Published
Sundeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2018, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Updated November 12, 2026: IRCC’s processing-time tool checked that day.
The time: IRCC publishes current processing times by country; they change often.
What slows files: biometrics, missing documents, medical exams and background checks.
Why a lawyer: when a file is far overdue, a lawyer can push for a decision and ask the Federal Court to order one. Why a lawyer
Our immigration lawyers
Sundeep S. GrewalBarrister and Solicitor
Prabhpreet Kaur SanghaBarrister and Solicitor
Pardeep S. GrewalBarrister and SolicitorAbout our lawyers
Sundeep S. Grewal founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.
Pardeep S. Grewal is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.
How long a visitor visa takes depends on the country you apply from and how complete your file is. IRCC publishes processing times by country and updates them often, so the most reliable number is on IRCC’s tool on the day you check. Most delays come from biometrics not yet given, missing or unclear documents, medical exams, or additional background checks. A complete file avoids most of them. When an application is well beyond the published time with no explanation, there are steps to take, ending with an application asking the Federal Court to order IRCC to decide.
Lawgical Law Corporation, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, prepares complete visitor visa files and pushes delayed applications to a decision; this guide is by Sundeep S. Grewal.
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What slows a visitor visa down
- Biometrics not given promptly.
- Missing documents, unclear translations, or a thin file.
- A medical exam, where required.
- Additional security or background checks.
If it’s stuck
See a visa stuck in processing for the steps, from a webform to a mandamus application.
Why hire a lawyer for a delayed visa?
One lawyer, one file, every step:
- sending a complete file so it isn’t held up;
- tracking it against the published time;
- a formal demand when it’s overdue;
- a Federal Court application to force a decision.
A lawyer’s demand often moves a file because IRCC knows court is next, and only a lawyer can bring a mandamus application.
Immigration lawyers are members of a provincial law society (in our case, the Law Society of British Columbia), and only a lawyer can take a refusal to the Federal Court. An immigration consultant cannot file or argue it there.
Mistakes I have seen
- Applying twice for the same visit.
- Booking non-refundable flights before the visa is issued.
- Waiting months before asking.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay to speed it up?
No. There’s no paid priority processing for visitor visas.
Is a long wait a bad sign?
Not necessarily; many delayed files are approved.
What should I do right now?
Check IRCC’s current processing time for your country, note your submission date, and keep copies of everything sent.
Book a consultation with our immigration lawyers in Surrey, Abbotsford or Vancouver, or online from anywhere.
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Sources (official)
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.