How Long Does IRCC Take to Return Passport After Stamping?
Updated: Sep 28
How long does IRCC take to return passport after stamping? Most applicants receive their
passport back within 2 to 4 weeks of submission, though timing varies by office workload and
season. IRCC does not publish a standalone turnaround time for this step, but it is part of the
overall visa processing timeline.
Here is exactly what happens, how to track your passport, and what to do if the wait runs longer
than expected.
How long after visa approval does IRCC send the passport request letter?
Once IRCC approves your visitor visa application, the passport request letter typically appears in your IRCC secure account within 1 to 5 business days. Some applicants see it within hours of their approval letter; others wait a few days. There is no separate notification outside your secure account. Log in and check your messages regularly after your approval. Once the passport request letter is there, the clock starts on your submission.
What is the IRCC passport stamping process?
When you apply for a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) online and IRCC approves your
application, you do not automatically receive a physical visa. Instead, IRCC sends a passport
request letter to your IRCC secure account, along with your approval letter.
This is where most applicants get anxious: the approval is real, but you cannot travel to Canada
yet. You must first submit your physical passport to IRCC so they can affix the visa sticker (the
stamp) before they return it to you.
The process works like this:
Receive your passport request letter in your IRCC account
Read the letter carefully: it will tell you exactly which IRCC office to send your passport to and
what documents to include
Mail your passport using a tracked, reliable courier service (keep the tracking number)
IRCC receives your passport, stamps the visa, and returns it to you by mail IRCC typically uses Canada Post Xpresspost to return passports, and in most cases you will receive a prepaid return envelope with your instructions.
How long does IRCC take to return passport after stamping?
Once IRCC receives your passport, the stamping and return process itself is generally quick. Most
passports are processed and sent back within 2 to 10 business days of receipt at the IRCC
processing centre.
However, the total time from when you mail your passport to when you hold it in your hands is
typically 2 to 4 weeks, factoring in:
Transit time to IRCC
Processing and stamping at the IRCC centre
Return shipping to you
During busy periods such as summer and holiday seasons, processing centres handle higher
volumes and delays of 4 to 6 weeks are possible. IRCC does not post a dedicated service
standard for the passport stamping step specifically; it is built into the overall visitor visa
processing time.
Step | Typical Time |
Approval → Passport request letter in your account | 1–5 business days |
You mail passport → IRCC receives it | 2–5 business days (depends on courier) |
IRCC stamps and ships back | 2–10 business days |
Total: approval to passport back in hand | 2–4 weeks |
During busy season (summer/holidays) | Up to 4–6 weeks |
How to track your passport after submitting to IRCC
IRCC does not provide a dedicated passport tracking portal, but you can monitor progress in a few
ways.
Your IRCC account: After you submit your passport, your application status in your IRCC secure
account may update. Once IRCC has processed and returned your passport, you will typically see
a status change indicating a decision has been dispatched.
Courier tracking: If IRCC sends your passport back via Canada Post Xpresspost, you will receive
a tracking number (either included in a notification or on the prepaid envelope). Use this to monitor
delivery.
Contact IRCC: If you have not received your passport within 30 days of confirmed delivery to
IRCC, contact the IRCC Client Support Centre through your IRCC account or by phone. Have your
application number ready. For the fastest way to reach them, see our guide on how to contact
IRCC.
If you have urgent travel booked and your passport is still with IRCC, contact IRCC immediately with proof of your travel dates; they can escalate processing for genuine emergencies. If your timeline is tight and you want a professional read on your options first, book an $80, 30-minute consultation with Ansari Immigration.
What to do if your passport is delayed beyond 30 days
If 30 days have passed since IRCC confirmed receipt of your passport and you have heard
nothing, take these steps:
Confirm delivery using your courier tracking number
Log into your IRCC secure account and check for any messages or status updates
Use the webform in your IRCC account to submit an inquiry; this creates a record and
typically gets a response within 1 to 2 business days
If the matter is urgent, call the IRCC Client Support Centre directly
Do not send a second passport or attempt to apply again while your passport is with IRCC.
How this connects to your broader immigration application
The passport stamping step applies primarily to visitor visa applicants. If you are applying for a
work permit or study permit, the process is similar: after approval, you may receive a port of entry
letter of introduction (for work and study permits) rather than a physical stamp, depending on how
you applied.
For permanent residence applications, a different process applies entirely. PR applicants receive a
Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document and a PR visa, and the stamp happens
at the border when you land, not at an IRCC processing centre. If you are working toward
permanent residence through Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program, the passport
handling steps are different from the visitor visa process.
For help understanding exactly what to expect at each stage of your application, speaking with a
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant removes the guesswork.
Frequently asked questions about how long IRCC takes to return passport after stamping
How long does IRCC take to return passport after stamping?
Most applicants receive their passport within 2 to 4 weeks of submitting it to IRCC. The stamping itself typically takes 2 to 10 business days after IRCC receives the passport, with shipping time on
Does IRCC send the passport back by mail?
Yes, IRCC returns the passport by mail or courier, but the return shipping is paid by you: the request instructions usually ask you to include a prepaid, trackable return envelope or airway bill, or you pay the visa application centre's courier fee if you submit through a VAC.
Can I travel without waiting for the physical stamp?
No. Your visa approval alone does not allow you to travel to Canada. You must have the physical visa sticker in your passport before you board a flight to Canada.
What if I need my passport urgently while it is with IRCC?
Contact IRCC immediately through your secure account webform or by phone and provide proof of your urgent travel dates. IRCC can expedite processing for genuine emergencies. Do not wait; contact them as soon as you know there is a conflict.
Does IRCC charge to return my passport?
IRCC does not charge a separate fee, but it does not pay for return shipping either: you cover it yourself, usually with a prepaid, trackable return envelope or airway bill included with your passport, or through the visa application centre's courier fee.
Does this process apply to work and study permits too?
Partially. Work and study permit holders may receive a port of entry letter instead of a physical visa sticker. Whether you need to submit your passport depends on how you applied and your country of citizenship. Always read your specific approval documents carefully.
Three signs your passport timeline needs a professional look: your passport has been with IRCC well past the typical return window, you received a second request to submit it, or you have confirmed travel inside the next month. Any one of these is what Ansari Immigration's licensed RCIC untangles in an $80, 30-minute consultation. With 6,000+ cases since 2019, a stalled passport return is not new territory. How long did IRCC take to return yours? Drop your timeline in the comments, real numbers help everyone waiting. If yours is stuck, book a consultation with Ansari Immigration.
This article is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Program criteria, requirements, processing times, and selection approaches can change without notice. Always confirm details on official government websites or consult a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) for advice specific to your situation.
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