Work Permit processing time from Brazil
Posted IRCC average: 10-30 weeks (varies by stream). Times vary by visa office and case complexity — verify on canada.ca.
Always verify on canada.ca's live processing-time tool at check-processing-times. IRCC updates posted figures monthly.
About the Work Permit
Foreign nationals applying for a Canadian work permit (LMIA-based or LMIA-exempt).
Brazil-specific factors that affect timing
- Police certificate (Atestado de Antecedentes Criminais) — Federal Police, online, free.
- Apostille via Hague Convention (Brazil signatory).
- Diploma + transcripts apostilled before WES.
- IELTS in São Paulo, Rio, Brasília; CELPIP in São Paulo.
Police certificate from Brazil: Atestado de Antecedentes Criminais from Polícia Federal — online, free.
VAC locations in Brazil
- São Paulo
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brasília
Embassy / High Commission: Embassy of Canada, SES Avenida das Nações, Quadra 803, Lote 16, Brasília.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current Work Permit processing time from Brazil?
IRCC's posted service standard for Work Permit applications is 10-30 weeks (varies by stream). Times vary by visa office and case complexity. Verify the current figure on canada.ca's processing-time tool before applying.
How does IRCC calculate the Work Permit processing time?
IRCC publishes the 80th percentile of recently completed applications, meaning roughly 20% of cases take longer than the posted figure. Factors include visa office workload, security checks, and document completeness.
What can delay my Work Permit application from Brazil?
Common causes: incomplete documents, security background checks, medical exam follow-ups, biometrics scheduling, and IRCC procedural-fairness letters requesting more information. Brazil-specific factors include availability of police certificates and biometrics enrolment at local VACs.
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