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Applications Processed Outside of Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1. Why has Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) posted these statistics?

These tables have been prepared so that people who visit the Web site will be able to easily access information on application processing at visa offices around the world.

The tables show the number of days or months that were required to approve or refuse applications at each visa office last year.

Q 2. What does “finalize” mean on these tables?

Finalize means applications that have been approved or refused.

Q 3. What is included in the processing time information?

Processing times are calculated from the date that an application is received until the date that the application is finalized.

Q 4. Why are there differences in processing times in different regions or sometimes between offices within the same region?

Visa offices face different challenges operating in different countries, regions and even in different offices within the same region. For example, mail service in some countries and regions may be slower than in others. As a result, the time it takes to process applications varies from office to office.

Q 5. Why are there differences in processing times for different types of applications?

Certain categories of applications, such as those for:

• sponsored spouses;
• partners; and
• dependent children

are processed more quickly than others in order to meet public policy goals such as that of family reunification.

Q 6. If I submit an application today, will these statistics show me the length of time it will take to finalize my application?

Future processing times may not be the same as past processing times. The length of time it takes to finalize applications may vary from time to time.

These tables show the number of days or months that were required to approve or refuse applications at visa offices around the world during a twelve month period in the past.

Q 7. What is CIC doing to reduce the length of time it takes to process applications at Canadian visa offices?

CIC is committed to processing applications as quickly as possible.

We carefully monitor processing times and look for ways to reduce processing times, such as through regularly reassigning resources to the areas of greatest need.

We will continue to strive to decrease processing times.

Q 8. How often will these statistics be updated?

These tables will be updated every three months to reflect processing during the previous 12 months.