What to do when your immigration application is taking longer than expected

One of the questions I hear most often after an application has been submitted is:

“How long is this going to take?”

And very often, that question is followed by:

“Should I contact IRCC?”

The first thing I recommend is checking the official IRCC processing times.

The processing time shown on Canada.ca is an estimate, not a guarantee. It can change depending on the type of application, IRCC’s inventory and the circumstances of the application.

Start with the official IRCC processing times

IRCC has an online processing times tool where you can select your application type and check the current estimated processing time.

This should be your first point of reference if you’re wondering whether your application is taking longer than expected.

But keep in mind that the processing time is an estimate. It doesn’t mean that every application submitted on the same date will receive a decision on the same date.

Two applications submitted around the same time can still take different amounts of time to process.

Why can an application take longer?

There are many reasons.

An application may require additional review, additional documents or further verification. Some applications are more complex than others, and processing can also depend on the information provided in the application.

Another thing applicants sometimes overlook is the importance of keeping IRCC informed when something changes in their situation.

For example, if your address, employment, marital status, family composition or another relevant detail changes while your application is being processed, you may need to update IRCC.

Your application should reflect your current situation.

Submitting an application does not necessarily mean that you can forget about it until a decision is made. You still have responsibilities while IRCC is processing your file.

Should you contact IRCC just because you haven’t heard anything?

Not necessarily.

If your application is still within the normal processing time and you haven’t received a request for additional information, there may simply be nothing you need to do at that moment.

I know it can be frustrating, especially when you see people online saying that they received a decision much faster than you did.

But comparing your timeline to someone else’s usually doesn’t tell you much about your own application.

Before contacting IRCC, check your application status, review the current processing time and make sure your information is up to date.

When should you contact IRCC?

There are situations where contacting IRCC may be appropriate.

For example, if your application has gone beyond the normal processing time, you may be able to contact IRCC through the web form.

The web form can also be used in certain situations to provide updated information or documents related to your application.

However, contacting IRCC repeatedly simply because you haven’t received an update will not make your application move faster.

The goal should be to contact IRCC when there is a genuine reason to do so.

Don’t forget to report changes to your application

This deserves special attention because it can easily be overlooked.

If something important changes after you submit your application, don’t assume that you can simply wait until IRCC contacts you.

A change in your marital status, family composition, address, employment or another important part of your situation may need to be communicated to IRCC.

The exact steps will depend on your application and the nature of the change. If you’re unsure, check the appropriate IRCC process rather than assuming that no action is required.

Don’t compare your application to someone else’s

This is probably one of the hardest things for applicants to do.

Someone in a Facebook group may say, “I applied two months after you and already received my approval.”

It’s completely normal to wonder why your application hasn’t moved.

But immigration applications aren’t necessarily processed at exactly the same speed.

Your friend’s timeline is not necessarily a prediction of yours.

Instead, focus on your own application, the current IRCC processing time and whether there are any actions you need to take.

The bottom line

Waiting for an immigration decision can be stressful, but waiting doesn’t mean you should ignore your application.

Keep track of the processing time, monitor your messages, make sure your information remains accurate and declare relevant changes to IRCC when necessary.

Before contacting IRCC, make sure you understand why you’re contacting them and whether your situation actually requires action.

When in doubt, start with the official information on Canada.ca.

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