In its first monthly service-standard update of the year, IRCC reported notable improvements across several categories. Processing times for Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) files dropped by four months, while Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applications now average seven months, down from nine in December. Parent-and-Grandparent Super Visa decisions sped up for most regions, with Pakistan seeing the biggest gain—cut from 198 days to 133. (cicnews.com)
The faster turnarounds follow a year-end hiring spree that added 1,250 case officers and expanded automated triage tools inside the Global Case Management System. Officials say the department is on track to meet its goal of processing 80 percent of all applications within published service standards by Q3. (cicnews.com)
![IRCC January Update: Processing Times Fall for CEC, AIP and Super Visa Streams]()
For applicants who want to make the most of these shorter windows, VisaHQ can help. The company’s dedicated Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides step-by-step guidance, document validation, and live support for everything from Atlantic Immigration Program submissions to Parent-and-Grandparent Super Visas, helping applicants avoid mistakes and keep timelines on track.
For employers, the shorter CEC timeline means foreign workers who already have Canadian experience can transition to permanent residence sooner, reducing reliance on serial work-permit extensions. Families benefit as well: quicker Super Visa approvals allow parents and grandparents to join relatives for up to five years at a time without occupying scarce PR spots.
Advisers caution, however, that gains are uneven. Non-Express-Entry Provincial Nominee Program files and in-Canada dependent-child sponsorships saw wait times rise by three months, underscoring the need for case-specific strategy.
The faster turnarounds follow a year-end hiring spree that added 1,250 case officers and expanded automated triage tools inside the Global Case Management System. Officials say the department is on track to meet its goal of processing 80 percent of all applications within published service standards by Q3. (cicnews.com)
For applicants who want to make the most of these shorter windows, VisaHQ can help. The company’s dedicated Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides step-by-step guidance, document validation, and live support for everything from Atlantic Immigration Program submissions to Parent-and-Grandparent Super Visas, helping applicants avoid mistakes and keep timelines on track.
For employers, the shorter CEC timeline means foreign workers who already have Canadian experience can transition to permanent residence sooner, reducing reliance on serial work-permit extensions. Families benefit as well: quicker Super Visa approvals allow parents and grandparents to join relatives for up to five years at a time without occupying scarce PR spots.
Advisers caution, however, that gains are uneven. Non-Express-Entry Provincial Nominee Program files and in-Canada dependent-child sponsorships saw wait times rise by three months, underscoring the need for case-specific strategy.
