How Long It Takes to Get Passport Request After Biometrics?

You submitted your biometrics weeks ago, refreshed your IRCC Client Application Status page more times than you’d like to admit, and still — nothing. No passport request letter, no update, just the same generic status message staring back at you. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Thousands of applicants for a Temporary Resident Visa, Study Permit, or Work Permit go through exactly this waiting game every single day, and the uncertainty can feel unbearable when your travel plans, school enrollment, or job start date is hanging in the balance.

Here’s the direct answer: after completing your biometrics appointment at a Visa Application Centre like VFS Global or TLS Contact, IRCC typically sends a Passport Request Letter within 3 to 8 weeks. Most applicants receive it somewhere between 4 and 6 weeks, though the actual timeline depends on which Canada Visa Office is processing your file, the country you’re applying from, and whether your application is complete and error-free.

This guide breaks down exactly what to expect — with country-by-country timelines for applicants in India, Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and beyond. You’ll also find the most common reasons IRCC processing times stretch longer than expected, how to check your status through your IRCC secure account or request GCMS notes, and a clear action plan for what to do the moment that passport request letter finally lands in your inbox.

How Long After Biometrics Does IRCC Send a Passport Request? (General Timeline)

The honest answer: there’s no fixed deadline. IRCC doesn’t send a Passport Request Letter on a set schedule after your biometrics appointment. It arrives when an officer has reviewed your file, assessed your application, and decided you’re likely to be approved — but wants your passport before issuing the visa or permit.

That said, patterns do exist.

For most applicants, the Passport Request Letter comes 4 to 16 weeks after completing biometrics. That’s a wide range, and it reflects real variation across visa types, nationalities, and workload at the specific Canada Visa Office handling your case.

What the Timeline Actually Looks Like

Here’s a rough breakdown based on what applicants consistently report:

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — Visitor Visa Passport requests typically arrive 4–10 weeks after biometrics for straightforward cases from countries with lower processing complexity. For applicants from high-volume offices like India or Nigeria, it can stretch to 12–16 weeks or longer.

Study Permit Expect 6–14 weeks post-biometrics on average. Study permit applications involve more document review, so officers take longer before triggering a passport request.

Work Permit Similar to study permits — roughly 6–16 weeks. Employer-specific permits tied to LMIA processing sometimes push this further.

One thing to understand clearly: your biometrics completion date and the passport request date are not directly linked by a fixed countdown timer. The biometrics step just clears one checkpoint. Your full application still sits in the queue for officer review after that.

When Does the Clock Actually Start?

A common mistake is counting from the day of your biometrics appointment at a VAC or VFS Global location. That’s not exactly right.

The clock that matters for IRCC processing times runs from when your complete application was received by IRCC — not from biometrics. Biometrics is one step within that process. Once you provide biometrics (prompted by the Biometrics Instruction Letter), IRCC resumes active processing of your file. That’s when things start moving again.

If your BIL arrived quickly and you booked your appointment fast, you might be back in active queue within 2–3 weeks of your original submission. If it took you a month to get an appointment, that time is effectively added to your wait.

Checking Where You Stand

Don’t just sit and count weeks. Use these two tools actively:

• IRCC Client Application Status (CAS) — Log into your IRCC secure account (MyAccount) and check for status changes. A move from “in progress” to a passport request notification usually shows up here first.
• GCMS Notes — If you’re past the standard processing time with no update, requesting your Global Case Management System notes through an Access to Information (ATIP) request can tell you exactly where your file is sitting and whether an officer has touched it.

If your CAS still shows no change after 16+ weeks post-biometrics, submitting an inquiry through the IRCC Web Form is reasonable. Don’t spam it — one submission, wait 30 days for a response.

Why the Wait Varies So Much

A few specific factors push timelines in either direction:

• Volume at your processing office. The Canada Visa Office in Chandigarh handles enormous volumes for Indian applicants. So does the office managing Nigerian applications. High volume means longer queues, simple as that.
• Your nationality and travel history. Officers review more carefully when background checks take longer.
• Application completeness. If your original submission had gaps, an officer may have flagged it for additional review before getting to the passport request stage.
• Seasonal spikes. September–November and January–February tend to be high-volume periods for study permit applications, which slows the whole pipeline.

The passport request itself isn’t the finish line — it means IRCC is ready to finalize your case. Getting there is the long part. Once you receive it, you’re usually very close to a decision.

