How Many Days After Biometrics to Get a Canadian Visa?

So, you’ve finally completed your biometrics for your Canadian visa application—what happens next? This is the critical moment where most applicants sit on edge, constantly refreshing their email inboxes, waiting for that next update. The suspense can be overwhelming. But let's break down the timeline.

The truth is, there isn’t a definitive answer. The time it takes to receive your visa after completing biometrics depends on several factors: the type of visa you applied for, the location of the visa processing office, and whether additional information is requested from you during the process.

But here’s the interesting part—there are some trends you can bank on. In most cases, after biometrics are submitted, applicants can expect to receive their visa decision within 8 weeks. That’s 56 long days. But this is not the full picture. For some applicants, especially those who applied under express entry or are in a program that prioritizes fast processing, visas can be granted in as little as 10-15 days after biometrics submission. Can you imagine that? Just two weeks of waiting!

Yet, there are cases where it can take significantly longer—sometimes up to several months. This is particularly true for applicants in countries with high application volumes or in cases where security checks are more stringent. One applicant reported waiting nearly 6 months after submitting biometrics, despite having a clean record.

Why the variance?
Processing centers in different countries operate at different speeds, and some are more backlogged than others. For instance, applications from India or China can sometimes take longer due to the sheer volume of applicants. However, the Canadian government is actively working to streamline these processes and reduce delays, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruptions.

To get a sense of your own timeline, here’s what you can do:

1. Check your application status online. Once you’ve submitted your biometrics, keep an eye on the official Government of Canada immigration and citizenship website to see the current processing times for your specific visa and country of application.
2. Understand what’s happening behind the scenes. After submitting your biometrics, they are forwarded to the appropriate authorities, who will then complete background and security checks. This process alone can take weeks, depending on your personal history and the type of visa being processed.

So, what’s the fastest route? If you’re lucky enough to be part of Canada’s express entry system, your processing times are much faster than standard visa applications. In some cases, as mentioned earlier, you could have your visa in hand within a month of submitting biometrics.
But if you’re not in that category, there are ways to ensure your application doesn’t get stuck in bureaucratic limbo. Submit all required documents promptly, respond to any inquiries immediately, and avoid common mistakes such as incomplete forms or missing documents, which can delay the process even further.

What if you don’t hear back in 8 weeks? At that point, it might be wise to follow up with the visa office, as occasionally applications are put on hold for verification or additional document requests that don’t always reach the applicant right away.

A peek into the future of visa processing
The Canadian government has been experimenting with AI-driven processing for certain visa applications. If fully implemented, this could drastically reduce processing times, potentially making waiting weeks after biometrics a thing of the past. Imagine submitting biometrics in the morning and receiving a visa decision within 24 hours. It sounds futuristic, but it’s closer to reality than we might think.

Here’s a hypothetical example:

• Applicant A submitted biometrics for their student visa on September 1st and received approval by September 10th.
• Applicant B, on the other hand, who applied for a work permit and was subject to a higher level of scrutiny due to their profession, submitted biometrics on September 1st but didn’t hear back until December.

You never really know until you’re in it. But as a general rule of thumb, prepare for 8 weeks of waiting, hope for 4, and be ready for 12 if things don’t go perfectly smoothly. Ultimately, your best bet is to maintain patience and stay vigilant. The immigration process is thorough for a reason—Canada aims to ensure that every applicant meets their high standards.

And remember, the process might be nerve-wracking, but the reward is well worth the wait. Canada offers some of the most incredible opportunities for work, study, and life in general. Just imagine—once that visa is in your hand, all the waiting will fade away, replaced by the excitement of your new journey.

Tips to manage the wait time:

• Stay connected with other applicants. There are forums and online communities where people share their experiences, which can help you gauge your own timeline and manage expectations.
• Keep an eye on the news. Sometimes processing times can change due to external factors, like political changes or world events.
• Stay organized. Double-check all your submitted documents and ensure nothing else is requested.

In the end, the wait time after biometrics is out of your control, but you can control how prepared you are during the process. Whether it takes 10 days or 90, remember that each day brings you closer to your Canadian adventure.