USEFUL INFORMATION(S)
Alert – Strike Action
The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) union is currently taking strike action. PAFSO union members responsible for processing visa applications have been walking out of offices in Canada and overseas without advance notice.
Posted processing times for both temporary and permanent resident visa applications do not take into account work stoppages.Anyone applying for a visa should anticipate delays and submit their application online as far in advance as possible.
To avoid delays, please submit a complete application. Some countries require additional documents that may not be listed in your application package. Find out if you need to submit country-specific documents by consulting the website of your visa office.
Contingency plans are already in place to ensure all offices remain open and are providing at least a minimum level of service. Priority will be placed on urgent humanitarian applications.
CIC continues to closely monitor the situation.
Link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/other.asp
Date Modified: 2013-08-09
Why are there differences in processing times among regions and offices?
Visa offices face different challenges operating in different countries and regions, and even in different offices within the same region. Various factors can affect the time it takes to process applications, including:
•the number of applications received;
•the resources at an office;
•the length of time an applicant takes to respond to requests for information;
•the need for medical and security screening; and
•differences in mail service.
Link:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=069&t=3
Date Modified:2013-08-16
Why do some application processing times change and others do not?
This is normal because the volume of applications may vary from one month to the next. Rest assured that files are still being processed.
In many cases, a file is waiting in a queue for initial review. Applications are processed in the order in which they arrive. Some take longer to process than others. There is no maximum time frame for reviewing an application.
Link:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=032&t=3
Date Modified: 2013-08-16
How are processing times calculated?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) calculates processing times from the day CIC receives an application to the day it makes a decision on the application.
When estimating how long you will wait to receive a temporary visa, you must also take into account up to 10 days of transit or delivery time on top of CIC's processing time. The time your application will spend travelling to and from CIC will vary depending on where you live.
Link:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=068&t=3
Date Modified: 2013-08-16
If I apply today, will the processing times show how long it will take to finalize my application?
No. The processing times only show the time it took visa offices to approve or refuse 80 percent of applications during a specified period in the past. They may not accurately predict future processing times.
Link:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=070&t=3
Date Modified: 2013-08-16