Canada’s visa application process for Indian applicants, including temporary resident visas and permanent residency, involves varying processing times across different streams. Keep in mind that these times are subject to change and can depend on the specific circumstances of your application. Always check Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) website for the latest information.
Work Permits and Visas
Work permits allow foreign individuals to work and reside in Canada for the duration of their permit. It’s essential to distinguish between visas and permits: permits enable legal residence, work, and study in Canada, while visas grant entry into the country.
- Work permit (applying from India): 9 weeks.
- Work permit (applying inside Canada, initial and extension): 128 days
- Online: 47 days on paper.
Study Permits and Visas
Study permits enable foreign nationals to study and reside in Canada, with some provisions for part-time or full-time work during studies.
- Study permit (applying from India): 8 weeks.
- Study permit (applying inside Canada): 5 weeks.
- Study permit extension: 75 days online, 91 days on paper.
- Student Direct Stream: 20 days (assuming all criteria are met).
Visitor Visas
Indian citizens visiting Canada require a visitor visa. Visitor visas do not include permits for work or study but can be extended using a visitor record.
- Visitor visa (applying from India): 31 days.
- Visitor visa (from inside Canada): 16 days online, 47 days on paper.
- Visitor extension (visitor record): 55 days online, 102 days on paper.
Economic Class Immigration
Economic class immigration covers various programs, including Express Entry programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class), Provincial Nominee Programs, Atlantic Immigration Program, Self-Employed persons Program, Start-up Visa, Quebec immigration streams (Quebec Business Class, Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program), and caregiver pathways. Successful candidates receive Canadian permanent residence upon arrival.
- Atlantic Immigration Program: 6 months.
- Canadian Experience Class: 5 months.
- Home Child Care Provider Pilot: Depends on application timing and work experience.
- Home Support Worker Pilot: Depends on application timing and work experience.
- Provincial Nominees: 8 months if applied online through Express Entry, 16 months if not.
- Self-Employed Persons Program (federal): 52 months.
- Quebec Business Class: 61 months.
- Federal Skilled Worker: 6 months.
- Federal Skilled Trades: Data insufficient.
- Quebec Skilled Worker: 15 months.
- Start-up Visa: 37 months.
Family Sponsorship Immigration
Canadian permanent residents and citizens of Indian origin can sponsor Indian spouses, dependent children, or other family members to come to Canada. The main pathways include Spousal sponsorships, Dependent child sponsorships, the Super Visa, and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
- Spouse or common-law partner living in Canada: 10 months outside Quebec, 25 months in Quebec.
- Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner living in Canada: 13 months outside Quebec, 24 months in Quebec.
- Super Visa (Parents or Grandparents living in India): 53 days.
- Dependent Child (living in India): 10 months.
- Parents and Grandparents Program: 21 months outside Quebec, 46 months in Quebec.
- Adopted child or other relative (living in India): 22 months.
Stay informed by using IRCC‘s processing times tool for the latest updates on processing times.