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Indian nationals seeking Canada visas are now facing a drastic spike in processing times for their temporary residence applications.
In the past few months, there has been a notable rise in processing times across various temporary residence visa categories, including visitor visas, super visas, study permits, and work permits.
These increases in processing times are causing frustration and delays for thousands of Indian applicants.
Based on our ongoing tracking of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) visa processing data since 2021, the recent spike in waiting periods for Indian nationals is particularly concerning.
This article will break down the current visa processing times, provide a historical perspective, and explore the potential reasons for the recent surge in delays.
Table of Contents
How to interpret IRCC processing times?
IRCC processing times are the average for most (around 80%) of the complete applications that have been processed on a given a date and it doesn’t include:
- time between application being sent from VFS to visa processing centre or
- time taken to give biometrics.
These are updated every week and some applications may take even longer than the time specified, as well as some may take even much less time.
Current Visa Processing Times for Indian Nationals
As of October 9, 2024, the following are the latest visa processing times for Indian nationals across various categories, based on IRCC data:
Canada Visitor Visa Processing Time: 112 Days
- Increased by 10 days since September 24, 2024
- Increased by 15 days since September 17, 2024
- Increased by 48 days since August 20, 2024
The processing time for visitor visas from India was only 51 days in July 2024 and 29 days in January 2024
Canada Super Visa Processing Time: 99 Days
- Increased by 12 days since September 24, 2024
- Increased by 9 days since September 17, 2024
- Increased by 31 days since August 20, 2024
The processing time for super visas was 59 days in July 2024 and 52 days in June 2024
Canada Study Permit Processing Time: 6 Weeks
- Increased by 1 week since September 11, 2024
- Increased by 2 weeks since July 24, 2024
The processing time was 4 weeks for Indian nationals in July 2024
Indians are eligible for the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, which typically offers faster processing times, but still most of the applications as per IRCC are taking 6 weeks.
Canada Work Permit Processing Time: 28 Weeks
- Increased by 1 week since September 24, 2024
- Increased by 1 week since September 4, 2024
- Increased by 8 weeks since August 20, 2024
The processing time for work permit from India was only 19 weeks in July 2024 and 17 weeks in January 2024
Other temporary residence visas processing times facing delays
Irrespective of nationality, below are the categories that are experiencing an increase in processing times over the past few months.
Study Permit Extensions: 126 days (Increased by 19 days since September 24 and by 56 days since August 20)
Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP) Processing Time: 288 Days
- Increased by 158 days since August 20, 2024
- The processing time was 84 days in July 2024 and only 24 days in January 2024
Overview of Processing Time Increases
The table below highlights how much visa processing times have increased for Indian nationals over recent months:
| Visa Type | Processing Time (July 2024) | Processing Time (August 2024) | Processing Time (October 2024) | Overall Increase Since July 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Visa | 51 days | 64 days | 112 days | +61 days |
| Super Visa | 59 days | 68 days | 99 days | +40 days |
| Study Permit | 4 weeks | 5 weeks | 6 weeks | +2 weeks |
| Work Permit | 19 weeks | 20 weeks | 28 weeks | +9 weeks |
| Overall SAWP (Agricultural Workers) | 84 days | 122 days | 288 days | +204 days |
Why Are Canada Visa Processing Times Increasing?
Several factors could be contributing to the increased visa processing times for Indian nationals in 2024, other than the diplomatic rift between two countries:
1. High Volume of Applications
Canada has become an increasingly popular destination for Indian nationals, particularly after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
Whether for study, work, or tourism, the number of visa applications from India has surged in 2024.
This influx has strained IRCC’s processing capacity, leading to extended wait times.
The reopening of borders, pent-up demand for travel, and the surge in interest in Canadian education and work opportunities have contributed to the high volume of applications.
More applicants mean longer queues and, inevitably, slower processing times.
2. Increased Scrutiny of Applications from Indians
The growing concern about visa fraud and misrepresentation has led the IRCC to increase scrutiny of visa applications, particularly for Indian nationals.
This added layer of security has contributed to longer processing times as applications undergo more thorough checks to ensure the legitimacy of documentation and applicant backgrounds.
High refusal rates among certain categories of applicants, particularly for visitor visas, have also pushed the IRCC to introduce more stringent vetting procedures, slowing down the process for everyone.
4. Changes in Immigration Policies
The Canadian government has introduced new immigration policies that could also contribute to delays in visa processing.
For instance, new measures to attract skilled workers, international students, and entrepreneurs have increased the complexity of the visa system, leading to longer evaluation periods.
These new policies often require additional documentation and verification steps, which add to the processing time, particularly for countries like India with high visa demand.
5. Complications with Biometrics and Additional Security Checks
For Indian nationals, biometric information (fingerprints and photos) is required as part of the visa application process.
In some cases, delays in obtaining appointments at visa application centres or problems with submitting biometric data have caused additional processing delays.
Moreover, additional security checks and interviews, particularly for work permit applicants and those applying through the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program, can further extend wait times.
Impact on Indian Nationals: What These Delays Mean
For many Indian nationals, these processing delays are more than just an inconvenience—they can have significant consequences.
Students who plan to begin their studies in Canada have been particularly affected, as delays in processing study permits can jeopardize their academic terms.
Similarly, workers awaiting permits may miss out on job opportunities or face disruptions in their work schedules.
The tourism industry also faces challenges, as Indian travellers looking to visit Canada now have to plan months in advance, with processing times for visitor visas stretching well beyond three months.
This may discourage some from visiting or exploring Canadian destinations.
What Can Applicants Do?
While applicants have limited control over IRCC’s processing times, there are a few steps that Indian nationals can take to minimize delays:
- Apply Early: Since visa processing times are unpredictable, applicants are advised to submit their visa applications as early as possible to avoid last-minute delays.
- Ensure Complete Documentation: Incomplete or incorrect documentation can lead to further delays in processing. Double-checking application materials and following IRCC guidelines carefully is essential for smoother processing.
- Track Application Status: Applicants can regularly check the status of their application online through the IRCC portal. This allows them to stay informed about their application’s progress and any additional steps required.
- Consider Alternative Pathways: For those applying for study permits, the SDS program can offer faster processing times. Similarly, applicants should explore alternative visa categories or work permits that may have shorter processing times.
Visa processing times for Indian nationals seeking temporary residence in Canada have increased significantly across all major categories in 2024.
While the surge in demand, limited resources, and stricter scrutiny are contributing to the delays, applicants can take proactive measures to navigate these extended wait times.
As Canada continues to be a sought-after destination for Indians, staying informed about processing trends and acting early will be key to successfully obtaining visas.
This rise in wait times is a reminder for applicants to plan well in advance, considering the evolving nature of Canada’s visa processing system.
For now, Indian nationals are advised to remain patient and ensure that their applications are complete and timely to avoid unnecessary setbacks in their plans.
Shocking spike in Canada Visa processing…
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