How long will the Permanent Residence application process take?

The PR process requires extensive documentation. If you have lived in numerous locations for more than six months after the age of 18, it may take you considerable time to assemble the documents, as you will need criminal record checks from each location.   

Materials documenting your work experience must be made available in professional English or French translation. For information on translation services, please contact the Faculty Recruitment and Support office.

Check CIC's Application  processing times under "Processed in Canada" for current processing times.

Medical exams will be requested by the visa office once processing of your application has started. They generally add about 3 months to the application process, depending on work loads, and can take longer if tests must be repeated.

Criminal record checks also add to the length of time it takes to process your PR application. Some countries (China, U.S., South Africa) take significantly longer than others to process requests for police checks. If you need local information about fingerprinting, please contact the Faculty Recruitment and Support program.