How long is the Canada visa processing time?
Canada visa processing time is usually a few weeks to a couple of months depending on your country, application completeness and time of year.
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Last Update: 27-08-2024
Canada immigration can be tricky to navigate, especially when it comes to understanding the different processing times for various visa categories. Whether you’re planning to study, work or just visit, knowing the Canada visa processing time is key to planning. This guide will give you a detailed look at the Canada visitor visa processing time, Canada student visa processing time and more so you have a better idea of what to expect when applying from India or any other part of the world. I’ll also go into the Canada visa processing time after biometrics and the factors that can speed up or slow down the process so you’re well prepared to tackle the Canadian visa application process.
The processing time for a Canada visa from India can vary depending on the type of visa and the specific circumstances of the application, typically ranging from 52 days for a Canada tourist visa for Indians whereas it can go up to 50 months of processing time for a Federal self-employed visa program.
Please note, these processing times does not include:
Your processing time begins the day the embassy receives your complete application and concludes when a decision is made. It can vary based on the volume of received applications or the complexity of specific cases.
Read below to understand the Canada visa processing time depending on all the visa types and their subcategories:
The Canada visitor visa processing depends whether you are applying from India or inside Canada. Following are the estimated processing times for each visitor visa conditions:
Visitor Visa (from India) | 52 Days |
Visitor Visa (from inside Canada) | 25 Days |
Extending Your Visitor Visa | 115 Days |
Super Visa (from India) | 62 Days |
Canada working visa processing time can take up to 19 weeks to process if you are wishing to get a work permit from India whereas the Agricultural worker program can be processed only within 3 months.
Work Permit (from India) | 19 weeks |
Work Permit from inside Canada (including extensions) | 109 Days |
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) | 91 Days |
International Experience Canada | 6 Weeks |
Following are the Canada study visa processing time with extension depending on the location where you applied for it:
Study Permit (from India) | 4 weeks |
Study Permit (from inside Canada) | 10 weeks |
Extending Your Study Permit | 58 Days |
Permanent Residency Visas are for those looking to settle in Canada permanently through different programs
Start-Up Visa | 39 Months |
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 5 Months |
Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) | 5 Months |
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 6 Months to 11 Months |
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) | 7 Months |
Caregivers | 26 Months to 31 Months |
Self-Employed Persons (Federal) | 50 Months |
Quebec Business Class | 46 Months |
Quebec Selected Skilled Workers | 9 Months |
Family Visas allow Canadian citizens or PR holders to sponsor relatives. This list contains Canada spouse visa processing time and dependent child processing time:
Spouse or Common-Law Partner | 10 Months to 32 months |
Dependent Child (from India) | 10 months |
The Canada visa processing time after biometrics can vary depending on the type of visa and the specific circumstances of the application. Generally, after biometrics are submitted, the application enters the final stages of processing, where it undergoes review and decision-making.
Processing times for a Canada visa begin on the day your application is received and conclude when a decision is made. For applications submitted by mail, the processing time starts once your application arrives in the mailroom. For those applying online or in person, it commences the moment you submit your application.
Several elements can impact how long it takes to process your visa:
Understanding these factors can help you anticipate potential delays and prepare your application accordingly.
Processing times for applications can vary depending on where you submit your application and your individual circumstances. To reduce delays and potentially speed up the processing time follow these guidelines:
Delays can occur because:
By adhering to these practices, you can help ensure that your immigration application is processed as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Keep track of your Canada visa application status including visitor visas, super visas, transit visas and business visas. Here’s a quick guide to help you track Canada visa:
Express Entry is an online system to manage applications from skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada. This guide will take you through the process of applying through Express Entry, step by step and program by program.
If you’re eligible for one of the above Express Entry programs you can boost your score by also applying through the Provincial Nominee Program. Being nominated through the PNP under Express Entry can get you invited to apply faster.
As we’ve seen in this guide, the Canada visa processing time can vary greatly depending on the type of visa, the country of origin and several other key factors. Understanding the Canada visitor visa processing time is crucial for all aspiring travellers and immigrants. If you’re looking to join family in Canada, the Canada spouse visa processing time and how to potentially fast track your application is important to you. Similarly, students and workers need to know the Canada student visa processing time and Canada work visa processing time to plan accordingly. Now you’re better equipped to prepare your application, manage your expectations and increase your chances of a positive outcome in your journey to travel or move to Canada.
Canada visa processing time is usually a few weeks to a couple of months depending on your country, application completeness and time of year.
Study permit in Canada can take a few weeks to several months, usually 4 to 16 weeks depending on your country and what you have submitted.
While most study permits take longer to process, emergency procedures or premium services offered by local visa offices might speed up the process but it’s rare to get it in 15 days.
Once a Canada visa is approved, the applicant will receive an email notification to the email address provided during the application process. Visa and letter of introduction will be attached if required.
Canada spouse visa processing time is 12 to 26 months depending on the country of application, complexity of case and workload at the processing centres.
Spousal visa processing in Canada can get delayed due to incomplete applications, need for additional documents or complex cases that require further investigation such as custody issues or previous immigration violations.
Fastest work visa category is intra-company transfer or Global Talent Stream where processing times can be as short as 2 weeks under ideal circumstances.
After biometrics submission, the processing time for a Canada visa can take an additional 4 to 8 weeks depending on the visa type and any additional checks required.
While there is no expedited service in a Canada tourist visa processing time, make sure your application is complete, accurate and has all required documents to avoid delays. Applying during off-peak periods can also result in faster processing times.
In 2024, visitor visa processing in Canada can be delayed due to high application volume, incomplete or incorrect application, need for additional documents or security checks.
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