September 13th, 2024 at 03:54 am

Canada Visitor & Tourist Visa Processing Time After Biometrics | Canada PR

Do you intend to travel to Canada in 2024? It is essential to comprehend the visa application procedure. Completing Biometrics is a crucial step in guaranteeing a seamless travel experience, and it might affect the total processing time.

We’ll guide you through the most recent details on Canada’s Visitor Visa application procedure for 2024 in this blog, along with what to anticipate after submitting your biometrics and the most recent travel advice.

Introduction

It is essential to stay informed about the most recent processing timelines and modifications if you intend to apply for a Canada Visitor Visa in 2024 or if you are currently awaiting the outcome of your application. Significant delays have been observed in recent updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), affecting not just work permits and student visas but also visiting visas.

You can better prepare and manage your expectations for your trip or stay in Canada by being aware of these changes. We’ll explain the function of biometrics, the current processing timeframes, and what you can do to make sure your application is handled as quickly as possible in this blog.

Current Canada Visitor Visa Processing Times

The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing backlog of applications are just two of the many reasons that have caused the processing periods for visitor visas to Canada to fluctuate significantly over the past few years. After submitting biometrics, visitor visa applications typically take 76 working days to process as of 2024.

When compared to prior years, when the processing period varied from 60 to 75 days, this represents a discernible increase. All candidates, though, won’t go through the same waiting period. The time of year you apply (peak seasons like summer and holidays lead to longer waits), the completeness and accuracy of your application, and the volume of applications the IRCC is processing at that particular moment all affect how long it takes to process your application.

Biometrics: A Critical Step in the Visa Process

Biometrics, fingerprints, and a photo are required for the majority of visa applicants during the application procedure. Biometrics provides an extra degree of security to the immigration procedure by assisting Canadian officials in confirming your identity and background.

You will receive a notification from the IRCC to submit your biometrics at an authorized center after submitting your visa application. Your application moves on to the next round of assessment after the biometrics are submitted. It’s crucial to remember that the official processing period usually begins on the day of the biometric submission.

Put otherwise, the 76 working days allotted for visitor visas start on the day your biometrics are received, not the day your initial application was submitted.

Backlog Impact on Processing Times

The backlog of applications is a major cause of the delays in the processing of visas. A backlog of more than a million applications for different types of visas, such as work permits, study permits, visitor visas, and permanent residency applications, was reported by the IRCC as of November 2022.

This backlog grew by the middle of 2023, and by 2024, little has changed, with the IRCC continuing to try to get through the enormous backlog of unprocessed applications.

Many applicants have had longer wait times as a result of this backlog; some have even had to wait up to six months or longer to hear about their visa status. Although 76 working days are the stated official processing time for tourist visas following biometrics, applicants whose applications have gotten behind schedule may experience longer delays.

Regretfully, a diverse pool of applicants—including workers, students, and tourists—are included in this and are all eagerly awaiting the results.

What should you do if your application is delayed?

There are a few actions you can take if the processing of your application has taken longer than usual.

• Check the status of your application online: The IRCC enables applicants to monitor the progress of their visa applications via the Internet. This might provide you with some peace of mind and keep you updated on the status of your application.
• Speak with IRCC: To find out the status of your application, get in touch with IRCC if you’ve been waiting longer than the typical processing time. When contacting them, make sure you have your application number and any other pertinent information ready.
• Prepare for delays: It’s crucial to schedule your journey far in advance, especially considering the backlog and potential for delays. It’s best to apply as early as possible for a visa if you’re doing so to attend an event or travel during a specified period, such as the summer or Christmas vacations. This guarantees that you will have a greater possibility of getting your visa on schedule, even in the event of delays.

Impact on Tourist and Visitor Visa Applicants

Most of the people impacted by the backlog of visas are tourists or short-term visitors. As of mid-2023, the IRCC data indicates that about 7 million applications for temporary resident permits, including guest visas, were still waiting. One million of these had gone into the backlog, while 1.3 million were within the service standard timeframe.

Due to the backlog, applicants seeking tourist or visitation visas may have to wait many months to hear back, even after providing their biometrics. Many candidates have been irritated by this wait, particularly those who submitted months in advance only to have their trip plans unknown.

Preparing for Your Visa Application in 2024

If you intend to apply for a tourist visa to Canada in 2024, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of being accepted quickly and prevent delays.

• Apply as soon as possible: Considering the backlog, it’s imperative to do so, particularly if you intend to visit during periods of high travel demand, such as the summer or holidays.
• Ascertain correctness: Before submitting your application, make sure everything is accurate and full. One of the primary causes of delays is incomplete applications since the IRCC frequently requests more information or papers, which makes the process take longer.
• Submit Biometrics prompt: Plan your appointment as soon as you get the request for biometrics, then finish this step as fast as you can. The processing of your application will be further delayed if you submit your biometrics late.
• Follow your application: Keep tabs on the progress of your application by frequently visiting the IRCC portal to view updates. This will assist you in determining whether any further paperwork is required or whether there are any problems with your application.

What Happens After Biometrics?

The IRCC will process your application after receiving your biometrics. This includes looking over your supporting documentation, determining your eligibility, and running background checks. If everything checks out, you will either get a request for your passport (if your visa is approved) or a letter of refusal.

The next stages are straightforward if your application is accepted. To get your visa stamped, you must deliver your passport to a specific location for visa applications. You can travel to Canada as soon as you receive your visa.

Conclusion

2024 has witnessed a notable increase in Canada’s visa processing timeframes, mostly as a result of a big backlog of applications for visitor visas. The average processing time after biometrics is 76 working days, however, many people have had longer wait times.

You must apply as soon as possible if you intend to apply for a visiting visa to Canada. Ensure that your application is accurate and submit biometrics soon to prevent sliding into the backlog. You can better navigate the visa application process and fulfill your goal of visiting Canada by keeping up to date with the most recent developments and processing schedules.