New Method for Calculating Processing Times for Canadian Immigration

 

A recent update from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals a new way of estimating processing times for various high-volume Canadian immigration programs. The department will now use forward-looking processing times to help applicants anticipate the duration of their application process. This includes programs such as the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominees Program, Federal Skilled Workers, Quebec Skilled Workers, citizenship grants, and spouse or common-law partner sponsorships.

The change in calculating processing times comes as a response to recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General. The new method will be based on the total number of Canadian immigration applications in the queue and the expected processing capacity, considering variables such as admission spaces, seasonal changes, and program types.

For those who have already applied using the previous method, IRCC advises against reapplying, assuring that applications will still be processed in the order they were received, and in most cases, the processing time will not exceed the new forward-looking estimates.

IRCC aims to update service standards by the end of the year, providing reasonable timeframes for making final decisions on applications. The department also provides a breakdown of the current backlog, highlighting the number of applications within service standards and those in backlog for different types of applications.

For example, out of 2,121,200 total applications in inventory, 1,320,000 are within service standards, while the remaining 892,000 are in backlog. This breakdown extends to permanent and temporary residence applications, with a particular note on the backlog of study permit applications due to recent changes in Canada’s international student program.

Conclusion

It’s clear that the new method for calculating processing times is a significant step towards addressing the challenges highlighted by the Office of the Auditor General, and it aims to provide more transparency and predictability for immigration applicants.

If you need assistance with Canadian immigration, feel free to contact us at info@bisonimmigration.com for more information.