CIMM - Processing Times

Key Messages

• Overall global volumes of temporary and permanent resident applications have increased significantly over the past few years. The Department is taking advantage of capacity in our global network so that applications can be processed more quickly through updates to technology.
• Although the Department has made significant progress in reducing processing times and inventories across many permanent and temporary resident categories, we will continue to make improving services for our clients a priority.

Supplementary Messages

Acceptance/Refusal Rates

• All applications from around the world are assessed equally by highly trained officers against the same criteria, as laid out in the Immigration, Refugees and Protection Act.
• There is absolutely no discrimination in our assessment process.

Different Processing Times for Different Countries

• The actual time it takes to process an application varies according to a number of factors, such as:
  • the type of application being submitted and the volume of those applications being processed at a given time and place/country;
  • how well and how quickly applicants respond to requests from IRCC to provide additional information (including medical examinations);
  • how easily IRCC can verify the information provided;
  • the complexity of an application; and
  • departmental priorities, capacity and resources.
• There are factors beyond IRCC’s control: difficulty establishing identity, lack of access to applicants, missing documentation and difficulty establishing family relationships are all common challenges in processing applications.
• Additionally, in some countries, the Department is not able to establish a presence, such as a processing office or visa application centre, affecting our ability to conduct interviews, collect biometrics and verify documents.

Supporting Facts and Figures

Temporary Resident Visas

• In 2019, the number of temporary resident visa applications received from around the world increased 80% from 2013.
• In 2019, the number of temporary resident applications received was 3,491,400 (in persons) (as of December 31, 2019).
• In 2019, a total of 1,414,830 temporary resident visas were issued (in persons).
• 69% of visitor visa applications were finalized within the 14‑day service standard.
• The processing time for temporary resident applications was 40 days.

Study and Work Permits

• In 2019, 415,666 international students were issued study permits (including extensions) to study in Canada, an 81% increase from 2015.
• 93% of the new study permits were finalized within the 60-day service standard.
• 557,485 temporary workers were issued work permits (including extensions) to work in Canada in 2019.
• 87% of new work permit applications were finalized within the 60-day service standard.        

Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs)

• Over 4.1 millions eTAs were issued to visitors travelling to Canada in 2019.
• 100% of eTAs automated approvals were finalized within the service standard.

Permanent Residents

• IRCC’s permanent resident target for 2019 was 330,800.
• Admissions of permanent residents grew from 247,243 in 2008 to 341,181 in 2019.
• At the end of January 2020, the Department was at, or near, the 80% service standard for four of the 7 permanent resident business lines including:
  • Canadian Experience Class (85%)
  • Federal Skilled Worker Class (77%)
  • Provincial/Territorial Nominee Class – via Express Entry (79%)
  • Family Class Priority (spouses, partners and children) (78%)
• 2019 Permanent Resident Processing times* were as follows:
  • Economic - 16 months
  • Family Class - 14 months
  • Humanitarian & Compassionate / Public Policy - 31 months
  • Permit Holders Class - 9 months
  • Protected Persons - 23 months

  *Processing times refer to the time in which 80% of applications were finalized by IRCC.

• The processing inventory for permanent resident applications was just over 407,930 (in persons) as of December 31, 2019.
• In 2019, over 409,950 permanent resident applications were processed (in persons).

Background

Advanced analytics/artificial intelligence:

• IRCC is looking at new ways to manage our increasing volume of temporary resident visa applications.
• In 2018, IRCC launched two pilot projects using computer analytics to help officers triage online temporary resident visa applications from China and India.
• The goal is to help officers to identify applications that are routine and straightforward for thorough but faster processing and to triage files that are more complex for a more thorough review.
• The computer analytics system does not automate final decisions. Officers make the final decision in all cases.
• The system never automatically refuses applications.
• Protecting the safety and security of Canadians remains a priority. In all cases, officers have to screen for security and criminality for all applications.
• We are monitoring and assessing the results and success of these pilots before we launch or consider expanding it to other countries and lines of business.