Hi @Miss bee , regarding the same, does this 18 to 24 months timeframe apply only for new Non EE or for those of us who have been processing for more than 9 months? I am wondering because there is a confusion regarding this, what the IRCC Call Center, MPs and Processing time website says.
On the website it says that it is X amount of months from when IRCC receives the complete file (AR date). When I sent it, it said 10 months. Today it says 20. My 10 months will be February 14. If I call the call center, they tell me that my time, independent of the months that I said when I sent the file, is the one I have now. I mention to them what the web says and they tell me that I am wrong. Is this the case?
1. Processing Timeframes
Official Processing Times: The IRCC website provides estimated processing times based on when they receive a complete application. This is generally referred to as the Application Received (AR) date.
Updated Timeframes: Processing times are dynamic and may increase or decrease depending on IRCC workload, backlogs, or operational changes. When processing times change after you submitted your application, IRCC applies the new estimate from your AR date, not the timeframe that was in effect when you initially applied.
2. New vs. Existing Applications
If IRCC has extended the timeframe (e.g., from 10 months to 20 months), this applies retroactively to all applications still in process.
For example, if you submitted your application 9 months ago, your processing time would align with the updated timeline of 20 months, meaning you might have 11 months remaining.
3. Conflicting Information
Call Center: Representatives often provide the latest estimated processing times, as they follow current policies and updates.
Website Estimates: These provide general guidance and are updated regularly but may not account for specific nuances of individual cases.
4. Key Points to Note
Case-Specific Variations: Factors like missing documents, security checks, or interviews can delay processing.
MP Inquiries: Members of Parliament (MPs) can inquire with IRCC on your behalf for clarity but will usually confirm the updated timeframe.
Communication: IRCC has the final say, so if there is confusion, consider requesting updates through the IRCC web form or an ATIP (Access to Information and Privacy) request for detailed status.
5. Conclusion
Yes, the 18-24 month timeframe (or the new timeframe) applies to all applications, including those submitted months ago, unless explicitly stated otherwise by IRCC. Unfortunately, the original timeframe (e.g., 10 months) isn’t guaranteed if there are processing updates after submission.