PR Timeline
Many of our clients start the immigration process and ask us: how long will it take until I get permanent residency in Canada? They want to know how long it will take to come to Canada from start to finish.
The Government of Canada has a processing time calculator that offers updated processing time estimates for most Canadian immigration programs. However, we find that sometimes applicants fail to account for the added time it will take to collect their documents, complete their application, and in the case of Provincial Nominee Programs, for the government to preview their application.
Read below to learn how long it will take your application to be processed (from start to finish).
Express Entry Processing Time
According to the Government’s processing time calculator, applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Class, and the Canadian Experience Class should be processed in 6 months. However, we find this estimate to be somewhat conservative and misleading to the applicant. The 6-month processing time is calculated after an applicant receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and submits their application.
However, the 6-month processing time estimate does not include the two months you have beforehand to get your documentation together nor the months prior to that when you must take your language exams and have your foreign education evaluated.
It’s also worth noting that we find that the 6-month processing time often turns out to be more like 8 months. Furthermore, processing time can be longer based on factors unique to your situation. For example, if you have a lengthy work history, a complex background (you’ve lived in many different countries), or if you have multiple family members on your application, it may take longer to review your application.
With all of this being said, we find that it often takes 12 months from start to finish for an Express Entry applicant to land in Canada. In cases where the application is very simple, applicants may find their application is processed in 10 months.
Express Entry PR Timeline = Approximately 10-12 months
Family & Spousal Sponsorship Processing Time
The federal government states that spousal sponsorship applications take one year for processing. We find that most applications do adhere to this estimate.
In-land spousal sponsorship applications typically take 13-14 months from start to finish.
Out-land application processing time will vary depending on where the application is submitted. For example, applications submitted to an office such as Havana (where certain services are not offered) may take longer. Alternatively, offices that handle a heavy load of applications will also take longer to review and process applications.
Family & Spousal Sponsorship PR Timeline = Approximately 13-14 months (in-land)
Provincial Nominee Program Processing Time
There are two types of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications: paper-based applications and express entry applications. The type of application you submit will affect the speed at which it is processed.
Traditional PNP applications submitted by paper typically take longer than those submitted online. Paper-based applications will often take longer. You must first submit your application the Ontario provincial government followed by a paper application to the federal government. This process can take 18 months or longer.
Express Entry applications for a PNP are processed similarly to the Federal Express Entry system. It will take roughly 3 months for the province to review your application and 6 months for your application to be processed. In total, we find that OINP applications submitted through the Express Entry stream take about 9 months.
Provincial Nomine Program PR Timeline = Approximately 9-18 months
Our Services
Calver and Associates is a leading provider of Canadian Immigration services in Durham Region. We serve clients in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and beyond. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in the Oshawa area.
We can provide assistance with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
