Latest IRCC Processing Times (December 2024)

December 12, 2024 Amritpal Kaur

If you’re planning to settle in Canada, the first thing you’ll need to figure out is the processing time for your immigration application. Whether you’re applying for citizenship, a permanent resident (PR) card, or a temporary visa, knowing how long the process will take is crucial for making informed decisions.

As we head into December 2024, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has provided its latest processing times for all major immigration categories. These updates help you get a better idea of when you can expect to receive an answer, plan your move, and avoid unnecessary delays.

Let’s dive into the most recent updates for IRCC processing times. These timelines reflect the average wait for various immigration services and can fluctuate depending on a range of factors, such as the complexity of your case and whether additional documents or checks are required.

Canadian Citizenship Applications

If you’ve applied for Canadian citizenship, the wait time is typically around 7 months for most applicants. This hasn’t changed in the past few months, but it’s important to note that some specific applications may take longer, depending on the completeness of the information provided.

For those applying for a citizenship certificate, the processing time has shortened to 3 months, a full month faster than previous updates.

Applications involving the renunciation of Canadian citizenship still take around 16 months, with no change in the timeline. Additionally, if you’ve requested a search of citizenship records, expect a processing time of 11 months.

Permanent Resident (PR) Cards

When it comes to renewing your PR card, the IRCC has made some improvements in processing times. Here’s a quick look at the current processing schedules:

• New PR card applications: Typically take about 23 days.

• PR card renewal applications: Are now processed in around 40 days.

This represents a slight improvement from last month’s updates, showing that IRCC is handling applications more efficiently.

Family Sponsorship Applications

Family sponsorship remains one of the most important pathways to Canadian immigration. However, wait times vary depending on your situation and location:

• Sponsorship of a spouse or common-law partner (outside Canada): Expect around 10 months for approval.

• Sponsorship of a spouse or common-law partner (inside Canada): This process typically takes around 12 months.

• Parents and grandparents sponsorship remains lengthy, with an average wait time of 24 months for those outside Quebec. If you’re sponsoring from Quebec, this wait could extend up to 48 months.

While these are average times, the processing times for family sponsorship in Quebec remain particularly long, making it essential to plan well ahead if you are applying from this province.

Economic Immigration: Express Entry & Other Programs

For those applying through Express Entry or other economic immigration programs, processing times continue to be stable. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Approximately 5 months.

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Also around 5 months.

• Provincial Nominee Program (Express Entry): Typically takes 6 months.

• Provincial Nominee Program (non-Express Entry): Can take up to 13 months.

An interesting change here is the Quebec Business Class immigration program, where processing times have risen significantly to 71 months, up from 58 months last month.

Temporary Residency: Visitor Visas, Study Permits, and Work Permits

If you're looking to enter Canada on a temporary visa, the processing times depend on your country of origin and the type of visa you're applying for. Here’s a breakdown of how long you can expect to wait:

• Visitor Visa:

  • Applicants from India will wait around 111 days.

  • United States applicants: Expect about 26 days.

  • Philippines applicants: Your wait time is around 21 days.

• Study Permit:

  • If you're from India, you can expect processing to take around 4 weeks (an increase of 1 week).

  • United States applicants will wait about 10 weeks (a decrease of 4 weeks).

  • Nigeria applicants can expect about 8 weeks, a slight decrease from the previous week.

• Work Permits:

  • India: 18 weeks (a reduction of 5 weeks from last month).

  • Nigeria: Processing takes about 23 weeks.

  • Philippines: 4 weeks, which has decreased by 1 week compared to last month.

For those applying from within Canada, the processing times can be a bit longer, such as for work permit extensions, which now take up to 171 days.

The IRCC processing times are updated regularly:

• Monthly updates for permanent resident card renewals, family sponsorships, and economic immigration programs.

• Weekly updates for temporary residency applications and PR card processes.

It’s crucial to check the IRCC website regularly for the latest updates. Processing times can fluctuate based on the volume of applications and other internal factors.

Ensure your application is complete, double-check your documents, and be prepared for the wait. Processing times are not set in stone, and can change depending on various factors. Stay tuned for updates by regularly visiting our blog! We’ll keep you informed as soon as official information is released by IRCC.

Give us a call at 647-222-6795 or email us at info@zandbimmigration.ca, or amritpal@zandbimmigration.ca. You can also book an appointment directly on our website www.zandbimmigration.ca.

We’re here to help make the immigration process easier for you.

Good luck, and welcome to Canada!