Nigerians planning to travel to Canada for visits, studies, work or family reunification may now face longer waiting periods as Canadian immigration authorities have increased their estimated application processing times.
The updated figures, released on August 19, show longer processing times for several categories of temporary resident applications.
According to the latest estimates, processing time for a visitor visa has increased to 76 days, representing an eight-day increase from the previous estimate.
Study permit applications now take an estimated nine weeks, up from seven weeks, while work permit applications are also estimated to take nine weeks, an increase of two weeks.
Applicants seeking a Super Visa, which allows eligible parents and grandparents to visit their family members in Canada for extended periods, are now facing an estimated processing time of 53 days, 10 days longer than the previous estimate.
The authorities stressed that processing times are estimates and are not guarantees. The actual time required to process an application may vary depending on factors such as the volume of applications received and the availability of immigration officers.
Canada’s immigration authorities regularly update processing-time estimates as application volumes and processing conditions change.
Nigerians planning to apply for Canadian visas and permits are therefore advised to check the latest processing information before submitting their applications and to begin the process well ahead of their intended travel dates.
The longer waiting periods mean prospective travellers may need to allow several additional weeks for their applications to be processed and decisions issued.