Increased Processing Times for Work Permit Applications

The Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants in Housing Immigration & Relocation Services (HIRS) have identified a significant increase in processing times for work permit applications made abroad or inside Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updates its estimated processing times on a weekly basis.

Applying for a Work Permit

All visa-required nationals outside Canada must apply for a work permit online and wait for a pre-approval letter with a valid temporary resident visa before they can to travel to Canada. Depending on their country of residence at the time of their online application, they could be subject to lengthy processing times that may delay their arrival in Canada.

For example, as of August 23, 2022, these are some of the estimated processing times posted by IRCC:

• China: 19 weeks
• India 44 weeks
• Brazil: 15 weeks

The estimated processing times should be considered as the minimum amount of time required for an application to be assessed. Realistic expectations should be set when finalizing appointments.

All visa-exempt nationals outside Canada who meet the requirements to apply for a work permit at the port of entry will not be subject to online processing times. However, eligibility factors are not generic and understanding the specific circumstances in advance of arrival is paramount.

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants in HIRS can identify if a port of entry application is permissible, and provide case-specific guidance for the applicant and any of their accompanying dependents. Please contact immigration.help@ubc.ca.

Extending a work permit from inside Canada and maintained status

It is currently taking about 23 weeks for a new work permit to be issued from inside Canada. Maintained Status, the ability to continue working while a new work permit application is in process, requires the applicant to remain inside Canada until the new work permit is issued. This can severely disrupt any travel plans for business or leisure, including trips to the United States and advanced planning is therefore essential.

What do I need to do?

New hires: When hiring a foreign faculty or staff member, departments should prepare for potential work permit assessment delays if an online application is going to be submitted. Start dates should be realistic.

Extended appointments with a work permit that is expiring in the next six months: Departments should start making decisions now and, if applicable, preparing offer letter(s) now. Unless applications have exceeded estimated processing times posted by IRCC, very little can be done by UBC to expedite the process. 

Frequently asked questions

1. What do I do if my new or extended hire may not get their work permit before their start date?
Each case is different and you will need qualified advice. Please contact Immigration.Help@ubc.ca

2. Can visa-exempt nationals still apply online for their work permit if they prefer that option?
Yes, any foreign national can choose to apply online for their work permit. However, if HIRS has provided guidance for an application to be submitted at the port of entry and the individual chooses to apply online, the options available may be limited if they face unexpected delays with their online application.

3. What if a visa-exempt national that is eligible to apply at the port of entry chooses to apply online instead, but due to delays, they are planning to submit a second application at the port of entry?
If the foreign national applied for an LMIA-exempt work permit online, a new LMIA exemption number is needed to submit a second application at the port of entry. All LMIA-exempt offer of employment numbers can only be used once per application. In these cases, the department must pay the $230 employer compliance fee a second time and the foreign national would also need to pay the applicable work permit application fees a second time. If a second application is being considered after an initial online application has already been submitted, qualified advice can be given by the Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants in HIRS: Immigration.Help@ubc.ca.

4. Who should we contact for guidance if we have an application that is complex or urgent?
Please continue to send an email to Immigration.Help@ubc.ca with all immigration-related questions or concerns. All immigration guidance, advice and support should be provided by a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant in HIRS.