Canada Visa Delays: Indian Applicants Face 99-Day Wait as Processing Times Soar

Indian citizens applying for Canadian visitor visas now face an average 99-day processing wait. This is the longest delay among all major source countries. The data comes from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

The extended timelines affect various visa categories. Super visa applications from India are taking 169 days to process. These figures reflect a significant backlog in the system.

Widespread Delays Across Immigration Categories

The processing overhaul shows 80% of applications are now handled in real-time. According to Immigration News Canada, the department recently redesigned its processing interface. This change provides more accurate, frequently updated timelines.

Several factors contribute to the lengthy waits. Background checks, application volume, and submission location all impact processing speed. The system is struggling with high demand.

Citizenship applications are also experiencing major delays. A staggering 290,700 applicants are currently awaiting decisions. The average processing period for citizenship now stretches to 13 months.

Family and Humanitarian Applications Hit Hardest

Family sponsorship programs face some of the most severe delays. Inland spousal sponsorship applications typically take 20 months to process. Applications filed outside Canada require about 14 months.

The situation is particularly challenging in Quebec. Both sponsorship types take nearly three years there due to additional provincial requirements. Parents and grandparents face waits reaching 50 months in Quebec.

Humanitarian cases face the most extreme delays. Applications for humanitarian and compassionate consideration can take over ten years to process. Protected persons and refugee applications require 100 to 106 months depending on the province.

The extensive Canada visa delays are creating significant challenges for Indian applicants and families seeking reunification. These processing times represent a major hurdle in Canada’s immigration system that affects thousands of lives annually.

Info at your fingertips

What is causing the Canada visa delays for Indian applicants?

Several factors contribute to the delays. These include comprehensive background checks, high application volumes, and varying processing times at different submission locations. The system is managing significant backlogs across multiple categories.

How long does a Canadian super visa take to process from India?

Super visa applications from India currently take approximately 169 days. This is significantly longer than the visitor visa processing time of 99 days. Both categories face extended waiting periods.

Are citizenship applications also experiencing delays?

Yes, citizenship applications face substantial delays. About 290,700 applicants are awaiting decisions with average processing taking 13 months. Citizenship certificate delays can reach nine months.

Which visa categories have the worst delays?

Family sponsorships and humanitarian applications face the most severe delays. Inland spousal sponsorships take 20 months, while humanitarian cases can take over ten years to process completely.

How do Quebec processing times compare to other provinces?

Quebec experiences longer processing times due to additional provincial requirements. Family sponsorships in Quebec take nearly three years, while parents and grandparents face waits up to 50 months.

Trusted Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Immigration News Canada