What to Do When Your Immigration Application Is Delayed for Months or Even Years

Immigrating to Canada is a life-changing process, but for many applicants, it’s also a long waiting game. While Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes estimated processing times, many applicants find their cases delayed for months or even years. These delays can create uncertainty, financial strain, and family hardship.

If your immigration application feels stuck, you’re not alone, and there are steps you can take to manage the situation. This blog post will guide you through why delays happen, what you can do while waiting, and when it’s time to seek professional help.

Why Immigration Applications Get Delayed

Several factors contribute to prolonged processing:

High demand and backlogs: Canada receives hundreds of thousands of applications each year across different categories, from study and work permits to permanent residence and citizenship.

Incomplete applications: Missing forms, expired documents, or incorrect information often force IRCC officers to pause a file until clarification is provided.

Security and background checks: If you have lived in multiple countries, or if your file requires in-depth screening, this can add months.

Medical examinations: Additional testing or review by IRCC medical officers can extend timelines.

Global disruptions: The COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and even public service strikes have slowed down IRCC operations in recent years.

The Impact of Long Delays

Delays can affect your life in significant ways:

• Career plans: Workers may lose job offers while waiting for permits or PR approvals.
• Education: Students risk missing enrollment deadlines or being forced to defer studies.
• Family separation: Spouses and children remain abroad while applications drag on.
• Financial hardship: Extending visitor status, delaying employment, or covering additional legal and application fees adds up.

Steps You Can Take While Waiting

Although you cannot control IRCC’s internal processing, you can take proactive measures to manage long waits.

1. Check Processing Times Regularly

IRCC’s official processing time tool provides average wait times. If your application is far beyond these estimates, you may have grounds to make inquiries.

2. Use the IRCC Webform

The webform allows you to:

Request updates on your application’s status.

Submit additional documents or corrections.

Notify IRCC of changes in address, family situation, or employment.

3. Order Your GCMS Notes

The Global Case Management System (GCMS) notes are the officer’s internal records on your file. These notes reveal where your application is in the process, what steps are pending, and whether there are concerns delaying approval.

4. Maintain Your Legal Status

If you’re in Canada, ensure you don’t overstay your visa. Apply to extend your temporary status before it expires, and keep proof of implied status while a renewal is pending.

5. Be Prepared for Requests

Sometimes, IRCC requests updated police certificates, medicals, or other documents. Having these ready in advance can help you respond quickly and avoid further delays.

When to Seek Professional Help

While many applicants can manage basic follow-ups on their own, some situations call for professional intervention.

• Excessive delays without explanation: If your file has been in process for far longer than the published average, a lawyer can make formal inquiries and escalate the matter.
• Complex cases: Previous refusals, criminal history, or complicated travel records often trigger prolonged background checks. Legal guidance can help clarify your case to IRCC.
• Mandamus applications: In extreme cases where delays stretch into years, an immigration lawyer can file an application in Federal Court to compel IRCC to issue a decision.
• Humanitarian concerns: If family separation is causing severe hardship, or if urgent medical/financial issues are at stake, a lawyer can advocate for priority processing.

Coping Strategies During the Wait

The waiting period can be emotionally draining. Here are practical ways to cope:

Stay informed, not obsessed: Check updates regularly, but avoid daily monitoring—it can add unnecessary stress.

Connect with others: Support groups and online forums can provide community and practical tips.

Plan financially: Budget for possible extensions, delays in employment, or deferrals in education.

Focus on readiness: Use the time to prepare for life in Canada—improve language skills, gather job search resources, or organize settlement plans.

Conclusion

Waiting months or years for an immigration decision is challenging, but it doesn’t mean you’re powerless. By tracking your application, keeping your status valid, and requesting internal notes, you can stay proactive. If delays become extreme or your case is complex, an immigration lawyer, such as those at Kurzfeld Law Firm, can step in to advocate on your behalf or even pursue legal remedies.

Your immigration journey may take longer than expected, but with the right approach and professional support when needed, you can ensure your application moves forward toward approval.