Processing times for applications for permanent residence in Canada vary according to the immigration category of the application. For example, in 1997 the average time for applications by immediate family members—spouses, fiancés and children—was 8 months, for skilled workers it was 11 months, and for business cases it was 13 months. The average processing time for all immigrant classes was 11 months.
These times are based on the date that the prospective immigrant provides a completed application form to the overseas mission and do not include the additional time that is required to process a sponsorship request when required (family class and privately sponsored refugees).