Passport Request Timeline by Country — India, Nigeria, Ghana, UK, and More

Processing times after biometrics aren’t the same everywhere. The country you’re applying from affects how fast IRCC reviews your file, how quickly the VAC or VFS Global office communicates updates, and how long it takes for the Passport Request Letter to actually reach you. Here’s what applicants from these specific countries are typically seeing right now.

Timeline for Applicants Applying from India

India runs some of the highest volumes of Canadian visa applications in the world, and that volume shows up in the wait times. Most applicants in India submit biometrics at VFS Global India — locations in cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.

After biometrics, the typical wait for a Passport Request Letter in India ranges from 8 to 20 weeks, though Study Permit and Work Permit applicants have reported waits stretching past 6 months during peak periods. TRV applications tend to move a bit faster, sometimes hitting the 6–10 week mark if the file is clean.

A few things slow down India-based applications specifically:

• High application volumes mean IRCC’s processing queue is consistently backed up for India-origin files
• Police clearance certificates and document verification take longer to process when IRCC requests additional checks
• During Indian exam cycles (January–March and August–October), Study Permit volumes spike hard

Once IRCC makes a decision, VFS Global India will send you an email asking you to submit your passport for stamping. Check your IRCC Client Application Status (CAS) portal regularly — the Passport Request often shows there before the email hits your inbox. Don’t ignore either.

If you haven’t heard anything at the 12-week mark post-biometrics, submit an IRCC Web Form inquiry. Don’t wait until 6 months have passed.

Timeline for Applicants Applying from Nigeria

Nigeria has seen significant processing delays over the past two years. Applicants in Nigeria typically submit biometrics through VFS Global Nigeria, with the main centre in Lagos and another in Abuja.

Realistic wait time after biometrics: 12 to 30 weeks, and some Work Permit applicants have reported even longer. Nigeria-based files often go through additional security screening, which adds time that IRCC doesn’t publicly break down.

A few things worth knowing if you’re applying from Nigeria:

• IRCC processing times listed on their website are averages across all countries — they don’t reflect Nigeria-specific timelines, which run longer
• Background checks and document authentication often take more time for Nigeria-origin applications
• Some applicants have reported their IRCC CAS portal staying on “In Progress” for months with no visible movement, even when the file is actively being reviewed

If your Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) was issued more than 6 months ago and you’ve had no Passport Request, file an IRCC Web Form. Also consider requesting your GCMS notes — these will show you exactly where your file is in processing and whether any specific hold is in place. GCMS requests can be submitted through Access to Information, and they typically take 30 days to arrive.

Timeline for Applicants Applying from Ghana

Ghana applicants submit biometrics at the VAC in Accra, operated by VFS Global. Compared to India and Nigeria, application volumes are lower, but that doesn’t automatically mean faster processing. IRCC still makes the final call, and files from Ghana go to the Canada Visa Office responsible for West Africa.

Post-biometrics wait for a Passport Request in Ghana: 10 to 24 weeks on average. Study Permit applicants tend to fall on the longer end of that range.

A few patterns specific to Ghana-based applications:

• Communication from VAC Accra can sometimes lag behind IRCC’s actual decision — always cross-check your IRCC CAS portal directly rather than waiting purely on VAC correspondence
• Applicants sometimes receive their Passport Request via email from VFS Global Ghana before seeing the update on their IRCC account, so watch both
• Courier passport submission is standard here — once you get the Passport Request Letter, you’ll send your physical passport to VAC Accra following the instructions provided. Double-check passport validity requirements before sending, as IRCC requires your passport to be valid for the full intended stay plus a buffer

If you’re past the 16-week mark with no update after biometrics, submit a web form inquiry to IRCC and keep a copy of your ticket number.

Timeline for Applicants Applying from the UK

The UK is a different situation. Applicants in the UK submit biometrics through VFS Global UK, with centres in London and other major cities. Because the UK-based Canada Visa Office handles a relatively organized workload compared to high-volume South Asian or African offices, processing tends to be faster.

Post-biometrics wait in the UK: 4 to 12 weeks is typical for most Temporary Resident Visa and Study Permit applications. Work Permits can take longer depending on the stream.

Some UK-specific notes:

• TLS Contact handles some biometrics intake in certain regions of the UK — if that’s where you submitted, the process is the same, just a different vendor
• UK applicants generally report more predictable timelines that align closer to IRCC’s published processing times
• Passport submission after receiving the Passport Request is done through VFS Global UK — they offer standard and courier return options, and you’ll book this separately

If you applied from the UK and it’s been more than 8 weeks post-biometrics with no movement on your IRCC CAS portal, it’s reasonable to submit an IRCC Web Form. UK-based applications stalling past that point sometimes indicate a document issue or additional review that isn’t automatically flagged to the applicant.

