IMAP delays?

Hello everyone,

I have developped a php script that gets new emails from my Zoho mailbox via imap.

My problem: there is a 20-25 seconds difference between the time I can see a new email in my mailbox (in the web email client) and the time my php script can get it via Imap. For example when I send an email to my Zoho email address I can see it straight away in the web email client but my php script will be able to get it only 20-25 seconds after I see it in the mailbox (I've run tests with another mailbox provider and my php script can get it at the time as I see it).

Is this normal or can this delay be reduced?

Many thanks in advance.

M