FACTORS CAN SLOW DOWN PROCESSING

[mr.peace]

Here is a list of common factors that can slow the processing of your application.
•Incomplete or unsigned application forms
•Incorrect, incomplete address or failure to notify CPC-M of a change of address
•Missing documents
•Unclear photocopies of documents
•Documents not accompanied by a certified English or French translation
•Investigation of sponsors by CIC
•Verification of information and documents provided (e.g., there may be lengthy procedures for background checks in the countries where the applicant or his or her family members have lived or need for a second interview for additional background screening)
•A medical condition that may require additional tests or consultations
•A criminal or security problem (e.g., failure to declare family members or criminal charges pending)
•Family situations such as impending divorce, custody or maintenance issues
•Completion of legal adoption
•Consultation is required with other offices in Canada and abroad
•Inquiring about the status of your application before the standard processing time has elapsed
Sponsorship I - Spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children 31
•The applicant is not a permanent resident of the country in which he/she currently lives
•The applicant or his or her family members require an interview and lives in an area not regularly visited by immigration officials
•Photos provided by the principal applicant and his or her family members do not comply with specifications set out in Appendix C accompanying The Immigrant's Guide

[mr.peace]

Here is a list of common factors that can slow the processing of your application.
•Incomplete or unsigned application forms
•Incorrect, incomplete address or failure to notify CPC-M of a change of address
•Missing documents
•Unclear photocopies of documents
•Documents not accompanied by a certified English or French translation
•Investigation of sponsors by CIC
•Verification of information and documents provided (e.g., there may be lengthy procedures for background checks in the countries where the applicant or his or her family members have lived or need for a second interview for additional background screening)
•A medical condition that may require additional tests or consultations
•A criminal or security problem (e.g., failure to declare family members or criminal charges pending)
•Family situations such as impending divorce, custody or maintenance issues
•Completion of legal adoption
•Consultation is required with other offices in Canada and abroad
•Inquiring about the status of your application before the standard processing time has elapsed
Sponsorship I - Spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children 31
•The applicant is not a permanent resident of the country in which he/she currently lives
•The applicant or his or her family members require an interview and lives in an area not regularly visited by immigration officials
•Photos provided by the principal applicant and his or her family members do not comply with specifications set out in Appendix C accompanying The Immigrant's Guide

oUCH!! That's me!  I am currently living in Thailand but I am a Filipino.  Why it has to be like that?

[scylla]

Here is a list of common factors that can slow the processing of your application.
•Incomplete or unsigned application forms
•Incorrect, incomplete address or failure to notify CPC-M of a change of address
•Missing documents
•Unclear photocopies of documents
•Documents not accompanied by a certified English or French translation
•Investigation of sponsors by CIC
•Verification of information and documents provided (e.g., there may be lengthy procedures for background checks in the countries where the applicant or his or her family members have lived or need for a second interview for additional background screening)
•A medical condition that may require additional tests or consultations
•A criminal or security problem (e.g., failure to declare family members or criminal charges pending)
•Family situations such as impending divorce, custody or maintenance issues
•Completion of legal adoption
•Consultation is required with other offices in Canada and abroad
•Inquiring about the status of your application before the standard processing time has elapsed
Sponsorship I - Spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children 31
•The applicant is not a permanent resident of the country in which he/she currently lives
•The applicant or his or her family members require an interview and lives in an area not regularly visited by immigration officials
•Photos provided by the principal applicant and his or her family members do not comply with specifications set out in Appendix C accompanying The Immigrant's Guide

A big one is: not paying the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF) at the beginning of the process along with the rest of the fees.

[Inlandappl]

•Inquiring about the status of your application before the standard processing time has elapsed
Sponsorship I - Spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children 31

I don't understand this point...I don't think that enquiring about one's application will slow down the application.....maybe you meant something else

[medellinguy]

A big one is: not paying the right of permanent residence fee (RPRF) at the beginning of the process along with the rest of the fees.

yeah, this can make your process 2-3 months longer...GLAD I paid everything at first.

[Inlandappl]

yeah, this can make your process 2-3 months longer...GLAD I paid everything at first.

I paid it too in advance (when i sent additional info) but some people said that CIC sends you a letter anyway  requesting you the proof that you already paid....weird....did it happen to you?

