Applications processed in Canada

This page will tell you the length of time CIC’s case processing centres (CPCs) currently need to process certain applications. The times posted on this page are for applications CIC processes in Canada and include applications for:

Types of Applications:

• sponsorship applications;
• permanent resident cards;
• permanent residence;
• temporary residence; and
• certified copies and replacements of documents.

The processing times are updated weekly, so check often.

How to use this page
Make sure you note the type of application you submit as well as the date you submit it. The table will tell you which CPC is responsible for processing each type of application.

You can estimate the amount of time it will take to process your application. Note the date in the column “Processing Applications Received up to”, then add the amount of time posted in the column “Current Processing Time” to the date you submitted your application. This will give you an approximate date as to when you should receive a response from CIC. These processing times include a 10–day mailing period.

Read the tips for clients to help avoid delays in the processing of applications.

If after reading this page you need more information, please contact the Call Centre. Please note that Call Centre agents cannot speed up the process of your application or make decisions on your case.

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In–Canada Application Processing Times

(last updated March 8, 2010)

CPC Mississauga		Processing Applications Received Up To	Current Processing Time
Sponsorship Processing times are for the in–Canada portion of the application process (see note 1)	Adopted Children, Children to be Adopted and Orphans	Processed daily on a priority basis
	Parents and Grandparents	May 11, 2007	34 months
	Acknowledgment of receipt letter issued for applications to sponsor parents and grandparents	February 16, 2010
	Spouse, Common–Law or Conjugal Partner, Dependent Children and Other Relatives	January 11, 2010	66 days

CPC PRC Sydney		Processing Applications Received Up To	Current Processing Time
Permanent Resident Card (see note 3)	Initial, replacement or renewal of PR card for existing permanent residents	January 4, 2010	88 days
	Newly arriving permanent residents (once Canadian mailing address is provided)	30 days

Please note: Due to an extraordinary circumstance related to our electronic scanning system, PR card processing times have increased significantly. We are working quickly to fix this problem and apologize for any inconvenience it causes. Once the technical issues have been resolved, we will make every effort to clear the backlog of files and reduce processing times.
 
If you require your PR card urgently, please follow the instructions.  

CPC Vegreville		Processing Applications Received Up To	Current Processing Time
Permanent Residence Applications Processing times are for “First Stage Approval” (see note 4)	Humanitarian and Compassionate Cases	September 22, 2009	5-6 months
	Live–in Caregiver	September 1, 2009	6 months
	Protected Persons and Convention Refugees	October 20, 2009	4-5 months
	Spouse or Common–Law Partner Class	September 1, 2009	6 months
Temporary Residence Includes Work, Study, Visitor, Temporary Residents Permit and Restoration of Status	Protected Persons Status Document (IMM 5520)	February 16, 2010	16 days
	Study Permit (IMM 5552) (see note 5)	January 24, 2010	39 days
	Online (Study and Off–Campus Work Permits)	February 1, 2010	31 days
	Visitor Extension or change of Conditions (IMM 5551)	January 11, 2010	52 days
	Work Permits (Same Employer Unit 202) (IMM 5553)	January 23, 2010	40 days
	Work Permits (New Employer Unit 555) (IMM 5553)	February 5, 2010	27 days

Note: On–line applications include a 5–day mailing period, all other applications include a 10 day mailing period.

Query Response Centre		Processing Applications Received Up To	Current Processing Time
Certified true copy, correction, or replacement of an immigration document	Verification of entry (IMM 5545) (See Note 6)	January 26, 2010	6 weeks
	Amendments to Records of Landing/Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5218)	October 6, 2009	5-6 months

Sponsorship
(1) There is a two–step process involved in family class applications: the assessment of the sponsorship application in Canada and the assessment of the permanent residence application outside Canada by the visa office. There are separate processing times for each of these two steps. Find information on visa office processing times for permanent residence applications for spouses, common–law or conjugal partners; dependent children; parents and grandparents; and sponsorship applications for adopted children and other relatives.

(2) Applications for adopted children and children who will be adopted are processed on a priority basis, usually within 10 days of their receipt at the CPC.

Permanent Resident Card
(3) Includes approximate contact time needed by the local office.

Permanent Resident Applications
(4) Not all cases receive “first stage of approval” at CPC Vegreville. Some files may be transferred to a local CIC office. This may add further delays to the overall processing time.

Student Work Permits
(5) These processing times apply only to those applications submitted to unit 101 of the CPC. If you sent your application for a Post Graduation Work Permit or Co–op Program Work Permit to either unit 202 or 555 of the CPC, your application will be processed within regular work permit application delays. CPC Vegreville will prioritize these cases as best as possible to ensure that all Student Work Permit applicants obtain permits as soon as possible.

Certified copies and corrections
(6) Processing times are average times and do not include processing times of the CIC local offices.

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