441-00641 (Citizenship and immigration)

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) strives to deliver quality client services that are secure, reliable, and easy to use across a global network. Canada continues to be a top destination for global talent, as many people apply to come to Canada to work, study and live every day.

IRCC processes applications on a case-by-case basis and individual’s circumstances vary, as do processing times. The time it takes to process an application varies according to a number of factors, including but not limited to:

• the type and complexity of application being submitted; 
• how well and how quickly applicants respond to requests from IRCC to provide additional information;
• information required from partner and foreign agencies; and,
• how easily IRCC can verify the information provided.

We know that some applicants have experienced significant wait times with the processing of their applications due to COVID-19. We understand their frustrations, and we continue to work hard to reduce processing times.

IRCC has been moving toward a more integrated and innovative working environment to help speed up application processing globally and improve the client experience across our services. IRCC has introduced modernized tools (i.e. digital intake) to assist with speeding up application processing throughout our global network. Through the 2021 Fiscal and Economic Update, IRCC is investing $85 million to implement initiatives to help reduce excess inventories of applications in various areas across the temporary residence, permanent residence cards, and citizenship programs. This includes hiring new processing staff, digitizing applications, and reallocating work among our offices worldwide.

We have made improvements in our services so that clients can review the status of their applications in their MyAccount. We launched the Citizenship Grant Application Status Tracker on May 10, 2021, and the new Permanent Residence Family Class Application Status Tracker for family class spousal, common law, and dependent clients applications.

On March 31, 2022, IRCC updated its online processing times tool for permanent residence and citizenship services to give clients more accurate estimates of how long it will take to process their application.