Reasons for the Delay in Receiving a Canada Visa Response

A Professional Analysis by Amin Pardaz International Consultants

Obtaining a Canadian visa — whether it is a study, tourist, work, or dependent visa — is one of the most in-demand immigration processes among Iranians. However, many applicants face a repetitive and stressful question after submitting their documents:
Why is my visa result taking so long?

In this article by Amin Pardaz International, we will discuss the main reasons behind the delay in Canada visa results, the hidden factors influencing the immigration officer’s decision, and the ways to track or prevent such delays.

1. High Volume of Applications at IRCC

One of the most important reasons for delayed responses is the unprecedented increase in the number of applications at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

In recent years, with the growth of study and work migration — especially from countries like Iran, India, and Nigeria — the volume of applications has multiplied beyond the usual processing capacity.

According to IRCC’s official report, by 2025, more than 3 million active applications are waiting in the processing queue.
Under such circumstances, even complete applications may remain in “Under Process” status for several months.

2. Missing or Ambiguous Documents

Any kind of missing information, translation errors, or ambiguity in documents can transfer the file to a secondary review stage.

If the immigration officer encounters any doubt in one of the following items, the review process may be stopped or delayed:

Incomplete translation of marriage certificates or birth certificates
Financial proof that is unverified or lacks genuine account activity
Discrepancies between form data and actual documents
Weak or unrealistic Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Amin Pardaz International Recommendation:
Before submitting your application, carefully match all translations with the forms, and consult with a certified immigration advisor or a professional documentation team to avoid small errors that may cause delays.

3. Security Check

For some countries — including Iran — applications are subject to advanced security checks.

During this stage, the applicant’s information is cross-checked with several international agencies (including CSIS and RCMP).
⏱ This review usually takes between 4 to 12 weeks but may last several months in specific cases.

During this period, the applicant cannot take any particular action other than waiting and following up through the IRCC Webform.

4. Peak Seasons

The Canadian immigration office faces extremely high application volumes during certain months:

May to September for study permits
December to March for tourist and family visas

During these times, the number of applications increases multiple times, and processing naturally slows down.
Immigration officers usually give priority to cases with fixed academic or employment schedules.

5. Additional Review Required by the Officer

Sometimes even a complete application enters the Additional Review stage.
Common reasons include:

The officer doubts the real purpose of the trip or study
Large discrepancies between declared income and bank balance
Need to contact the university, employer, or inviting organization
Verification of financial or property documents

In such cases, the file remains on hold until the officer receives the required response or confirmation.
This pause often appears under “Eligibility Review” or “Background Check” status.

6. Biometric Appointment and Regional Officer Scheduling

For specific countries (including Iran), biometric data collection is done in a third country such as Turkey, the UAE, or Armenia.
If these centers experience high traffic or limited appointment slots, the entire file will face delays.

In addition, some Visa Application Centers (VAC) send files to specific regional offices such as those in Poland or London, each having different processing times.

7. Changes in Immigration Policies or IRCC System Updates

Sometimes, delays occur due to digital system updates or new immigration policies.

For example, in 2024, the GCKey and IRCC Portal systems experienced several weeks of disruption, which caused the processing of thousands of applications to pause.
In such situations, there is no individual solution other than waiting for the system to return to normal function.

8. Submitting Multiple Visa Applications Simultaneously

Some applicants apply for several visa types at once — for example, a study visa, dependent visa, and visitor visa simultaneously.
This practice causes files to enter multiple parallel processing paths, forcing officers to cross-check information for inconsistencies.

It is best to apply in a logical order — for instance: first, the Study Permit, then the Open Work Permit or Visitor Visa for dependents.

9. Uploading Errors or Incomplete Files

In the online IRCC system, if files are incomplete or uploaded in an incorrect format (e.g., corrupted or oversized PDFs), the officer might not be able to open them.

In such cases, the application may automatically change to “Incomplete Application” status or be moved to the secondary review queue.

Amin Pardaz International Technical Team Recommendation:
Upload all files in standard PDF format, under 4 MB, with short English filenames.

10. Delays in Responding to Additional Document Requests (ADR)

Sometimes the officer requests extra documents (Additional Document Request).
If the applicant responds late or uploads the wrong file, the case moves to the end of the processing queue.

Therefore, make sure to check your email and GCKey account daily.

What to Do If Your Canada Visa Response Is Delayed?

The experts at Amin Pardaz International recommend:

Check your application status through GCKey or IRCC Portal.
Submit a Webform if the standard processing time has passed.
Request GCMS Notes to see the officer’s comments and the current stage of your file.
Consult a licensed immigration lawyer or RCIC if the delay exceeds 6 months.
Do not submit duplicate applications, as it confuses the system and causes further delays.

Conclusion

A delayed Canadian visa response does not necessarily mean rejection.
In many cases, applications simply need more time due to high workload, security screening, or minor document issues.
If your documentation is complete and you follow up logically, the chances of a positive result remain high.

Amin Pardaz International, with extensive experience in preparing, reviewing, and tracking study, visitor, and dependent visa cases, is ready to handle every stage of your immigration and visa process with accuracy and confidence.

Amin Pardaz International
The oldest institution approved by the Ministry of Science of Iran

Services:

Admission for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs
PhD scholarship applications
Study visas for Canada and the U.S.
Tourist visas for Canada and the U.S.
Urgent U.S. embassy appointments for study and tourist visas
Resume, Statement of Purpose, Study Plan, and Travel Plan writing
Registration for English exams (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, GRE, GMAT, etc.)
Credit card payments (university tuition, online payments) — fast and with minimal fees
Visa pickup services

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Monday to Friday, 17:30 to 01:00 Iran time
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001-647-8866347
001-647-8869641
001-647-8869642

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