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Updated August 2023
Canada offers a variety of visa options, including visitor visas, study permits, and work permits, each with its own distinct processing time. These processing times can vary significantly between visa categories. For individuals planning to travel to or settle in Canada, the processing time for a visa is a crucial consideration.
It is essential to have a clear understanding of the estimated timeframe in order to effectively organize travel plans, schedule appointments, and maintain realistic expectations. Continue reading to gain further insight into the processing time for Canadian visas.
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Canada visa processing time 2023
The processing time required for the Canada visa depends on the type of visa and the country you’re applying from. Furthermore, processing times may vary based on:
- the type of application submitted
- if the application is complete
- how quickly the visa office processes applications
- how easily the visa office can verify your information
- how long you take to respond to any request or concerns
- other factors
While we cannot provide you with the average processing time for a Canada visa, you can find out the processing time for the specific visa you are applying for by following the steps outlined below:
- visit the Government of Canada website
- select the application type and the visa you are applying for
- select the country you are applying from (if applicable)
- click on ‘Get processing time’
To provide you with an overview of the potential processing times, based on the aforementioned checking process, the estimated processing times for a Canada visitor visa from Dubai are as follows:
- visitor visa (outside of Canada) – 23 months
- visitor visa extension – 154 days (online) to 105 days (paper)
For a Canadian work permit from the UAE, the processing time is approximately 26 weeks. However, for a Canadian study permit applied outside Canada, the average processing time is around 7 weeks, but this can vary depending on specific circumstances.
Moving on to Pakistan, the processing time for a Canadian work permit is about 23 weeks, according to the Government of Canada’s website. For a Canada visitor visa from Pakistan, the processing times are as follows: if you apply for a visitor visa from outside of Canada, it typically takes 13 to 14 months. In the case of a visitor visa extension, the processing time ranges from 154 days (online) to 105 days (paper-based application).
Canada visa processing time after biometrics 2023
Typically, applicants are required to submit their biometrics when applying for a Canada visa. According to some sources, it is estimated to take approximately 8 weeks to receive a valid visa after submitting biometrics along with the visa application to the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
However, it is strongly advised to consult your embassy/consulate or the visa application center for accurate and up-to-date information regarding the processing time for a Canada visa. They will be able to provide you with the most reliable and current details related to the visa application process.
