Foreign nationals seeking Canadian PR often look for the fastest pathway to achieving their goal & beginning a new life in the country. Here’s how long does it take to become a Canadian PR in 2024.  

On a basic level, Canada has four primary immigration classes: economic immigration, family-class sponsorship, immigration for refugees/ protected persons, & humanitarian/ compassionate immigration. 

However, with those four general classifications, IRCC offers 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 & settle in Canada through the chosen pathway. 

IRCC publishes its service standards for processing applications so that the potential applicants can have a better idea of how long does it take to become a Canadian PR in 2024. 

What Are Service Standards? 

Service standards, which vary depending on the type of application submitted by the applicant, denote the amount of time that IRCC has deemed reasonable to make a final decision on an application. 

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

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 & doesn’t include the province’s/ territory’s processing time. 

  • Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program

IRCC Service Standard: 180 days 

  • Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class

The IRCC Service Standard is: 180 days

  • Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades Program

IRCC Service Standard: 180 days

  • Provincial Nominee Programs

IRCC Service Standard: 11 Months

The IRCC Service Standard is: 180 days 

  • Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program 

IRCC Service Standard: 11 Months 

Family-Class Sponsorship

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

IRCC Service Standard: 12 Months 

Permanent Resident Cards 

PR Cards are used by the 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 & a travel document for Canadian permanent residents entering Canada. 

IRCC service standard: 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  

In order to know how long does it take to become a Canadian PR in 2024, it is vital to note that IRCC 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 mentioned below covers the fiscal year between April 1, 2022 & 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. On the other hand, 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 service standards.