How Long Does It Take For A Canada Work Visa To Get Approved?

How Long Does It Take For A Canada Work Visa To Get Approved?

Canada work visa process time might take 1 to 27 weeks to process a Canadian Work Permit. When a foreign national is looking to immigrate to Canada, they want to know how long it will take. Each visa has a different processing time and application procedure.

Visa Processing

The processing time for Canadian Visas is defined as the time it takes for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process the individual's application from the day that they receive it. These are otherwise known as CIC or IRCC processing times.

A compelling new strategy to shorten Canadian immigration processing timelines has started. Sean Fraser, Canada's Minister of Immigration, committed at a news conference in January 2022. Minister Fraser unveiled a slew of new initiatives to shorten processing timelines for several of Canada's most popular immigration programs.

The visa processing times below are just an estimate. Due to COVID-19, these processing times may vary. Use the IRCC Processing Times tool to determine how long your Canada visa processing time may take. Canada immigration consultants sometimes help reduce this time, but the applicant can't blame the consultancy for this reason.

The IRCC is making improvements to help with the backlog of visa applications and to improve Canada's Immigration processing times in 2022.

Reason for the Increase in Canada Visa Processing Time

According to the CIC, several items can factor in how long it will take for your Canadian Visa.

Here are a few possible reasons:

1. Type of visa application

2. Country of applicants residency

3. Application complete and correctness

4. How easily the applicant's information can be confirmed

5. How quickly IRCC can process applications that are already in the system

6. How long an applicant takes to respond to additional requests or concerns

What is Express Entry Processing Time?

Most Express Entry applications are processed within six months from the date it is received. Before the six-month processing time begins, the applicant must provide all the necessary documents and upload them to their individual Express Entry profile.

The Express Entry Program includes the following streams:

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)

Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

Processing Time for a PR Card

Applying for a new PR Card can take only 13 days while renewing or replacing a PR card will take around 27 days.

1. PR Card Renewal Processing Time

PR renewal processing time might take several weeks or even months. If one wants to travel outside of Canada, they have to consider renewing it before it expires.

2. Canada Work Permit Processing Time

The Canadian work permit processing time has the most extensive range. The Work Permit processing time ultimately depends on completing one application and the office you applied at. A Canada work visa consultant would ideally guide this.

The approximate processing of a Canadian Work Permit can take between 1-27 weeks. But it will vastly vary from individual.

3. LMIA Processing Time

Canada is experiencing a large volume of LMIA applications in 2022, resulting in longer processing times and possible delays, especially seen in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Depending on which LMIA will apply for, it can take anywhere from 8-to 29 business days to process your application.

4. Study Permit Processing Time

Like work permits, Canadian Study Permit Processing Times depend primarily on the applicant's country of residence. Typically a Canadian study permit can be processed between 1 to 16 weeks.

5. Canadian Citizenship Processing Time

A typical Canadian Citizenship grant processing time is 12 months or 1 year. This means that it should take about one year until it is fully processed from the day the individual submits the completed application.

6. Canadian Visitor Visa Processing Time

Like work visas and study permits, a visitor visa processing time can depend on which country the applicant is applying from. Typically the time can vary from a couple of days to a few weeks for a Canada Visitor Visa processing time. If one uses it from Canada, the processing time is only 12 days.

7. Canada Spousal Sponsorship Processing Time

The average processing time of a spousal sponsorship is approximately 12 months. However, it may be shorter or as long as 36 months, depending on specific circumstances and regions.

8. SuperVisa Processing Time​

Most applications for a super visa are processed within a few weeks or less but can take up to 8 weeks. Processing times vary depending on the visa office and the country you are applying from.

9. Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)​

When applying for a Canadian post-graduate work permit after your studies, one can expect to wait from 2 to 6 months. While waiting, individuals can work if they apply for PGWP before their student permit expires.