The processing times for Canadian immigration applications have been a major concern for both applicants and immigration representatives alike as of late. With the pandemic causing significant disruptions to visa processing and travel, many have been left wondering if the processing times for immigration applications in Canada are improving.
The short answer is yes, processing times are improving, but the rate of improvement varies based on the type of application and other factors. Here's a closer look at the situation:
Background
Before we dive into the current situation, it's worth noting that processing times for immigration applications in Canada have been a concern for many years. In 2018, the Canadian government introduced the Global Skills Strategy, which aimed to improve the processing times for work permit and visa applications. The strategy included several measures to expedite the processing of applications, such as a two-week processing time for certain work permits.
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COVID-19 Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the processing times for immigration applications in Canada. With the border restrictions and travel bans, the Canadian government suspended most in-person processing and prioritized the processing of applications for essential workers and those related to COVID-19. This led to significant delays in processing times for most types of applications.
Current Status
As of March 2023, the Canadian government has resumed the processing of most immigration applications. However, the processing times are still impacted by the pandemic and other factors, such as the volume of applications and staffing levels at visa processing centers.
Express Entry
The processing times for applications submitted through the Express Entry system have improved significantly in recent months. According to the Canadian government, 80% of applications are processed within six months, which is an improvement from the 2019 processing times. At Calver Immigration Consulting Inc., we have seen most of our recent Express Entry applications processed in less than 6 months.
Family Sponsorship
The processing times for family sponsorship applications remain longer than pre-pandemic levels. With this said, we are seeing most in-Canada applications processed in 4-5 months, despite the government processing times stating 13 months, and most out-of Canada applications are processed within 12 months, despite the government timeline stating 24 months.
Study Permits
The processing times for study permit applications have also improved in recent months. According to the Canadian government, most study permit applications are processed within 20 calendar days, we’re seeing the government respect these processing times and we’re seeing extremely positive results with our study permits which are processed quickly.
In conclusion, the processing times for immigration applications in Canada are improving, but the rate of improvement varies depending on the type of application and other factors. The pandemic has had a significant impact on processing times, but the Canadian government has taken measures to expedite the processing of applications. Applicants should continue to monitor the processing times and consult with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant to understand what a realistic processing time is for them.
For more information on how Canadian Visa Processing Times Improving in 2023, please reach out to us. If you have any questions about how the Inspection Process work and the Compliance, please get in touch and book an online consultation with us here.
Our Services
Calver Immigration Consulting Inc. is rated Canada's number one boutique immigration consultancy. We serve clients across Canada and internationally. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in Canada and abroad.
We can assist 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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