Canada updates IRCC immigration processing timelines during COVID-19
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched a new web tool to update IRCC immigration processing timelines during COVID-19.
IRCC says on its website that it continues to experience processing delays due to COVID-19. As a result, IRCC is prioritizing applications from people who are exempt from travel restrictions.
How to use the IRCC immigration processing timelines tool
The new IRCC immigration processing timelines tool enables you to get information about
- processing times for various applications types during the COVID-19 pandemic, and
- your application status
Simply go to the tool on the IRCC website at Processing Timelines During COVID-19. Use the dropdown to select the program you have submitted an application for. Click “continue” for further instructions.
Summary of updated IRCC immigration processing timelines
Permanent residence
IRCC says it has limited capacity to process applications and you may experience a delay. IRCC says that it is finalizing most of the Canadian Experience Class applications received between May 24 and May 30, 2020, meaning processing is delayed by about 10 months.
PR Cards
New PR cards are currently being processed in about 125 days and renewals are taking about 80 days. The PR Card online status tool is updated daily. IRCC says to make sure you gather your documents and have your identification numbers to login.
Family Sponsorship
| Program | Application type | IRCC Processing Timelines |
|---|---|---|
| Spousal, common-law, dependent child sponsorship | Inland | Finalizing most applications received between Sept. 29 and Oct. 5, 2019. |
| Spousal, common-law, dependent child sponsorship | Outland | Finalizing most applications received between May 26 and June 1, 2019. |
| Parents and Grandparents | Check online account. | |
| Adoptive child or other relative | Check online account. |
Temporary workers
| Work Permit Type | Online or Paper | Eligible for Global Skills Strategy | IRCC Processing Timelines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Permit Outside Canada | Online | Yes | Finalizing most applications received between September 20 and 26, 2020. |
| Work Permit Outside Canada | Online | No | Check online account. |
| Work Permit Outside Canada | Paper | Can’t give accurate processing time. | |
| Work permit inside Canada (initial, extensions and changes) | Online | Finalizing most applications received between December 13 and 19, 2020. | |
| Work permit inside Canada (initial, extensions and changes) | Paper | Finalizing most applications received between December 13 and 19, 2020. | |
| For asylum claimants | Online | Finalizing most applications received between December 6 and 12, 2020. | |
| For asylum claimants | Paper | Finalizing most applications received between December 6 and 12, 2020. |
Study permits
IRCC says that due to COVID-19:
- We can’t process applications normally and can’t give accurate processing times for most types of applications.
- Our Client Support Centre agents do not have more information about your application than what’s in your account.
- Travel restrictions and changes to our services may affect you.
IRCC is currently finalizing most study permit related applications received between December 13 and December 19, 2020. This means a processing timeline of about 4 months. If your application is complex, it may take us longer to process it. This includes applications for study permits, study permit extensions, and work permits for students.
Visitors visa
The updates include
- tourist visa
- super visa
- transit visa
- business visa
If you applied for your visa online, sign in to your account to check your application status. Click “check status and messages” under the “View my submitted applications or profiles” section.
If you applied for your visa on paper, you can link your application to an online account. In your account, you can see the status of your application and receive messages about your application. You will be able to also receive messages about your application from IRCC.
See also IRCC: Need Help?
