For applicants whose permanent residence (PR) file has been pending for an unusually long time (in this case, since February 2022):
- Long waits do happen — one applicant's file from February 2020 wasn't approved until April 2023, so a multi-year wait, while frustrating, isn't necessarily a sign something is wrong.
- Watch for a 'final decision' status in your online account. This status is generally shown once all background checks and eligibility reviews have been completed, meaning a decision is imminent.
- If your file seems stuck with no status change for a long period, call IRCC directly to ask for an update rather than only relying on the online tracker, which doesn't always reflect what's happening behind the scenes.
Processing times vary widely by office and case complexity, so use these as general expectations rather than a fixed timeline.