my passport to leave Algeria and go to Libya.
what could be the max for visitor visa in Paris office ?!
Thanks
Anis
I have no idea. I can’t advise on processing times.
Hi,am in nigerian and i applied for canada permanent residence 3years ago and i havent heard anything up till now.do u think i should contact to find out what is happening.thanks
Three years is a long time. Did you apply on your own, i.e. did you do the paperwork alone? Did the payment go through?
Hi,
I am a Bangladeshi Citizen and applied for Quebec immigration back 2013 and i got the Quebec confirmation in April 2016. After that we again applied for federal as you are well aware that Federal also need to be accepted for Quebec as well.
Now, we last submitted documents in 31st October’2016 when they asked to provide the intention of staying at Quebec. We can see only its “in process” status in Canadian website. My question is how long will it take more as we are already in 5th year of total processing time. Its in now Singapore office so far we know form our agent.
Can u comment on my situation?
There isn’t much I can say. This is a very long processing time for you, I rarely see it that long. I’m not sure why… would it be because it is processed in Singapore? The CSQ adds an extra step as well, making the process longer.
R u still waiting or migrated please update me because I am also waiting my federal application submitted March 2017 still no update in process
Good Morning Ma,
I am a citizen of Canada and i mailed my application in sponsoring my spouse on the 2nd of March. I haven`t heard from the immigration to know if they have received it. Do you know how long it takes to hear back from them after the application is mailed?
Kindly advise me and your answer and response will be well appreciated.
Thanks
Back in 2005, it took about a month for the sponsor to be approved as a sponsor. I don’t know the current timeline.
Hi Kay, Just wondering how long it ended up taking? I sent mine from Australia about 2 months ago and still have not even received a confirmation that they have it! I know it was delivered to Canadian Immigration by the Australia Post tracking ability… but nothing else!
Hello,
My wife and I applied for QSWP in febuary 2014 with her being the principal applicant. We both work in the telecommunication industry am an Engineer and she is a roaming coordinator. We applied through an agency in Abijan (Access Canada) and its been three years now. Access Canada is mainly in the francophone countries in West Africa and my wife is Ivorienne so she is fronting the application process. We have met all requirements, my wife past all exams and interviews and we have been prompt with every payment. The reason why am writing you is that am a little worried about the pace and progress so far. I mean i hear you say the time it takes depends on the visa office and so on, however i still think the process is really slow considering the fact that our application is formidable. Can you advise me?
Even if your application is strong, there could be dozens of reasons why it takes so long, including background checks and the fact your visa office may be very busy. That said, I’m a bit concerned to hear you applied through an agency. I don’t know whether it’s legit but I would advise you to communicate with them if they acted on your behalf.