How long does the CIC take to process applications? If you want to migrate to Canada, knowing the CIC processing time is important, that is why we have this article to show you have long the CIC processing time takes.
So, if you’re sick and tired of waiting around for your application request to be approved, and would love to know how to increase your Canada VISA processing time, then you’ll love this guide.
Let’s dive right in!
CIC vs IRCC Brief Overview
CIC stands for Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
It is a body that’s placed in charge of your entire VISA application process, from start to finish. But one must know, CIC was recently rebranded to IRCC in November 2015 with the arrival of a new government in Canada.
Must Read: Welcome to Canada: Things You Need to Know...
The term CIC is still commonly used as this became a household name amongst almost every immigrant looking to relocate to Canada. But, keep in mind that, the name you’d be introduced to and work with the most on your application into Canada is the IRCC.
Oftentimes, when someone is looking to migrate to Canada, one of the first things they’d want to know is what is the CIC processing time like? Or basically, how will it take me to get my VISA on applying?
One thing to note about the CIC processing time is that each processing time is dependent on its respective application process. But basically, the CIC processing time for Canada Visas is defined as how long it’d take for the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process your request from the first day of applying.
The CIC processing time is otherwise referred to as the IRCC processing time.
CIC Processing Time for Canadian Passport Application
On the other hand, the processing time for a Canadian is dependent on where and how your application request was submitted. It also depends on how urgent the application request is.
The processing times for a Canadian passport application include:
- 10 working days for an application submitted in person by the applicant and at the direct passport office
- 20 working days for an application submitted in person by the applicant at a Service Canada service point
- 20 working days for an application submitted via mail
For a more urgent passport application, you’d want to apply at a passport office, and the request will thus be processed at the end of the next working day, or just roughly about 9 working days.
Canadian passport applications from outside Canada and the U.S usually take up to 20 working days.
CIC Processing Time for Canadian VISA Application
As discussed earlier, for a Canadian VISA application, your CIC processing time depends on your application type. That is:
- Are you applying for a temporar Canadian residency?
- Are you applying for an economic immigration?
- Are you applying for family sponsorship?
- Are you applying as a refugee?
- Are you applying to replace or amend documents to verify your status?
- Or may be you’re applying as a result of humanitarian or compassionate cases?
- Are you applying for a Canadian citizenship and permanent resident cards?
And, each of the above application types is distinct from the other. But you can always leverage the IRCC processing times tool in determining how long your Canadian VISA application request will take to process.
Some basic CIC processing time for the following Canadian VISA application programs include:
- Express entry program
- PR card program
- LMIA program
- Study permit program
- Canadian citizenship program
- Canadian visitation program
- Canadian spousal sponsorship program
#1: CIC Processing Time for an Express Entry Program
This usually takes up to 6 months to process from the date it was received.
An Express Entry Program consists of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skill Trades (FST), Federal Skilled Workers (FSW), and a part of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
#2: CIC Processing Time for a PR Card Program
The processing time for a PR card program depends on whether you are trying to renew or replace the PR card.
It takes about 13 days to complete when trying to renew, and about 27 days to replace the PR card. usually takes between 13 to 27 days to process from the day it was received.
#3: CIC Processing Time for an LMIA Program
This usually takes between 8 to 29 business working days to process from the date it was received. Though, this process time can be exceeded due to large volumes of LMIA applications.
#4: CIC Processing Time for a Work Permit Program
The Canadian work permit CIC processing time is one of the longest. The timing all depends on your application and the office where the application was done.
A Canadian work permit usually takes between 1 to 27 weeks to process from the date it was received.
#5: CIC Processing Time for a Study Permit Program
This solely depends on the country which you’re applying from. A study permit usually takes between 1 to 16 weeks to process from the date it was received.
#6: CIC Processing Time for a Canadian Citizenship Program
This takes about one year or 12 months to process.
#7: CIC Processing Time for a Canadian Visitation Program
Quite the same with a work VISA program and study permit, your Canadian visitation program processing time depends on the country from whence you are applying. But, applying within Canada takes about 12 days to process.
#8: CIC Processing Time for a Canadian Spousal Sponsorship Program
This usually takes between 12 to 36 months to process from the date it was received.
Factors that Influence Your CIC Processing Time
The following factors go a long way in influencing your CIC processing time:
- Application type
- Country from which you’re applying from
- Validity of information provided in application
- IRCC processing speed, and this is based on how quick they can clear application requests from applicants already in the system
- Time to respondback on the path of the applicant when asked to provide additional documents that relate to the application type.
Now We’ll Love to Hear from You:
- What is the main purpose for your next Canada visit?
- How long are you willing to wait to get processed?
- How do you feel these processing time can be sped up faster?
Let me know by leaving a comment below!
