Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its processing timelines to reflect ongoing delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. IRCC continues to operate at full capacity, but the department acknowledges that backlogs remain across multiple application streams due to pandemic-related disruptions.
The department is giving priority to applicants who are exempt from current travel restrictions. According to the IRCC, updated timelines are now available for key immigration categories, with estimates based on decisions made for approximately 80% of submitted applications. Complex cases may continue to encounter longer delays.
In the permanent residence (PR) category, IRCC is currently finalizing most Canadian Experience Class applications submitted between May 24 and May 30, 2020. While work continues at full capacity, applicants should be prepared for longer-than-usual processing times.
For permanent resident (PR) cards, new cards are generally being processed in about 125 days, while renewals are taking roughly 80 days. Applicants are encouraged to consult IRCC’s online application status portal using their identification details for the most accurate updates.
Citizenship-related processes have also seen delays. Applicants who have received an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) letter can expect most Grant of Citizenship applications from late March to early April 2019 to be finalized soon. Those still awaiting their AOR are seeing action on submissions received in January 2021. For Proof of Citizenship documents, current processing times are estimated at about five months.
In the family sponsorship stream, inland applications for sponsoring spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children are being finalized for files received between September 29 and October 5, 2019. Outland sponsorship files from late May to early June 2019 are also in processing. Applications for sponsoring parents, grandparents, adopted children, and relatives can be tracked via individual online accounts.
Temporary workers applying through the Global Skills Strategy are seeing their work permit applications processed for submissions received between September 20 and 26, 2020. For those inside Canada, online and paper-based work permit applications from December 13 to 19, 2020 are currently being addressed. Asylum claimant applications from the first weeks of December 2020 are similarly in progress.
Study permit processing, including extensions and student-related work permits, is focused on applications received between December 13 and 19, 2020. Foreign students may enter Canada if they are attending Designated Learning Institutions with approved COVID-19 readiness plans or had their study permits approved before March 18, 2020.
For visitors, IRCC urges applicants to monitor their Electronic Travel Authorization or Visitor Visa application status online. Paper applicants can link their files to an online account for real-time updates and communication from IRCC.
Although processing delays remain a challenge, IRCC emphasizes transparency and encourages applicants to use its digital tools to stay informed. Maple News will continue monitoring developments as Canada’s immigration system adapts to post-pandemic recovery.