Average Processing Times
Processing times begin on the day our office receives a complete application and end on the day the final decision (i.e. approval/refusal) is made. These are not a guarantee of how long it will take to process your application. Please allow an additional 1-2 days for the return of your passport(s).
Temporary Residence Applications:
| Application Type | Submitted online | Submitted through the VAC | Submitted through the Embassy |
|---|---|---|---|
Temporary Resident Visa (visitor)
| 3-5 working days | 5 working days | 10-15 working days |
Study Permit
| 4 to 6 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks | 8 to 10 weeks |
Work Permit
| 4 to 6 months | 4 to 6 months | 8 to 10 months |
Live-in Caregivers
| 12 to 14 months | 12 to 14 months | 14 to 16 months |
Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) | n/a | 10 working days | 20 working days |
Temporary resident visa (visitor visa) applications require a fully completed and printed IMM 5257 with a barcode validation.
Please note that 20 working days will be added to the processing of TRV applications from citizens or residents of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Montenegro, Pakistan, Palestine, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen
The same additional processing time applies to holders of a valid Canadian study or work permit who are citizens or residents of one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan , Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan , Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen.
For certain applications, the processing time may be longer than 20 working days and more documents may be requested. If this is the case, the applicant will be notified by our office.
Study permit applications require a fully completed and printed IMM 1294 with a barcode validation.
By mail: 4 weeks**
In person: 4 weeks**
** Please note that 20 working days will be added to the processing of Study Permit applications from citizens or residents of the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen.
For certain applications, the processing time may be longer than 20 working days and more documents may be requested. If this is the case, the applicant will be notified by our office.
Temporary work permit applications require a fully completed and printed IMM 1295 with a barcode validation.
These are average processing times only. Some applications take longer to process for various reasons. For example, the following factors could delay the processing of your application:
- incomplete applications
- a medical exam (additional 2-4 weeks from the date of the medical exam if no complications arise, such as the need for further testing)
- mandatory background or security checks
- an interview
- an increase in the number of applications received (e.g. April to August)
- a verification of documents by our office
- a complex case
“Working days” are days when the visa office is open for business. Weekends and statutory holidays are not “working days”, therefore do not count them when calculating processing times.
Note: This visa office will not respond to case status enquiries within the processing times above. Processing times begin on the day our office receives a complete application.
For more detailed information on processing times for all other categories of applications at Canadian visa offices, please see the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
Permanent Residence (Immigration) Applications:
For detailed information on processing times for permanent residence applications at Canadian visa offices, please see the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
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