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Are you planning to work in Canada? Then, you must know about the Canadian work visa processing time. The processing time is when processing your application after you send it. It starts the day you submit your visa application form. Understanding the work visa processing time will allow you to make the travel arrangements beforehand. Therefore, it is a crucial part of the work visa application process. This blog covers everything you need to know about the work visa processing time.
This Blog Includes:
- When Does the Canada Work Visa Processing Time Start?
- Factors that Affect the Canada Work Visa Processing Time
- How Long Does it Take to Get a Canadian Work Visa?
- Canada Work Permit Processing Time after Biometrics
- What is the Canada Work Permit Processing Time after LMIA?
- What is the Canada Visa Stamping Processing Time?
- What is the Fastest Work Permit in Canada?
- How Many Years Does it Take to Get a Work Permit in Canada?
- How Much Bank Balance is Required for a Canada Work Visa?
- Can I Stay in Canada While Waiting for a Work Permit?
- Is a Canada Work Permit Hard to Get?
- FAQs
When Does the Canada Work Visa Processing Time Start?
The day when you have completed the visa application form and submitted it is the day when the visa application processing would start. The processing period would end when a decision has been made on your visa application. Therefore,
- If you have submitted an online application- The processing time will start the day when you have submitted the online application.
- If you have submitted an email application- The processing would start when the email reaches the immigration authorities.
Factors that Affect the Canada Work Visa Processing Time
The processing time provided by authorities is the normal work visa processing time. In exceptional cases, the processing time can take longer. There are several reasons for it. Some of these reasons are provided below:
- The application time- The processing time of a study, work, family reunification, etc is different.
- The completion of the application form- If the visa application is incomplete then the immigration authorities will ask you to submit additional documents. This can take up more time than expected.
- Ease of verification of information- Another thing, that affects the visa application processing time is how easily the authorities can verify the information provided. If the verification requires more time, the processing time can be delayed.
- How long you would take to respond to the requests– A visa official might ask for additional information or documents to be submitted. If you delay in responding to such queries, then the visa application processing can also get delayed.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Canadian Work Visa?
The Canada work visa processing time depends on whether you are inside or outside Canada at the time of application. Therefore, we have provided the standard work visa processing time for temporary residence for work in both cases.
| Permit | Processing Time |
| Canada work permit for applicants outside Canada) | 19 weeks |
| Canada work permit for applicants inside Canada | 171 days |
| Canada work permit for applicants inside Canada ( visa extension) | 171 days |
The immigration authorities prioritise the application processing for essential occupations. Therefore, if you are not planning to undertake an essential occupation your processing time can be longer.
Canada Work Permit Processing Time after Biometrics
The canada work visa processing time after the submission of biometric information is provided below. The processing time would differ based on the type of work visa you are applying for.
| Application Type | Permit | Processing Time |
| Economic Immigration | Provincial Nominees | 6 months |
| Economic Immigration | Skilled workers (federal) – Express Entry online applicant | 5 months |
| Economic Immigration | Skilled trades (federal) | NA |
| Economic Immigration | Skilled workers (Quebec) | 11 months |
| Economic Immigration | Start-up visa | 40 months |
| Economic Immigration | Self-employed persons (federal) | 48 months |
| Economic Immigration | Caregiver (Home Child Care Provider with more than 12 years of experience) | 38 months |
| Economic Immigration | Caregiver (Home Child Care Provider with less than 12 years of experience) | 38 months |
| Economic Immigration | Caregiver (home support worker pilot) with more than 12 years of experience | 18 months |
| Economic Immigration | Caregiver (home support worker pilot) with less than 12 years of experience | 32 months |
| Economic Immigration | Quebec Business class | 71 months |
| Temporary Residence for working | Work permit from outside Canada | 19 weeks |
| Temporary Residence for working | Work permit from inside Canada | 171 days |
| Family Sponsorship | Spouse/conjugal partner/common-law partner | 10-36 months (depending on whether you are living inside or outside Quebec) |
| Family Sponsorship | Dependent child | 9 months |
| Family Sponsorship | Parents/grandparents | 24-48 months (depending on whether you are living inside or outside Quebec) |
| Family Sponsorship | Adopted child/other relative | NA |
What is the Canada Work Permit Processing Time after LMIA?