Step-by-Step Sample Timeline: From Biometrics to Passport Request

This is a realistic walkthrough based on a standard Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) application submitted from India. The exact dates will shift depending on your country and visa office, but the sequence stays the same.

Week 1 — Biometrics Appointment Completed

You receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) from IRCC and book your slot at a VFS Global India centre. You show up, give your fingerprints and photo, and you’re done in under 30 minutes. VFS transmits your biometrics to IRCC, usually within 24–48 hours.

Check your IRCC Client Application Status (CAS) portal the next day. The status often updates to something like “We received your biometrics.” That’s your confirmation.

Weeks 2–4 — Background Checks Running

Nothing visible happens on the outside. IRCC is running security and admissibility checks using the Global Case Management System (GCMS). Your application sits in the queue at the Canada Visa Office. Status may show “In Progress” or not change at all.

Don’t panic. This is normal. No update is not a bad sign.

Week 6–8 — Medical Results (If Required)

If your application required an upfront medical exam, results are typically received by IRCC around this point. Some applicants see a brief status change noting medical results have been received. Others see nothing until the passport request arrives.

Week 8–12 — Passport Request Letter Issued

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. IRCC sends the Passport Request Letter to your email (or through your IRCC MyAccount if you applied online). The letter tells you exactly how many days you have to submit your passport — typically 30 days from the date on the letter.

Read it carefully. It will specify:

• The visa office or VAC where you must submit your passport
• Whether courier passport submission is accepted
• Your passport validity requirements (usually at least 6 months beyond intended stay)

Week 8–12 (Alternate) — Additional Documents Requested

Not every application ends with a passport request. Some applicants get a request for additional documents first — proof of funds, updated travel history, a letter of explanation. Respond through the IRCC Web Form or your secure account within the stated deadline. This can add another 3–6 weeks before the passport request follows.

Week 12–14 — Passport Submitted to VAC

Once you receive the Passport Request Letter, book your VAC appointment or use the courier option if your visa office allows it. VFS Global India, for example, lets you submit by courier in most cities. Drop off or mail your passport with the required documents. Processing at the VAC typically takes 5–10 business days before your passport is returned with the visa stamped inside.

A Quick Visual Summary

What If Your Passport Request Has an Expiry Date That’s Passed?

It happens. Sometimes the letter lands in spam, or you’re traveling when it arrives. If you’ve missed the deadline, don’t submit anyway without contacting IRCC first. Use the IRCC Web Form to explain the situation and request a Passport Request Extension. IRCC does grant these in genuine cases, but you need to ask — they won’t automatically extend it.

If you applied for a Study Permit or Work Permit, the same process applies, just routed through the relevant visa office rather than a generic TRV queue.

Why Is Your Passport Request Taking So Long? Common Causes of Processing Delays

Waiting past the typical window is frustrating, especially when you’ve already done everything right. But there are real, specific reasons IRCC takes longer to send a Passport Request Letter in some cases — and most of them have nothing to do with a mistake on your end.

Here’s what actually causes delays.

Your Application Is Still Under Active Review

Biometrics enrollment doesn’t trigger an instant review. IRCC officers assess applications based on their own queue, and your file moves through multiple stages — initial review, background checks, document verification — before any passport request gets issued.

If your application sits in a country-specific queue with high volume (India and Nigeria are the most common examples), processing can stretch well beyond the posted timelines. IRCC processing times on their official portal are averages. Half of applicants take longer than that number.

Check your IRCC Client Application Status (CAS) regularly. If it still shows “In Progress” or “We are reviewing your application,” the officer hasn’t made a decision yet. That’s normal, even at month three or four.

Background and Security Checks Are Still Running

This is one of the biggest hidden reasons for delays. IRCC runs background checks through Canadian security agencies, and for applicants from certain countries or with certain travel histories, those checks take longer. You won’t be told this explicitly. Your CAS portal will just sit at the same status.

If you’ve lived in multiple countries, had a previous visa refusal anywhere, or have any flag in your travel history, expect this to add weeks — sometimes months.

Ordering your GCMS notes (Global Case Management System notes) through an Access to Information request can sometimes reveal where exactly your file is stuck. It’s not instant — GCMS notes take about 30 days to arrive — but they’re one of the few ways to actually see what’s happening inside your file.

