Canada Visa Backlog Grows; Indians Wait Over 3 Months
Indian applicants seeking Canadian visas are experiencing significant delays, with visitor visa approvals now taking an average of 99 days, according to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The backlog is further compounded by the citizenship queue, which currently holds approximately 290,000 pending applications.
Parents and grandparents applying under the Super Visa category face even longer waits, averaging around 169 days. Citizenship processing times have also extended, with an average of 13 months to grant citizenship and an additional nine months for issuance of citizenship certificates.
IRCC officials attribute the delays to high application volumes, extensive background checks, and resource constraints. While temporary visa streams such as study and work permits remain relatively faster—with study permits averaging four weeks and work permits about ten weeks—extensions and in-Canada applications are facing considerably longer waits.
The agency has enhanced its online processing tools to provide real-time updates on application timelines and continues to implement measures aimed at reducing the backlog. Applicants are advised to ensure that all documentation is complete and accurate to avoid further delays.
These developments underscore the need for Indian applicants to plan well in advance when seeking Canadian visas or citizenship, particularly in categories such as family sponsorships and Super Visas, where waiting times can extend to several months or even years.