Introduction: For foreign nationals seeking permanent residence (PR) in Canada, understanding the expected timelines is crucial. In 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to process applications through various immigration pathways. Let's explore the estimated processing times for different immigration programs and what to expect when applying for Canadian permanent residency.
Understanding Service Standards: IRCC publishes service standards to provide applicants with an idea of the processing time for different types of applications. These standards represent the reasonable amount of time, typically in weeks or months, for IRCC to make a final decision on an application, assuming it's complete with all necessary information and supporting documents.
Service Standards for Permanent Resident Pathways:
Economic-Class Immigration:
Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program
IRCC Service Standard (electronic applications): 180 days
Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class
IRCC Service Standard (electronic applications): 180 days
Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades Program
IRCC Service Standard (electronic applications): 180 days*
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
IRCC Service Standard (paper applications): 11 months*
IRCC Service Standard (electronic applications via Express Entry): 180 days*
Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)
IRCC Service Standard (paper applications): 11 months*
Family-Class Sponsorship:
IRCC Service Standard (electronic applications): 12 months
Permanent Resident Cards:
IRCC Service Standard (initial PR card): 60 days from confirmation of PR form completion
IRCC's Performance Against Service Standards (2022/2023): IRCC's performance against these service standards varied in the fiscal year between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023. Here's a snapshot:
Express Entry (FSW): 80% of applications processed within the service standard
Express Entry (CEC): 85% of applications processed within the service standard
Provincial Nominee Programs (Paper): 23% of applications processed within the service standard
Provincial Nominee Programs (Electronic): 70% of applications processed within the service standard
Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program: 48% of applications processed within the service standard
Family-Class Sponsorship: 66% of applications processed within the service standard
Initial Permanent Resident Cards: 73% of applications processed within the service standard
Conclusion: While IRCC strives to process applications within the stated service standards, individual timelines may vary based on application complexity, completeness, and other factors. Foreign nationals pursuing Canadian permanent residence in 2024 should refer to these standards as a general guideline and monitor IRCC's updates for any changes or updates to processing times. Understanding the expected timelines can help applicants better plan their immigration journey to Canada.