Document Issues IRCC Hasn’t Told You About Yet

Sometimes IRCC has a question about your documents but hasn’t formally contacted you. This can create a silent hold. The officer may be waiting on a response from a third party — an employer, a school, a previous visa office — before they make a decision.

If you submitted documents that were borderline (slightly older financial statements, a job letter missing specific details, incomplete travel history), these can slow things down without generating an official Additional Document Request.

You’re at a High-Volume Visa Office

Where your application is processed matters a lot. Applications from India processed through the New Delhi or Chandigarh offices regularly see longer timelines simply because of the sheer number of files going through VFS Global India. Same with VFS Global Nigeria in Lagos and Abuja.

If you submitted through VAC Accra or TLS Contact in certain countries, your file gets routed to a regional visa office, and that office’s backlog affects your wait. There’s no workaround for this. You’re in the queue.

Your Biometrics Weren’t Linked Immediately

In some cases — particularly when biometrics are taken at a Visa Application Centre that’s slower on data uploading — there’s a gap between when you enrolled your biometrics and when IRCC actually received and linked them to your file.

This is uncommon, but it happens. If your VAC gave you a receipt and your CAS portal doesn’t reflect biometrics as “received” within a week or so, use the IRCC Web Form to report it. Don’t just wait.

Your Passport Request Extension Request Caused a Pause

If you already received a Passport Request Letter and submitted a Passport Request Extension through your IRCC secure account (MyAccount) — because your travel document expires soon or you needed more time — that extension itself can add processing time. The file goes back through an officer for review.

This isn’t widely talked about, but it catches people off guard. If you requested an extension, the clock effectively resets on that stage of processing.

What You Can Actually Do About It

A few practical options:

• IRCC Web Form: Submit an inquiry if you’re past the 90th percentile of posted processing times for your visa type (TRV, Study Permit, Work Permit, etc.). Be specific — include your application number, the date of your biometrics appointment, and the VAC or Canada Visa Office where you applied.
• GCMS notes: Worth requesting if you’re significantly delayed and have no updates at all.
• Check passport validity: IRCC won’t issue a Passport Request if your passport expires too soon. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended entry date — if it’s not, renew it and notify IRCC through the Web Form.
• Don’t re-apply. A common mistake. Re-applying doesn’t reset the queue or speed anything up. It creates a second file and can complicate your original application.

Processing delays are rarely a sign that something is wrong. Most of the time, it’s volume, checks, or the particular visa office handling your file. That doesn’t make the wait easier — but knowing the actual cause helps you avoid the wrong moves.

How Early Should You Book Your Biometrics Appointment?

This question trips up more applicants than almost anything else in the Canada visa process. Book too late, and you’re scrambling. Book too early, and you might not even have your application ready.

The short answer: book your biometrics appointment as soon as you receive your Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) from IRCC. Don’t sit on it.

The BIL Has a 30-Day Deadline — Take It Seriously

Once IRCC sends you the BIL, you have 30 days to complete your biometrics. That clock starts from the date on the letter, not the date you receive it. Postal delays, email delays, it doesn’t matter — the deadline doesn’t move.

At high-volume VAC locations — VFS Global India offices in particular — appointments can fill up fast. Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad — popular slots get booked within days during peak application seasons. If you wait even a week after getting your BIL, you could be looking at limited availability and cutting it dangerously close.

What “Early” Actually Looks Like in Practice

You can’t book a biometrics appointment before you receive the BIL. IRCC won’t process walk-ins or early birds. The appointment needs to be tied to your active instruction letter.

So the realistic timeline looks like this:

• Day 1: BIL received in your IRCC secure account (MyAccount) or by email
• Day 1–2: Check VFS Global or TLS Contact (depending on your country) for available slots
• Day 3–10: Complete your biometrics appointment
• Day 11 onward: IRCC resumes processing your file

That’s the ideal scenario. Aiming for biometrics within the first 10 days of receiving the BIL gives IRCC the maximum amount of time to work through your application before any internal deadlines create pressure.

Country-Specific Booking Realities

In Nigeria, VFS Global Nigeria locations in Lagos and Abuja tend to have tighter appointment windows during Q4 and during major university admission cycles. If you’re applying for a Study Permit from Nigeria, expect more competition for slots around August and September.

In Ghana, VAC Accra handles a smaller volume overall, so booking is generally quicker — but you still shouldn’t delay beyond 48 hours after receiving the BIL.

In the UK, VFS Global UK locations in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh are typically manageable, but holiday periods are notoriously slow.

