According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), applicants may face processing delays. The department is prioritizing those who are exempt from travel restrictions.
The following is a breakdown of IRCC’s updates.
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Permanent Residence
The pandemic has caused a backlog in permanent residence applications. Although IRCC say they are working at full capacity to process these applications, you may experience some delays.
IRCC are currently finalizing most of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applications received between May 24 and May 30, 2020. That is about 10 months ago.
PR Cards
You are able to check the online status tool to see the status of your permanent residence (PR) card application. This is for those who are applying to receive their PR card for the first time, as well as those who are renewing or replacing their PR cards.
Make sure to have your documents and identification numbers ready so that you are able to log in.
If you are unable to log in, you can check the current processing times on this IRCC webpage.
Citizenship
IRCC are currently sending Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) letters for applications received the week of January 21, 2021 for those applying to obtain a Grant of Citizenship.
They are finalizing most applications received between March 31 and April 6, 2019.
The processing time for a Proof of Citizenship is currently at 5 months. You are encouraged to check the Client Application Status Tool.
Family
IRCC are currently finalizing most applications received between September 29 and October 5, 2019 for inland spousal, common-law, and dependent child sponsorship. For outland, IRCC are finalizing most applications received between May 26 and June 1, 2019.
Applicants for the Parents and Grandparents program and Adoptive child or other relative programs are encouraged to check their online account.
Temporary Workers
| Work Permit Type | Online/Paper | Eligible for Global Skills Strategy | IRCC Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Permit Outside Canada | Online | Yes | Finalizing most applications received between September 20 and 26, 2020. |
| Online | No | Check online account | |
| Paper | Can’t give accurate processing time. | ||
| Work permit inside Canada (initial, extensions and changes) | Online | Finalizing most applications received between December 13 and 19, 2020. | |
| Paper | Finalizing most applications received between December 13 and 19, 2020. | ||
| For asylum claimants | Online | Finalizing most applications received between December 6 and 12, 2020. | |
| Paper | Finalizing most applications received between December 6 and 12, 2020. |
Students
Study permit applications received between December 13 and 19, 2020 are currently being finalized. This includes new study permits, extensions and work permits for students.
It is worth noting that study permit holders are only allowed to come to Canada if they are going to attend to a Designated Learning Institution that has a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by their province. Those with study permits issued before March 18, 2020 may also travel to Canada.
Visitors
Applicants applying for an Electronic Travel Authorization can check their status online.
Applicants who applied for a Visitor Visa online, can sign in to their account to check their application status.
If you applied on paper, you can link your application to an online account to see the status of your application and receive messages from IRCC about your application.
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