The estimated processing time for a number of visa categories in Canada has been extended, meaning that Pakistanis who are looking to study, work in Canada or visit their family relatives may also experience longer processing times.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued the latest update on processing times for study permits, work permits, visitor visas and super visas for Pakistan.
Study permits are now taking an estimated 7 weeks to process, up from 6 weeks.
In the meantime, the processing time for the applications for a work permit is expected to be 11 weeks, but previously it was 10 weeks.
The processing times for regular visitor visas have increased from 40 days to 43 days.
The processing time for the Canadian Super Visa, which extends the stay of the parent and grandparent visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, has also risen slightly from 194 days to 196 days.
Canadian immigration officials noted that the dates listed on the IRCC webpage are only estimates and only start when they have the applicant’s full application and the applicant’s biometrics, fingerprints and photo.
It is also important to note that applicants may have to wait for a few extra days for the biometric appointment in VFS centres in Pakistan as well, which could lead to a longer visa processing period than what is indicated.
The delays are a sign of increasing pressure on Canada’s immigration system as applications from around the world keep coming in, experts say.
There is also a considerable number of pending cases, which has placed a heavy burden on immigration offices, leading to extended processing times for various visa types.
Seasonal demand is also a significant factor. Canada sees a spike in study permit applications every year leading up to the September academic intake, and visitor and work visa applications often spike in the summer travel season, adding to the pressure and long processing times for applicants to the immigration system.
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