Don’t Wait for a “Convenient” Date

A lot of applicants make the mistake of waiting for a date that fits their schedule perfectly. That thinking will cost you. Take the earliest available slot that you can physically get to. You can always adjust minor inconveniences — you can’t adjust a missed 30-day biometrics deadline.

If you genuinely can’t complete biometrics within 30 days due to a documented emergency, contact IRCC through the IRCC Web Form immediately and explain the situation. Extensions aren’t guaranteed, but IRCC has granted them in exceptional cases. Don’t assume you’ll get one — act like you won’t.

One More Thing About Timing

Your passport validity matters here too. Before you even book the appointment, check that your passport won’t expire during the processing period. IRCC typically requires your passport to be valid for the expected duration of your stay in Canada, plus a buffer. Submitting biometrics with a passport expiring in four months when you’re applying for a two-year Work Permit will cause problems down the line — usually right when IRCC sends the Passport Request and you realize you need to renew first.

Get the appointment booked fast. Keep your documents in order. That’s the formula.

What to Do After Receiving Your Passport Request Letter

The Passport Request Letter from IRCC tells you exactly what to send, where to send it, and — critically — the deadline for submission. Read it carefully before you do anything else. Missing the deadline or sending to the wrong address can stall your entire application.

You’ll generally have a short window to respond, often 30 days from the date on the letter (not the date you received it). If you need more time, you can request a Passport Request Extension through the IRCC Web Form, but do that before the deadline, not after.

How to Submit Your Passport by Courier

Some applicants can submit passports directly to the IRCC Canada Visa Office by courier, depending on which country they’re applying from and which application stream they’re in. This option is typically available when the Passport Request Letter specifically lists a courier mailing address.

If courier is your option, here’s what you’re packaging up:

• Original passport (plus any expired passports the letter asks for)
• A clear photocopy of the biographical data page
• A prepaid return courier envelope — this matters. IRCC won’t pay to send your passport back.
• Any other documents specified in your letter

Use a tracked courier service. DHL, FedEx, or UPS are standard choices. Keep your tracking number somewhere you won’t lose it.

One thing people get wrong: the return envelope needs to be prepaid and addressed to yourself. IRCC doesn’t provide return postage. If you forget this, your passport sits there. That’s a problem.

After you send it, note the tracking confirmation and watch IRCC Client Application Status (CAS) on your IRCC secure account (MyAccount) for updates. Status doesn’t always update instantly, but any movement within 5–10 business days of delivery is normal.

Submitting Your Passport Through a VAC (Visa Application Centre) or VFS

For most applicants outside Canada — particularly those in India, Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and dozens of other countries — passport submission goes through a Visa Application Centre (VAC) operated by VFS Global or TLS Contact, not directly to IRCC.

Your Passport Request Letter will specify which VAC to use. Don’t go to a different one, even if it’s more convenient.

Booking your appointment

VAC appointments for passport submission need to be booked online. For VFS Global (which handles countries like India via VFS Global India and Nigeria via VFS Global Nigeria), go to the VFS Global website for your country, select the Canada visa category, and book a passport submission appointment. Slots fill up. Book as soon as you get the letter.

What to bring to the VAC

• Original Passport Request Letter (print it out)
• Your original passport and any additional passports listed
• Photocopies as specified — usually the bio page
• A completed checklist if one is attached to your letter
• Payment for VAC service fees, which vary by location

The VAC staff will check your documents, collect biometric data if needed for other purposes, and forward everything to the Canada Visa Office. They don’t make any decisions about your visa. Processing still happens at IRCC.

After you drop it off

You’ll get a receipt or acknowledgment from the VAC. Hold onto it. Passport processing after submission typically takes a few business days to a few weeks depending on the Visa Office load and whether you’re applying for a Temporary Resident Visa, Study Permit, or Work Permit.

Once the visa is stamped and your passport is ready, it comes back to you either through the VAC for pickup or via courier to your address, depending on what you chose when booking. Some VACs in countries like Ghana (VAC Accra) have limited courier return options, so confirm this at booking.

Don’t call or email IRCC asking for status updates immediately after submitting. Check CAS through MyAccount first — that’s the fastest way to see if your passport has been received and if a decision has been made. If weeks have passed with no movement and no communication, an IRCC Web Form inquiry is the appropriate next step.

What to Do If Your Passport Request Letter Has Expired

Passport Request Letters don’t last forever. IRCC typically gives you a deadline — usually between 30 and 90 days — to submit your passport after receiving the letter. Miss that window, and the letter becomes invalid. It happens more than people realize, especially when travel plans change, documents aren’t ready in time, or the VAC appointment slots are fully booked.

