On Wednesday, Canada unveiled new timelines for visa and immigration processing that will benefit Indian travellers, students, workers, and families with relocation plans. Processing times for visitor visas for Indians now span approximately 57 days, while work permits require about seven weeks.
The latest update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicates quicker processing for certain applications associated with India. The waiting period for visitor visas for Indians has significantly declined, and the time for dependent child sponsorship applications from India has been cut by eight months.
However, some categories have not changed or have experienced slight increases in waiting times.
Work Permits
Processing times for work permits show minor changes, with improvements for Indian applicants dropping to seven-eight weeks from inside Canada (256-259 days) or outside. Pakistan remains at 30 weeks, Nigeria rose to 13 weeks, US at nine-10 weeks, and Philippines at seven weeks. Service standards are 120 days inside Canada, 60 days outside, and 56 days for International Experience Canada.
Also Read: H-1B Visa Approvals Hit Five-Year Low, Despite Sharp Rise In Filings
Study Permits
Study permit timelines are stable for India at four weeks, Pakistan at 15 weeks, Nigeria at eight weeks, and US improved to five weeks, with Canada at nine weeks and Philippines at five weeks. Service standards remain 120 days for in-Canada submissions and 60 days outside Canada.
Visitor Visas
Visitor visa processing has improved significantly for India, now 57 days (down from 71), with inside Canada at 18 days, Pakistan 49 days, Nigeria 53 days, US 17 days, and Philippines 14 days. The service standard for outside Canada is 14 days.
Super Visas
Super visa times slightly improved for India to 208 days, Pakistan to 132 days, Nigeria to 44 days, and Philippines to 85 days, while US is 207 days. Applications cannot be filed inside Canada, with a service standard of 112 days.
Also Read: Canada Considers 'Mass Cancellation' Of Indian Visa Applications To Curb Fraud: Report
Permanent Residence: Express Entry & PNP
Express Entry programs like CEC and FSWP hold at 7 months, FSTP not reported; service standard 6 months. PNP enhanced stays at 7 months (standard 6 months), base PNP at 13 months (standard 11 months).
Permanent Residence: Family Sponsorship
Family sponsorship shows small shifts: spouse/partner inside Canada (non-Quebec) 21 months, Quebec 36 months; outside (non-Quebec) 15 months, Quebec 35 months. Parents/grandparents outside Quebec 34 months, Quebec 46 months
Dependent Child Sponsorship
Dependent child processing from India halved to 8 months (from 16), inside Canada 20 months, Nigeria 19 months, Philippines 12 months.
Citizenship Applications
Citizenship grant improved to 13 months (standard 12 months), citizenship[s certificate has waiting of 11 to 10 months.
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