IRCC has offices around the world where visas are processed. People from diverse nations would often receive services from one office serving a region of the globe. Canadian visa processing times may vary among office locations, even though this is intended to speed things up.
Processing times and service standards for Canadian visa
In terms of service criteria, IRCC has varying requirements depending on the type of application. Application processing times are set by the IRCC according to a service standard. In the case of temporary residence visas, the standard service period is between 60 and 120 days for all applications submitted after July 2022.
Application processing time at the IRCC differs from the service standard. Application backlogs are those that are not being processed according to the service level.
In accordance with the service standard, IRCC expects to process 80% of all applications within that timeframe.
What causes variations in processing times among different immigration offices?
IRCC states that visa offices face different operating issues based on the country or region where they are located. According to the IRCC FAQ page, applications can be transferred to other offices to ensure their speedy processing.
An IRCC official said that imprecise or lacking information may delay the processing of an application. It might take longer if the applicant does not respond promptly and fully in this case. The processing of an application may also take longer if a candidate’s information is difficult to verify and can vary by area.
Regional disparities are caused by a variety of factors
A significant influence of resource allocation is regional inequity.
Based on demographic information from 2022, the IRCC has 2% of its employees overseas, while 55% are headquartered in Ottawa, its national headquarters. It is evident from this that foreign visa processing offices have limited capacity when compared to those in Canada.
Minister Fraser announced before May 4 that the department is investing in a new processing center in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Philippines is home to the new visa processing unit built by the IRCC this year.
The Immigration and Refugee Council of Canada opened the Manila center in January 2001 with the hope of handling a large number of applications while improving customer service and facilitating a greater flow of immigrants to Canada through the increased processing capacity.
Timing may also be affected by the type of application submitted. Application processing times vary according to the type of application. It is estimated that it will take an average of seven weeks for applicants to receive study permits outside of Canada, according to the IRCC’s processing time calculator. Applications made within Canada are expected to be processed within three weeks.
A candidate from outside of Canada wishing to be considered for Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Program can, on the other hand, take up to 26 months, according to the same tool.