If your Passport Request Letter has expired, don’t panic. You’re not starting from scratch. But you do need to act quickly.

How to Request a Passport Request Extension from IRCC

IRCC does grant extensions in some cases. It’s not automatic, and they don’t advertise the process loudly, but it’s a real option.

Your best route is the IRCC Web Form. Go to the IRCC contact page, select the appropriate category for your application type — whether that’s a Temporary Resident Visa, Study Permit, or Work Permit — and explain clearly that your Passport Request Letter has expired before you could submit your passport. Keep the message short and factual. Include your application number, the date your letter was issued, the expiry date, and the reason you couldn’t submit in time.

Valid reasons that tend to get a response:

• Medical emergency (yours or an immediate family member’s)
• VAC or VFS Global appointment unavailability in your area — this is common in countries like India (VFS Global India) and Nigeria (VFS Global Nigeria), where slots book up weeks in advance
• Travel document issues, like a lost passport or delays getting a renewed passport
• Natural disasters or civil disruptions affecting access to the Visa Application Centre

IRCC officers review these on a case-by-case basis. There’s no formal “extension form” — the Web Form is it. Attach any supporting documents if you can. A doctor’s note, a screenshot showing unavailable VAC slots, a courier tracking failure — whatever supports your explanation.

Response times vary. Some applicants hear back within a week. Others wait three to four weeks. If you have a Canada Visa Office assigned to your file, they’re the ones making the call.

While you wait, check your IRCC Client Application Status (CAS) and your IRCC secure account (MyAccount) regularly. Sometimes a new Passport Request Letter is issued directly there without any separate notification by email.

One more thing — if your original passport has also expired since you received the letter, that complicates things. IRCC has passport validity requirements tied to the permit or visa duration, so you may need to renew your passport first before a new request can be issued. Factor that into your timeline when writing to IRCC.

If you’ve waited more than 30 days with no reply to your Web Form submission, send a follow-up. Keep a record of every submission — the confirmation number, the date, and what you wrote. You’ll need that paper trail if you end up requesting GCMS notes to understand where your file stands.

How Long Does It Take to Get Your Passport Back After Stamping?

Once IRCC approves your application and you’ve submitted your passport, the wait isn’t over. You still need your physical passport back — with the visa stamp or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) inside it — before you can travel.

The return timeline varies quite a bit depending on how you submitted your passport and which VAC or visa office processed it.

If You Submitted Through a VAC or VFS Global

This is the most common route for applicants in countries like India, Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK.

After the visa office sends instructions back to the VAC, your passport typically gets returned within 5 to 15 business days. VFS Global India tends to be on the faster end of that range when processing volumes are normal. VFS Global Nigeria and VAC Accra in Ghana can push closer to 10–15 days, especially during peak periods.

Keep in mind — that window starts from when the visa office actually sends the stamped passport back to the VAC, not from when you submitted it. There’s often a lag of several days in transit between the Canada Visa Office and the VAC before the return-to-applicant process even starts.

You’ll generally get an SMS or email from VFS Global when your passport is ready for pickup or has been dispatched via courier. Check the VAC’s tracking portal rather than waiting passively.

If You Used Courier Passport Submission

Some applicants are authorized to submit their passports directly by courier to the visa office — particularly in certain countries or in specific application streams. If that’s your case, return courier times depend entirely on the shipping carrier and the office’s dispatch schedule.

Expect anywhere from 3 to 10 business days after stamping for the passport to arrive back at your address. International courier deliveries can stall at customs, so don’t panic if it takes a day or two longer than the tracking estimate shows.

Pickup vs. Courier at the VAC

If your VAC gives you the option to pick up in person versus having it couriered to you, pickup is almost always faster. You avoid the courier leg entirely. Worth considering if you’re close to the VAC location and your travel date is tight.

One Thing People Miss

The stamping itself at the visa office is usually quick — often just a day or two once your application gets a decision. The bulk of that 5–15 day window is logistics: internal dispatch from the visa office to the VAC, and then the VAC processing the return.

So if your IRCC Client Application Status (CAS) shows a decision was made but your passport hasn’t arrived in three weeks, contact the VAC directly first. Don’t submit an IRCC Web Form yet — the visa office often hands off responsibility to the VAC at that stage, and IRCC won’t always have visibility on the physical passport’s location.

What About Passport Validity?

Before submitting, make sure your passport meets IRCC’s validity requirements — typically at least six months of validity beyond your intended stay. If your passport expires soon, IRCC may issue a shorter visa tied to the expiry date, or in some cases, flag the application for review. Get a passport renewal sorted before submitting if there’s any doubt.

