HOW LONG DOES THE CANADIAN VISA APPLICATION PROCESS TAKE

1. HOWLONG DOESTHECANADIANVISAAPPLICATIONPROCESSTAKE? • Theworldsawanunprecedentedchangeintravelguidelinesin2020.TheCanadiangovernment is still issuing visas to foreign workers and students. However, the time taken to process the visa has changed. The blog will be an answer to the questions of common people who are actually not aware of the Canada Visa processing time and expects to know how long does it take to get visa forCanada. • Before discussing the different steps of the visa application process, you should have a clear definition of what processing time means and encompasses. In the Canadian context, processing time covers the total time taken by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) authorities todecide whetheryour applicationisapprovedor not,startingfrom whenthey receiveit. • While your application is being processed, you may have to furnish an expression of interest and respond to theirinvitation to apply. This includes preparing documents, mailing finalized visas and status cards, etc. The time taken for these steps is not included in the application processing time. • Howmuch time it takes toget visafor canada • There are differentpathwaysyou can take to get a visa and the question of how much timeit takes to get a visa for Canada differs on the type of Visa category and the pathway you choose to immigrate. Depending on the category, the time taken to process your application will vary, anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. However, the visa application processing time has stretched significantly amidtheongoingCovid-19pandemicwaveworldwide. • AParentalSponsorshipVisawilleasilytake about20to24monthstoprocess. • The processing time taken for a Working Holiday visa depends on the region from where you are travelling. The processing time for a Visitor visa from inside Canada is 76 days. However, it is much higher for people coming from outside Canada, especially for severely Covidhitregions.Forexample,applicationprocessingforvisitorsfromIndiais98days • TheapplicationprocessingtimeforaCanadaSuperVisa,takenforparentsofresidents, • depends on the region where you are situated. Example: The Canada Visa processing time forIndian nationals willtakenearly424days.

2. AProvincialNomineeProgram(PNP)application’sprocessingwillvaryaccordingtothe province or territoryoneisapplyingfor.Formoredetails,clickhere. • TheprocessingtimeforWorkPermitorStudyPermitapplicationswill alsovaryaccording tothelocationwhereyouaresituated.Example:TheprocessingforaWorkPermit • applicationforanIndiannationalwilltakeabout10weeks,whileaStudyPermit applicationwilltake about10weeks.TheCanadastudypermitprocessingtimedepends on • thecountryyouapplyfromandthedelayinthegivenprocessingtimemaybeduetosome strictprotocolsfollowedintermsofprocessinganapplicationthatisnotreallynegligible. • ButitisalsonotablethattheCanadastudypermitprocessingtimeiscomparativelyless thanotherVisacategories. •  • The IRCC has provided a detailed breakdown of the latest visa processing times, as of 20th April 2021.Youcanchecktheupdatedapplicationprocessingtimefor eachvisa type here.The processingtimeisupdated on aweeklybasis. Thereisoften achangeinthe CanadaVisa processing time because of a few valid reasons such as the number of applications that would be lined up each month for all different categories of Visa’s plus the circumstances that have an impacttoholdtheapplicationsforawhile,one ofwhichislikethehitofthepandemic. • Thefastest way towardsyour immigration toCanadaisthrough ExpressEntry.An Express Entry visa is processed for under six months, and if accepted, you can get your visa by the end of this period. In the early days before the development of such an online portal, the Canada visa processingtimewouldprobablytake aperiodof morethanayearortwo. ExpressEntry Visa • Inmore than 80%ofcases, applicationsprocessed throughtheExpressEntrysystemare completed within the stipulated period of sixmonths.Itincludes the FSW program (Federal Skilled Worker), FSTprogram (FederalSkilledTrades),andthe CEC (Canadian Experience Class)streamofvisa applicants. Insomecases,italso covers PNPapplicants(Provincial NomineeProgram). • FederalSkilledWorkerProgram–Thiscategoryisforapplicantswhoqualifyfor managerialrolesor asprofessionalslikedoctors, engineers,andaccountants. • FederalSkilledTradesProgram–Thiscategoryisforapplicantswhohaveexperienceor thenecessaryqualificationstoperformskilledtradeslikeplumbing,welding,and • carpentry.

