🇨🇦 Canada Visitor Visa Processing Time: 19 Days (Inside Canada) & Country-Specific Estimates (Latest Update: October 29, 2025)

The processing time for a Canada visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) from India varies significantly. While the official IRCC website provides an estimated average, which is often around 40 to 60 days for outside-Canada applications, it can be shorter or significantly longer depending on various factors. Some applicants report receiving a decision in as little as a few weeks, while others may wait for several months, especially during peak travel seasons or if their case requires additional review.

There is **no guaranteed way or formula** to get a 100% visa approval, as the decision rests solely with the immigration officer based on your individual circumstances. However, you can maximize your chances by:

• **Demonstrating Strong Ties to Your Home Country:** Provide solid proof of your employment, property ownership, family commitments, or other reasons that show you will return to India after your visit.
• **Showing Sufficient Funds:** Clearly document that you have enough money to cover all expenses during your stay in Canada and for your return home (bank statements, salary slips, etc.).
• **Providing a Clear Purpose of Visit:** Submit a detailed, logical travel itinerary and a compelling letter of explanation for your trip.
• **Submitting a Complete and Accurate Application:** Ensure all forms are filled out truthfully and all requested supporting documents are included, correct, and current.

Official, consistently-published success rates for visitor visas specifically from India are not always readily available or up-to-date. Approval rates fluctuate based on factors like the volume of applications, fraud-prevention efforts, and diplomatic relations. Anecdotal evidence suggests that while historically it has been high, recent trends, especially following a general tightening of visa processes, indicate that **officers are conducting stricter scrutiny**. The focus is heavily on ensuring applicants genuinely intend to return home.

A Canada visitor visa is **not generally considered “easy”** to obtain, especially for first-time international travelers or applicants with weak ties to India. The process is straightforward, but the approval criteria are strict. Applicants must successfully convince the visa officer that:

• They are a **genuine visitor** and will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.
• They have **enough money** to support themselves without working.
• They **meet all health and security requirements.**

Any doubt on these points can lead to a refusal.

After your visa application is approved, you will receive a **Passport Request (PPR) letter**. Once you submit your passport to the Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) in India for stamping, the typical processing time for the physical visa sticker (stamping) and return of the passport is generally around **10 to 20 working days**. This timeframe can also fluctuate depending on the VFS backlog and courier service.

Delays in Canada visa processing are common and can occur for several reasons, particularly **after biometrics** are submitted (as processing officially begins then):

• **High Volume/Seasonal Backlogs:** Applications surge during peak travel times (e.g., summer and holidays).
• **Complex Case Review:** Your application may have been flagged for **additional background checks, security screening, or verification** of documents, which involves coordination between multiple government departments.
• **Administrative Backlogs:** Internal issues or temporary resource limitations within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• **Request for Additional Documents:** If the officer requires more information, your application is paused until you provide it.

The status can remain “Processing” for a long time as these checks take place.

Several factors can delay the processing of your visitor visa:

• **Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation:** Missing forms, outdated information, or unclear scans.
• **Volume of Applications:** Applying during peak season.
• **Need for Additional Verification:** If your documents or background require extra checks (e.g., police certificates, travel history).
• **Medical Exam Requirements:** If a medical exam is required, processing stops until the results are received.
• **Misrepresentation/Fraud Concerns:** Any suspicion of false information will lead to a lengthy investigation.

The most frequent reason for a Canada visitor visa rejection is the applicant’s **failure to satisfy the officer that they will leave Canada** at the end of their temporary stay. This is officially cited as “Purpose of visit in Canada is not consistent with a temporary stay.” Common factors leading to this rejection include:

• **Insufficient Ties to Home Country:** Lack of evidence of a stable job, property, or family commitments that necessitate a return.
• **Insufficient Funds:** Not enough proof of financial stability to support the trip.
• **Unclear Travel Purpose:** A vague or unconvincing reason for visiting Canada.
• **Poor/Lack of Travel History:** No previous international travel may raise doubts about an applicant’s intent to adhere to visa rules.

All Visa Application Centres (VACs) operated by **VFS Global in India** follow the **same central process and policies** established by IRCC. Therefore, **no single VFS center is officially faster** than another for processing the visa application itself. The speed of the process is determined by IRCC, not VFS. However, the time it takes for VFS to **return your passport** after the decision may be slightly influenced by the local center’s current volume and courier logistics, but these differences are usually minor and temporary.

After your visa is processed, VFS Global generally takes **3 to 7 working days** to complete the internal passport handling (stamping) and dispatch your passport via courier. The final delivery time depends on your location in India and the courier service’s efficiency.

As of late 2025, the average processing time for a Canada Visitor Visa (TRV) from India is generally **between 40 and 60 days** after biometrics submission, but this is a fluctuating estimate and should be checked on the official IRCC website for the most current data.