Service standards
Our commitment
We aim to process 80% of applications within the service standards. Our ability to achieve these goals could be affected by factors such as changes in CIC operations or factors beyond departmental control such as incomplete applications, or the need for additional information. For example, an application may take longer than the service standard if it was submitted without all of the required documents.
The times shown in tables below are from the date we receive your complete application package/request to the date of the final decision. Please note that all of our standards are calculated in calendar days.
Immigration Applications: Permanent Residence
| Type of Request | Service Standard |
|---|---|
| Initial Permanent Resident Card | 2 months (from the time the confirmation of permanent residence form is completed at a port of entry or at a CIC-inland office) |
| Type of Application | Service Standard |
|---|---|
| Skilled workers: (received 26JUN10 to present) | 1 year |
| Provincial nominees and Quebec-selected skilled workers | 11 months (does not include provincial processing time) |
| Canadian Experience Class | 10 months |
| Type of Application | Service Standard |
|---|---|
| Spouses, Common-Law Partners, Conjugal Partners and Dependent Children Overseas | 1 year |
For more information: if it has been longer than the time shown above since you applied, and you live:
outside Canada
You may contact the visa office that is processing your application. The Call Centre does not have information about applications processed outside Canada.
inside Canada
Please contact the Call Centre. However, Call Centre agents cannot speed up the process of your application or make decisions on your case.
Immigration Applications: Temporary Residence
| Type of Application | Service Standard |
|---|---|
| Work permit: application submitted outside Canada All programs (excluding Live-in Caregiver Program) outside Canada |
2 months |
| Work permit: application submitted outside Canada (LCP outside Canada) |
1 year 4 months |
| Work permit: application submitted in Canada (New employer) |
4 months |
| Work permit: application submitted in Canada (Same employer) |
4 months |
| Work permit: application submitted in Canada (Off Campus Work Permit) |
4 months |
| Type of Application | Service Standard |
|---|---|
| Visitor: New visa submitted outside Canada | 2 weeks |
| Type of Application | Service Standard |
|---|---|
| Study permit: new permit submitted outside Canada | 2 months |
| Study permit: new permit and permit extensions submitted in Canada | 4 months |
| Type of Request | Service Standard |
|---|---|
| Opinion to Employers on Exemption from Labour Market Opinion | 14 days |
For more information: if it has been longer than the time shown above since you applied, and you live:
outside Canada
You may contact the visa office that is processing your application. The Call Centre does not have information about applications processed outside Canada.
inside Canada
Please contact the Call Centre. However, Call Centre agents cannot speed up the process of your application or make decisions on your case.
Grants and Contributions Service Standards
| Activities | Service Standard |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgement Written confirmation that the proposal was received by the Department. |
(within) 10 days From the closing date of the Call for Proposals |
| Eligibility Written confirmation that the applicant and proposal meet or do not meet eligibility criteria. |
(within) 40 days From the closing date of the Call for Proposals. |
| Decision Written confirmation of decision. OR Notice that the Department needs additional time to process application. |
(within) 125 days From the closing date of the Call for Proposals |
For more information, if it has been longer than the timelines shown above, you may contact us about your
Call for Proposal Application
- Date Modified:
