Here are the latest wait times in Canada for passport, study permit applications
Applying for a passport or work permit in Canada? Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has shared its latest processing times.
The government department has been working to reduce wait times and recently announced that it’s aiming to process passport renewals in Canada within 30 business days or your money back.
As for study permits, work permits, and visitor visas, processing times are updated weekly. An IRCC representative told Daily Hive in an email that processing times can vary due to several factors.
“Visa offices face different challenges operating in different countries and regions, and even in different offices within the same region,” they stated.
“Actual processing times vary according to a number of factors, such as how well and how quickly clients respond to any communication from IRCC or how easily Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada can verify the information provided.”
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They added that IRCC aims to process at least 80 per cent of complete applications within service standards.
“This allows for expected delays in complex cases or when we need more information from clients before we can finalize their files,” they said. “We continue to digitize applications and harness automation technologies to speed up processing while protecting and prioritizing the safety and security of Canadians.”
Whether you’re applying for a work permit or a visitor visa, here’s how long you can expect to wait, according to IRCC.
Applications inside Canada
Passports
Not including mailing time
Regular service — 10 business days
Submitted in person — 10 business days
Urgent pick-up — By the end of the next business day
Express pick-up — two to nine business days
Temporary residence
Visitor visa — 14 days
Study permit — three weeks
Work permit and extension — 121 days
Applications outside Canada
Passports
Not including mailing time
Applications from outside Canada or the U.S. — 20 business days
Study permit
India — 28 days
China – 27 days
U.S. — 16 days
Pakistan — 19 days
Philippines — 15 days
Nigeria — 118 days
Work permit
India — 19 weeks
China – 13 weeks
U.S. — 81 weeks
Pakistan — eight weeks
Philippines — five weeks
Nigeria — 15 weeks
Visitor visa
India — 28 days
China – 27 days
U.S. — 16 days
Pakistan — 19 days
Philippines — 15 days
Nigeria — 118 days