Blue Bird Blog

How long will it take to become a permanent resident of Canada in 2024?

Foreign nationals seeking permanent residence (PR) in Canada often look for the fastest pathway to achieving their goal and starting a new life in this country.
On a basic level, Canada has four primary immigration classes: economic immigration, family-class sponsorship, humanitarian/compassionate immigration and immigration for refugees/protected persons.
However, within those four general classifications, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides foreign nationals with more than 100 ways to immigrate to Canada.

No matter which Canadian PR program an individual pursues, all foreign nationals will consider how quickly they can land and settle in Canada through their chosen pathway.

IRCC publishes its service standards for processing applications so that potential applicants can have a better idea of the time it will take.

What are service standards?

Service standards, which vary depending on the type of application submitted by the candidate, denote the amount of time (typically in weeks or months) that IRCC has deemed reasonable to make a final decision on an application.

Note: IRCC says that service standards apply only to applications with complete information and supporting documents and that the department aims to process 80% of applications across all lines of business within service standards.

The following will outline IRCC’s published service standards for the department’s different permanent resident pathways.

Economic-class immigration

*In cases where an asterisk is included next to the service standard, IRCC notes that the listed service standard only refers to the federal government and does not include the province or territory’s processing time.

Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program

IRCC service standard (electronic applications): 180 days

Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class

IRCC service standard (electronic applications): 180 days

Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades Program

IRCC service standard (electronic applications): 180 days*

Provincial Nominee Programs

IRCC service standard (paper applications): 11 months*

IRCC service standard (electronic applications made via Express Entry): 180 days*

Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program

IRCC service standard (paper applications): 11 months*

Family-class sponsorship

As noted by the department, this service standard applies to Family Class Priority applications including those made by/for overseas spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

IRCC service standard (electronic applications): 12 months

Permanent Resident Cards

Permanent Resident cards are used by IRCC to verify a foreign national’s PR status. This card, which includes a picture of the cardholder, is used as both an identification document and a travel document for Canadian permanent residents entering Canada.

IRCC service standard (for a PR’s initial permanent resident card): 60 days from when IRCC confirms that a PR form has been completed at a port of entry or at an IRCC inland office.

IRCC’s performance against service standards in 2022/2023

According to IRCC statistics, the department was more successful in some places than others with respect to how many applications were processed within the outlined service standard in 2022-2023. IRCC clarifies that the performance outlined below covers the fiscal year between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.

Express Entry - Federal Skilled Worker Program: 80% of applications were processed within the service standard.

Express Entry - Canadian Experience Class: 85% of applications were processed within the service standard.

Express Entry - Federal Skilled Trades Program: IRCC received no applications through this program in 2022/2023.

Provincial Nominee Programs: 23% of paper applications were processed within the service standard while 70% of electronic applications were processed within the service standard.

Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program: 48% of applications were processed within the service standard.

Family-class sponsorship: 66% of applications were processed within the service standard.

Initial Permanent Resident Cards: 73% of applications were processed within the service standard.

Source: cicnews.com

Here’s why the number of temporary workers in Quebec has nearly quadrupled in eight years

According to a recent report by a Quebec-based non-profit think tank, the province’s growth in temporary immigrants was primarily driven by two programs: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).
According to this report, published by the Institut du Quebec (IDQ) last month, Quebec’s temporary resident population grew 46% in 2023 and most of this growth was due to an influx of temporary workers. Specifically, Quebec had 167,435 temporary work permit holders last year, almost four times as many as in 2015.

Finding a job in Ontario

Recently the Ontario provincial government chose to make it illegal for employers to require Canadian work experience in their job advertisements, in addition to making it mandatory for all job postings to feature salaries.
Both steps represent victories, not just for the Ontario labour force (who will now be able to see how the potential salary of a job compares to provincial and national averages); but especially for newcomers to Ontario—who are often held back from roles and professions they are qualified for, based on their lack of Canadian experience.
Considering these two changes, CIC News has compiled the following guide for newcomers looking for a job in Ontario.

IRCC announces cap on admissions for international students

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that is implanting a temporary cap on the number of international students who are issued study visas. A release from IRCC shows that for 2024, the cap is "expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35% from 2023."
Further, IRCC is introducing caps for each province and territory. The department says the caps will be weighted by population, and will result in significant decreases in provinces where the international student population has seen the most unsustainable growth.

Top 20 Universities in Canada For 2024 | New List

Canada, with its breathtaking landscapes and diverse cultural heritage, is a sought-after destination not only for its natural beauty but also for its world-class education.
In this extensive investigation, we reveal the top 20 Canadian universities that serve as academic lighthouses, supporting innovation, research, and a varied learning environment.
These institutions represent the pinnacle of scholastic distinction in the Great White North, from the dynamic cities of Toronto and Montreal to the magnificent landscapes of Vancouver and beyond.

Ontario looking to ban employers from requiring Canadian work experience on application forms and in job postings

In a first-of-its-kind move among all Canadian provinces and territories, Ontario has announced its intention to introduce new legislation that would, if passed, ban employers from requiring “Canadian work experience … in job postings or application forms.”
Announced today, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development hopes this new legislation will help more newcomers fill in-demand labour shortages across the province.

Canadian federal court denies work permit based on IELTS score

A citizen of Iran was a home design and renovation manager for seven years. In 2022, she signed an employment contract to work as a Residential Home Builder with a construction company located in Vancouver. The job duties and responsibilities included planning and preparing work schedules, selecting and employing trade subcontractors and managing budgets.