On July 31, 2018, IRCC began using an improved method to estimate processing times for some new permanent residence applications. The processing times are projected, and tell applicants how long we expect most applications to take under normal circumstances if submitted today.
From now on, clients will have a more accurate idea of how long processing of their immigration application may take for several permanent resident business lines.
Previously, all permanent residence application processing times were only historical and showed how long it took to process 80% of applications in the past year. The new method for projecting processing times will provide more accurate estimates for clients.
With this change in effect, IRCC can estimate how long some new permanent residence applications will take based on several factors, including the number of current applications waiting to be processed and the volume of admissions allowed each year under the multi-year immigration levels plan.
The new projected processing times will only apply to applications received on or after July 31, 2018 in these business lines:
- Sponsoring a family member
- Parents and Grandparents
- Economic Class
- Provincial Nominees (Non-Express Entry)
- Skilled Workers (Quebec)
- Start-Up Visa
- Humanitarian and compassionate cases
Clients who have already applied, withdrawing an application and re-applying will not result in faster processing times
