One of the most common questions we receive from clients is: How long will my application take to process? Regardless of the type of application you submit, Immigration Canada requires time to process your application. This time determines when you will receive your status document (i.e. PR Card, Study Permit, Work Permit, etc.).
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO PROCESS MY APPLICATION?
The processing time for an application will depend on a variety of factors. One of which is the type of application you submit. Different types of application vary in terms of length and complexity. They are also processed at visa offices in different locations.
For example, if you submit a spousal sponsorship application and it is processed in a busy office in the Philippines, it will take longer to process than a study permit application that is processed in a low-volume office in Canada.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESSING OF AN APPLICATION?
There are a number of steps involved the processing of a single application. First, it is reviewed by an intake officer who will scan the application to ensure it is complete. Then, it will enter a queue for processing.
The reviewing officer in charge of your file will review the application and determine whether further documentation is required. If an officer has to request medical examinations, for example, this will further delay your application. It will not proceed to the next point in processing until they receive your medical examination results.
HOW DO I CHECK THE STATUS OF MY APPLICATION?
There are different ways to check the status of your application depending on the type of application you submitted. If you submitted an application for a work permit, study permit, or visitor visa online through your GC account, you can log into your account.
In your account, you will see a processing bar that indicates how far along your application is. If you submitted a paper-based application, you can use an online tool from Immigration Canada to check the status of your application. You will need your UCI number and information about your application to check this.
Once you input the required information, you can see whether Immigration Canada has received your application and when they received it. There will also be a notification indicating whether they have sent you correspondence.
FINAL TIPS
Sometimes, we recommend that clients submit their biometrics at the same time they submit their application. This avoids delays in processing that may occur if you are requested to submit biometrics after submitting your application.
It’s also important to take into account is that once your application is approved, it often takes another month (at minimum) until you will receive your visa and enter Canada. This is to allow time to send documents back and forth. For example, with a temporary visa, you have to send your passport into the visa office. And for Permanent Resident visas, you need to get your confirmation of Permanent Residency document back before you can fly to Canada and become a Permanent Resident.
As such, even if an application says it takes two or three months to process, we recommend allowing for an additional month before you will actually be in Canada.
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.
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