What is Canada PR process timeline?

Canada encourages immigrants to come and settle in the country.  The country has immigration friendly policies and offers various visa options for migrants. Added to this the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have made changes which have shortened the visa processing time.

The application processing time is the period between the receipt of your visa application by IRCC and the final decision to grant your PR visa.

However, the processing time varies for the different immigration programs that the country offers. So, the processing time depends on your choice of the immigration program. Among these, the most popular is the Express Entry system which also has the fastest processing time. The average processing time for the PR visa right from the filing of the application to getting the invitation to apply (ITA) from Canadian authorities is 5 to 8 months. It can even extend up to 12 months.

If you have applied for the Canada PR Visa through the Express Entry program the average time taken to process your PR visa will be just 6 months. So, if you are opting for the Express Entry system you can move into Canada within 6 to 9 months of your application. Of course, this depends on your point score and the clarity of your application.

As for the other popular immigration program – the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) the process is almost like the Express Entry program, the only difference is that the verification process takes a little longer. So, the total processing time is about 12 months.

Another popular immigration program is the Quebec skilled Workers Program (QSWP). This is a provincial program run by the Quebec province. The processing time here is different from the other PR visa programs. The average time for processing is between 12-16 months.

The IRCC requires the following documents with your PR visa application. You must submit all of them for your PR visa processing.

• Photographs
• Medical certificate
• Police clearance certificate
• Passport
• Work experience letter (Letter of Recommendation)
• Proof of funds (for FSW stream)
• Proof of language proficiency

Factors that determine processing time:

There are certain factors that determine the processing time of your Canada PR visa. They are:

Submission of requisite documents:

This is important if you want your visa to be processed quickly. You should submit all the required documents and they should be relevant and support the information provided in your application. Obviously, the time taken to collect and submit them will only extend the processing time.

The processing will take longer if you get requests for additional documents from the authorities. Ensure you submit the complete documentation. Check for any discrepancies between the information provided in the application and the supporting documents. Suppose there are discrepancies it will lead to delays in the processing of your visa.

Provision of correct credentials and verification documents:

Ensure you provide every document that validates your personal details, educational details, and work experience. This will help to quickly verify your identity. These documents must be original and validated by the issuing institution or the organization. Otherwise, the documents will be invalid and affect the processing of your visa.

Take care to ensure you have taken the required English proficiency tests such as IELTS and the scores are valid when you make your application.

Medical certificates and police verification documents:

These are mandatory to process your PR visa application. A medical certificate validates your physical health while a police certificate is a proof that you have no criminal record.  You will also have to get these certificates for dependents who will be coming with you to Canada.

If there is a delay in the processing of your visa application, there could be various reasons. These can be: Your medical and police records take longer than usual for validation You need to undergo an interview by the immigration authorities Slow response from your end for any requests for information by the authorities You communicate through e-mail instead of using an online account A high number of applications which extend the processing time

The timeline for processing your Canada PR Visa Application depends on a lot of factors-your choice of the immigration program, submission of the required documents, and valid medical, police and other certifications. Any delay from your side in adhering to the visa application process will obviously mean a longer timeline before you get your PR Visa.

Consult an immigration expert who can expertly walk you through the PR visa application process so that the processing time is expedited, and you get your Canadian PR Visa on time.

If you are planning to migrate to Canada, browse through latest Canada Immigration News & Visa Rules.