Maple News reports that for most study permit applicants, the action isn’t in the moment of submission—it unfolds after you’ve completed biometrics. The processing clock starts only once IRCC has received your biometrics, and the 30-day biometrics window (plus time at the VAC) does not count toward published processing times. If you can’t meet the 30-day window, you can explain your situation via the IRCC web form.
Stage One — Completeness check and intake. In the first week after biometrics, IRCC verifies that all required documents are present and fees are paid. If the file is incomplete, it will be returned or you’ll be asked to supply missing documents. If complete, the file moves to substantive review, where eligibility and security checks take place. Expect an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) email with your application number, and a status update in your online portal that may shift from ‘Review of eligibility’ to ‘In Progress’.
Stage Two — Eligibility review. IRCC assesses whether you meet the study permit requirements, including admission to a designated learning institution, sufficient funds, ties to your home country, and intent to leave Canada when your status expires. The online guidance notes that this is the stage where the initial eligibility determination is made, and the portal may show changes from ‘In Progress’ to ‘Completed’ if your case is straightforward. At the same time, background checks run in parallel and can slow processing, especially for applicants from certain countries where deeper security screening is triggered. It’s common for eligibility to finish before the background checks.
Stage Three — Medical exam (if applicable). Not every applicant needs a medical exam. Medical requirements depend on factors such as how long you’ll stay in Canada and your travel or work history, particularly if you’ve lived in or visited certain places or you’ll work in health-related roles. When required, medical results are valid for 12 months for temporary residents; if IRCC doesn’t finalize the application within that window, you may be asked to redo the exam.
Reading your IRCC account: what the status lines mean. A typical study permit file shows lines for Review of eligibility, Review of medical results, Background check, and Biometrics. Each line can be Not started, In Progress, Completed, Waiting on You, or Exempted. The final decision line stays Not Started until the others are resolved; when it switches to Completed, a decision has been made, sometimes before you receive an email.
Delays and signals a decision may be near. Processing times vary by country, and many applications exceed posted times by a few weeks without being unusual. If you find yourself waiting four weeks or more beyond the posted time, you may consider requesting GCMS notes through the ATIP process to gain more insight into the source of the delay. Signals that a decision is approaching include completion of the eligibility and biometrics lines, or a timely response to requests for additional information.
Do’s and don’ts while you wait. Avoid submitting web forms for updates unless you’re past the published processing time, as responses typically reiterate the same timelines. Do not submit a second study permit application, which can trigger extra manual reviews and slow your file. Be wary of anyone promising an expedited outcome, as there is no fast-track path inside IRCC. Finally, keep your contact information current and respond promptly to any Waiting on You requests to avoid refusal for non-response.
Maple News will continue to monitor processing trends and provide practical guidance to help applicants navigate the stages from biometrics to a final decision.