What to Do While You Wait — A Practical Checklist

Waiting is the hardest part. But there’s actually a lot you can do during this period to avoid scrambling when that passport request letter finally lands in your inbox.

Here’s what to focus on, broken down by category.

Keep Your Application Status Monitored

Check your IRCC Client Application Status (CAS) every few days. Log into your IRCC secure account (MyAccount) and look for any status changes — particularly a move from “in progress” to “decision made.” That’s usually the trigger before the passport request arrives by email.

If you applied on paper, use the online tracker with your application number.

Don’t wait passively. Status changes can happen fast, and you want to act on a passport request within days, not weeks.

Get Your Passport Ready Now

Don’t wait for the letter. Pull out your passport today and check three things:

• Validity. IRCC typically requires at least six months of validity beyond your intended stay in Canada. If your passport expires in the next year or two, renew it before submitting.
• Blank pages. You need at least two clean, unstamped pages for visa stamping.
• Name consistency. Your passport name must exactly match your application. Any discrepancy can cause delays or rejection.

If your passport needs renewal, start that process immediately. Passport renewal timelines in countries like Nigeria or Ghana can run 4–8 weeks on their own. Getting caught flat-footed here is completely avoidable.

Locate Your Nearest VAC or VFS Global Office

You won’t have time to research this after receiving your passport request. Do it now.

Find out:

• Which Visa Application Centre (VAC) or VFS Global location serves your area
• Their current operating hours and appointment availability
• Whether they accept walk-ins or require bookings
• Exact document submission requirements (most want originals, not photocopies)

In India, VFS Global India handles passport submissions across multiple cities — Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, and others. In the UK, VFS Global UK handles submissions for most Canada visa categories. Know your specific location before the clock starts ticking.

Prepare Your Supporting Documents

The passport request letter will tell you exactly what to submit. But certain documents are almost always required, so start gathering them now:

• Original passport
• Printed copy of the passport request letter
• Completed consent form (if submitting through a VAC)
• Pre-paid return courier envelope (required at many VACs for passport return)
• Any additional documents IRCC specifically requested

If you used a courier passport submission service through VFS, confirm their current tracking and return timeframes in your country.

Order Your GCMS Notes (Optional but Smart)

If you’ve been waiting significantly longer than the standard IRCC processing times for your visa category — whether that’s a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), Study Permit, or Work Permit — ordering Global Case Management System (GCMS) notes can tell you exactly where your file sits and whether any issues have been flagged.

It costs around CAD $5 via an Access to Information request. It takes 30 days to receive. Worth doing if you’re past the 75th percentile processing time.

Draft an IRCC Web Form Inquiry (But Don’t Send It Yet)

If you hit the point where you’re outside normal processing times and still haven’t heard anything, you’ll want to submit an inquiry through the IRCC Web Form. Don’t fire it off prematurely — IRCC specifically asks that you wait until you’re outside their posted processing times before contacting them.

But draft it now. Have your UCI number, application number, submission date, and biometrics appointment date ready. When the time comes, you won’t waste hours hunting for information.

Don’t Book Non-Refundable Travel

This one matters. Seriously, don’t book flights or accommodation that can’t be cancelled until you have that visa stamp in your hand. A passport request letter is not a visa. Delays happen. Passport request extensions exist for a reason.

Book flexible fares if you need to plan ahead. The cost difference is worth it.

Keep Your Email Accessible

IRCC sends the passport request letter to the email address on your application. Make sure that account is active, checked regularly, and not filtering IRCC emails into spam.

If you’ve changed email addresses since applying, log into your IRCC MyAccount and update your contact information immediately. Missing the email — and letting a passport request expire — is a fixable problem that catches more applicants than you’d expect.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long after biometrics will I get a passport request?

There’s no fixed number, but most applicants receive a Passport Request Letter somewhere between 4 and 16 weeks after completing biometrics. It depends heavily on your country of application, visa type, and current IRCC processing times. India and Nigeria tend to sit at the longer end of that range. The UK and some European VAC locations often move faster.

Does completing biometrics mean my application is approved?

No. Biometrics is a security and identity step. It doesn’t mean IRCC has made a decision. Your application is still being reviewed. The passport request only comes once they’re ready to approve — it’s essentially the final step before they stamp your visa.

I submitted biometrics 6 months ago and still have no passport request. What now?