The Canada work permit processing time after the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) would start the moment you submit your application online. If you are living in India, and are applying for a work permit it will take around 19 weeks to be processed. That is if you are seeking for a temporary residence for work. In General, it is estimated that a Canada work visa processing period is between 60 days to 90 days.
Want to learn more about the Canada LMIA? You can watch this video:
What is the Canada Visa Stamping Processing Time?
The Canada visa stamping processing time depends on the visa volumes and the visa type. After the IRCC sends a passport submission request, you are required to submit your passport through VFS Global India. The VFS Global would then forward your application to the Canada visa office for a visa stamping process. The processing time for the same is provided below:
| Particulars | Processing Time |
| Fast Cases | 10-15 days |
| Longer waiting period | 25 days or more especially during peak period |
What is the Fastest Work Permit in Canada?
Canada has launched several programs which can process your visa application fast. Some of these programs and the Canada work visa processing time are provided below:
| Fastest Work Permits | Average Processing Time Taken |
| Global Skills Strategy (GSS) | Within 2 weeks |
| Fast-Track Work Permit | Within 2 weeks |
| International Experience Canada (IEC) | 6 weeks |
| Global Talent Stream | Within 2 weeks |
| Express Entry | 6 months or less than 6 months |
How Many Years Does it Take to Get a Work Permit in Canada?
The Canada work permit application doesn’t take years. The work permit applications are processed within 1-9 months. The application processing time starts the moment the IRCC receives your application. The processing time would end when a decision has been made.
How Much Bank Balance is Required for a Canada Work Visa?
As a foreigner, you need to show a minimum amount of funds in your bank account. The amount is provided below. The amount required depends on the size of your family. Note- 1 here would refer to yourself.
| Number of Family Members | Amount of Money You Need |
| 1 | CAD 14,690 |
| 2 | CAD 18,288 |
| 3 | CAD 22,483 |
| 4 | CAD 27,297 |
| 5 | CAD 30,690 |
| 6 | CAD 34,917 |
| 7 | CAD 38,875 |
| If more than 7 people (for each additional family member you can add) | CAD 3,958 |
Note: proof of funds does not have to be provided for applicants who are authorized to work in Canada and have a job offer letter. That is if they have applied under the Federal Skilled Trades Program or the Federal Skilled Worker.
Learn about the Canada Cost of Living
Can I Stay in Canada While Waiting for a Work Permit?
Yes. You can stay in Canada while you wait for a work permit approval. However, this is only possible in certain circumstances. That is,
- You have maintained your status- This means that you have applied for a work permit before your current permit expires. In such a case, you are allowed to stay in Canada and continue working till the canada work visa processing time is over.
- Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)- Those who are changing theri status from a temporary work permit holder to a permanent resident and meet the requirements, can get a BOWP. This permit allows you to work while you ae waiting for permanent resident approval.
Is a Canada Work Permit Hard to Get?
The difficulty level of obtaining a Canadian work permit depends on several factors. For example, if you have received a job offer with LMIA support or a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment, or are undertaking a job with a high demand you can easily get a work permit. At present the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications have a success rate of 65 to 75%. This means that as long as you meet the requirements you can get a work permit.
The common reason for a Canada work permit refusal is a lack of sufficient documents. For example, proof of funds. Another common reason for visa rejection is a fake job offer. Whether you will get the Canadian work permit or not depends solely on your application. This is mainly because each application is different.
Learn about the Permanent Resident Visa in Canada
FAQs
You can receive a permanent resident sponsorship from a permanent resident, a person registered in Canada as an Indian (as per the Canada India Act), or a citizen of Canada if you are a close relative. On the other hand, if you are looking for a work visa sponsorship, you need to get a job offer from a Canadian employer.
The time it will take to process a visa application depends on the visa type. Typically, a temporary resident for working applications are approved within 19 weeks. On the other hand, if you are applying for a Skilled workers (Quebec) permit it will take 11 months to receive your permit.
To get a Canada work visa from Indian first apply for a job in Canda. Once, you get hired by a Canadian employer you will receive a job offer letter. Thereafter, you need to get a positive response from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Thereafter, you can apply for a work permit.
We hope you now understand what are the Canada work visa processing time. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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