How long it takes to process applications will vary based on which visa office ends up processing your application.

You may be able to avoid delays by:

• telling the visa office about any changes to your personal information, such as your address, telephone number or email, or the birth of a child, and
• not contacting the visa office more than once about the same issue
• providing newly requested information as quickly as possible
• Your application will be delayed if:
  • There are criminal or security problems, or we need to do more background checks,
  • your family situation is not clear–reasons could include a divorce or adoption that is not yet complete or child custody issues that have not been resolved, or
  • the visa office has to contact other CIC offices in Canada or abroad to verify the data you gave.

Medical exams

You must have a medical exam before you can become a permanent resident. Your family members must also have one, even if they are not coming with you.

CIC will not accept your application if your health:

• is a danger to Canada’s public health or safety, or
• would cause too much demand for health or social services in Canada.

CIC will send you a letter to tell you how to get the medical exam after we send your application to the visa office.

Police certificates

If you have a criminal record, you may not be allowed to enter or stay in Canada due to this inadmissibility. People who pose a risk to Canada’s security are also not allowed to come to Canada.

To immigrate to Canada, you and any family members 18 years of age and older must provide police certificates to the visa office if you are asked to.

You will need to request these police certificates from police authorities where you have resided for longer than six months since the age of 18. Each police authority has its own policy for providing this information; you will need to follow their instructions in order to obtain the certificate.

Decision on your application

The Immigration officer will make a decision on your application based on the following:

• whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the program,
• whether you have the funds to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada,
• the results of your medical exam, and
• the information on your police certificate.

The office that processes your application will contact you if you need to send more documents or go to an interview.

If your application is approved, they will ask you to send your passport to the visa office in so your permanent resident visa can be issued.