3. Canada Experience Class – This category isfor applicants whomeetthe requirements for at least one of the above categories and a minimum of one year of work experience in Canada. • The processing time for an Express Entry visa is about six months, including the time needed to submit your biometrics. However, due to the ongoing pandemic outbreak, it is advisable to check theupdatedCanadavisaprocessingtime ontheofficial IRCCwebsitementionedabove. StudyPermit AndStudentVisa Before you apply fora study permitCanada,you shouldapply to a university or institution where you wish to study. Once you are accepted to the university, you can use your acceptance letter to back up your application form. You must fill out other criteria, too, like proof of income and enough financial strength to support your lifestyle and your education while you live in Canada. Canada study permit processing time is calculated from the day IRCC receives your entire set of completedapplicationsuntiltheyapproveit onalleligiblegrounds. VisitorVisa Inlightoftheglobal pandemic,Canadaiscurrentlynot opentovisitors.TheCanadian governmentwillannouncethereopeningofvisitorvisaCanadaasitstartsupagain.Onregular days, there is a waiting period of 114 days. If you are applying from anywhere outside Canada (India),the Canada visa processingtime foravisitorVisais141days,andtoknow accurately how longdoes Canadavisa take fora VisitorVisaapplication to beprocessed,one canchecktheIRCCwebsite. WorkPermits You can now apply for a work visa and immigrate to Canada with a valid job letter through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Some employers require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which could increase the processing time. But if you don’t need an LMIA, youcouldtake advantage ofpriorityprocessingandreceiveyourvisaeven withintwoweeks!

4. HowToApplyForACanadianVisa • The different visa type you are applying under determines how long the application process will take. However, thestepstofollowareessentially thesame. • Check IfYouAreEligibleFor ACanadianVisa • There aredifferent teststhat theCanadiangovernmenthascreatedtoevaluate applicants’ eligibility. You need to fill out a questionnaire online after choosing a category, after which your responses willdeterminewhetheryoucanapplyforaCanadianvisaornot. • The government website for Canadian visas might seem tricky. Visit the website and click the ‘Immigration’ tab.You willsee aseries of tabsdenotingyourpurpose and thevisa category. Onceyou choose the visa type,you are aimingfor. You will seemore information and a ‘Find out if you are eligible’ tab. This link will take you to the targeted questionnaire with several questionsregardingyourreasontovisit,alongwith personaldetailsandyourtravelhistory. • Afterthis,youwillsee oneofthreeanswers • You areeligibleforthe category youselected • You qualifyforadifferentcategoryonthewebsite • Youdonotqualifyfora Canadianvisa • Put YourDocuments Together • Once you’ve created your account on the website and logged into your account, you can start applying. You will find a list of documents on the website that you’ll have to compile before the visaapplicationprocessbegins. • LookForThe Fees AndPayIt • After you submit the documents required for your application, you will reach the payment stage. The visafeevaries depending on the category or visa type thatyou are applying under. Pay the fee using one of the multiple payment methods available. But one thing you should know is that the application won’t show on your website immediately. This is normal, and you don’t need to worry.Yourapplicationwillshowupon yourpagein aboutfiveworkingdays.

5. Ifyouareapplyinginperson,youwillhavetotakeyourdocumentstoCanada’sEmbassyin yourcountryandsubmitthemthere.Learnmoreaboutexpressentrypointscalculator. GetHelpFromTheBest While choosing a company or visa consultant to helpwith your application,make sure the consultant is registered with the Canadian government and aligned with the ICCRC (Immigration ConsultantofCanadaRegulatoryCouncil).