IRCC Implements Forward-Looking Approach to Estimate Application Processing Times

Overview

• IRCC will now publish estimated processing times online using “forward-looking” processing times.
• This is to help applicants better predict how long it will take to process their applications.
• The updated processing times will be available for several high-volume immigration programs, including:
  • Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)
  • Provincial Nominees Program (Express Entry and non-Express Entry)
  • Federal Skilled Workers (Express Entry)
  • Quebec Skilled Workers
  • Citizenship grants
  • Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)
  • Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada
  • Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner living outside Canada
  • Parents or grandparents

Reasons for the Change

• A report by the Office of the Auditor General last October recommended that IRCC change how it calculates processing times.
• The report said IRCC should provide “online information on processing times for all PR applications, taking into consideration the volume and age of applications already in the system.”
• This update is one of IRCC’s first steps to address the report’s recommendations.
• Updated service standards can be expected by the end of this year.

How Forward-Looking Processing Times Work

• IRCC will estimate processing times based on the total number of applications waiting and the number they expect to process.
• This can change depending on factors like immigration levels, processing capacity, and seasonal changes in application types.
• In the past, IRCC has used “backward-looking” processing times, based on how long it took to process 80% of applications in the previous 6 months for permanent residence, or 8-16 weeks for temporary residence.
• The backward-looking method will still be used for temporary residence applications like study permits, work permits, and visitor visas.