First, check your IRCC Client Application Status (CAS) through your MyAccount or the IRCC portal. If the status hasn’t updated and you’re well past the posted processing times, submit an IRCC Web Form inquiry. You can also request GCMS notes to see where your file sits internally — it takes a few weeks to get them back, but they’ll show you exactly what’s happening.

Can IRCC request my passport without contacting me through MyAccount?

Yes. The Passport Request Letter can arrive by email, through your IRCC secure account, or in some cases through the VAC or VFS Global portal, depending on how you applied. Always check all three places. People miss passport requests because they only looked in one spot.

What if I can’t submit my passport within the deadline on the letter?

Contact IRCC immediately using the Web Form. Passport Request Extensions are granted in genuine circumstances — travel, illness, passport renewal in progress — but you need to ask before the deadline, not after. Waiting until it expires makes things significantly harder.

Does the type of visa affect how long the passport request takes?

Yes, it does. Study Permit and Work Permit applications often have slightly different processing tracks than a straightforward Temporary Resident Visa. Applications that require background checks, additional document review, or officer escalation take longer regardless of visa type.

My Biometrics Instruction Letter said biometrics were valid for 10 years. Do I need to redo them?

Not necessarily. If your biometrics are still valid and on file with IRCC, you won’t be asked to redo them for a new application within that window. Check your BIL for the expiry date. If you’re unsure, your CAS or MyAccount profile should reflect whether biometrics are on file.

Will IRCC tell me if my application is refused before sending a passport request?

Yes. If IRCC refuses your application, you’ll receive a refusal letter — not a passport request. A passport request only comes when the officer is ready to issue. Silence isn’t necessarily bad news, but a refusal letter is definitive.

Can I travel while waiting for my passport request?

If your application requires you to have submitted your passport to a VAC, you won’t have it back yet. But if you applied using courier passport submission and still hold your passport, technically yes — just make sure any travel doesn’t interfere with the submission deadline once your passport request arrives. Things can move fast once IRCC acts.

Is there a difference in wait times between VFS Global India and VFS Global Nigeria?

Processing time differences largely come from the Canada Visa Office handling each region, not from VFS itself. VFS Global is just the collection and return point. That said, applicants in India and Nigeria consistently report longer overall timelines — often 3 to 6 months post-biometrics — compared to applicants going through VFS Global UK or TLS Contact in France, who sometimes see passport requests in 6 to 10 weeks.

What’s the minimum passport validity I need when submitting for stamping?

Your passport generally needs to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Canada. If your passport is expiring soon, get it renewed before submitting — a nearly expired passport will cause delays or could result in a shorter visa validity than you expected.

Final Thoughts — What Is Your Next Step Right Now?

You’ve read through the timelines, the country breakdowns, the delay causes, and the checklists. Now the only thing that matters is what you actually do next.

So let’s make this simple.

If you haven’t done biometrics yet — book your appointment as soon as IRCC sends your Biometrics Instruction Letter. Don’t sit on it. Every week you delay is a week added to the end of your processing time. VFS Global and TLS Contact appointments fill up fast in high-volume cities, especially in India, Nigeria, and the UK.

If you’ve done biometrics and you’re waiting — log into your IRCC secure account (MyAccount) and check your Client Application Status (CAS) regularly. If it’s been longer than the published IRCC processing times for your specific application type — TRV, Study Permit, Work Permit — and you still haven’t received a Passport Request Letter, submit an inquiry through the IRCC Web Form. Keep it factual. Include your application number, the biometrics completion date, and your VAC or VFS Global location.

If you’ve received your Passport Request Letter — move fast. Check the expiry date on that letter immediately. Then confirm your passport meets the validity requirements IRCC expects. Submit your passport to the correct Visa Application Centre or courier address without delay. This is not the step to procrastinate on.

If your Passport Request Letter has expired — don’t panic, but do contact IRCC through the Web Form right away and request a Passport Request Extension. It happens. IRCC does grant extensions in legitimate cases.

One thing a lot of applicants underestimate is how much smoother this process goes when you stay organized from the beginning. Save every email. Screenshot your CAS updates. Write down the date you completed biometrics. If you ever need to request GCMS notes or escalate a delay, having a clear personal record makes everything faster.

The waiting is genuinely hard. That part doesn’t get easier just because you know the average timelines. But most applications do move forward — the Passport Request Letter does arrive, the visa does get stamped, the travel does happen. Stay on top of your application status, respond quickly when IRCC asks for something, and don’t let any deadline slip past you quietly.

That’s really it. Stay informed, stay organized, act fast when required.