[Inlandappl]

yeah, this can make your process 2-3 months longer...GLAD I paid everything at first.

ah sorry in the previous post i didnt realize you have not landed yet...

[mr.peace]

I don't understand this point...I don't think that enquiring about one's application will slow down the application.....maybe you meant something else

I just copied and pasted it direct from the Sponsor's Guide, the official immigration form.

[canadianwoman]

I just copied and pasted it direct from the Sponsor's Guide, the official immigration form.

Every time someone asks about the application, the VO has to go get it, look for the info requested, and send a reply - time that could be better spent actually processing applications.
This is CIC's reason for telling you asking about your file within normal processing times will delay things.

They also are trying to discourage people from inquiring. Otherwise they would be inundated with calls and emails. Also, in some countries it is considered perfectly normal that you have to badger gov't officials - otherwise nothing will get done. Canadian embassies in those countries are espcially strict in their instructions not to call or email. (Ghana is one.)

[CharlieD10]

Every time someone asks about the application, the VO has to go get it, look for the info requested, and send a reply - time that could be better spent actually processing applications.
This is CIC's reason for telling you asking about your file within normal processing times will delay things.

They also are trying to discourage people from inquiring. Otherwise they would be inundated with calls and emails. Also, in some countries it is considered perfectly normal that you have to badger gov't officials - otherwise nothing will get done. Canadian embassies in those countries are espcially strict in their instructions not to call or email. (Ghana is one.)

Jamaica is another such country.  About the only government agency I've ever dealt with and had a speedy response was...the tax administration.  Why? The government wants its money. 

[canadianwoman]

Yes, and then naturally when citizens of these countries have to deal with Canada, they assume the same 'rules' apply. My husband wanted me to phone and email the Canadian High Commission in Ghana every day to ask about his case, and he wanted me to go there in person several times, screaming at the people working there and making a big fuss. That's what works in Nigeria. He doesn't bellieve me when I tell him it won't help with Canadian bureaucrats.

[CharlieD10]

Yes, and then naturally when citizens of these countries have to deal with Canada, they assume the same 'rules' apply. My husband wanted me to phone and email the Canadian High Commission in Ghana every day to ask about his case, and he wanted me to go there in person several times, screaming at the people working there and making a big fuss. That's what works in Nigeria. He doesn't bellieve me when I tell him it won't help with Canadian bureaucrats.

Yes, I completely understand his attitude, as it is very much the same here in Jamaica.  You have to "get on bad", before anything happens when you deal with a government agency here.  For example, I applied in November for our marriage certificate with express (2 day) processing, paid the express fee, which is 3 times the normal fee.  Two weeks later, I basically had to threaten to sue them (politely, by email) before I received the certificates.  The first time we applied for them with the same fees, it wasn't until two weeks later when my husband called (someone was impressed with his accent, I guess) before it was delivered to us.  My emailing and calling several times produced no results.

I am glad I found this forum before we got into this process though.  Aside from all the help received with compiling the application, I have already learned that the Jamaican attitude of "soon come" very much applies at the Canadian embassy in Kingston.  And learned too, that it is useless thinking that because I am dealing with what is supposed to be an arm of the Canadian government that I should expect some level of efficiency, compliance with a standard operating procedure, or even basic courtesy. 

[regine]

•The applicant is not a permanent resident of the country in which he/she currently lives

Uh oh. I didn't think this would be an issue. My Chinese husband has been living in the UK for the last 2 years on a student visa, so the application is being sent to the London office. Did we make a huge mistake in doing this? How much longer should we expect to wait? 

[rjessome]

Uh oh. I didn't think this would be an issue. My Chinese husband has been living in the UK for the last 2 years on a student visa, so the application is being sent to the London office. Did we make a huge mistake in doing this? How much longer should we expect to wait? 

No, he's fine to choose CHC London for processing as long as he was legally admitted to the UK for at least 1 year.  He must be able to maintain his status there in case an interview is required.  The issue with this is if, for example, your husband's student permit expired before the PR processing was completed and he was not able to extend it and had to leave the UK.  If an interview is required, it would occur in London and he must be able to re-enter the country to attend the interview.  If he couldn't get another visa, then the VO would make a decision based on the information contained in the file and unable to clarify or investigate any issues they had which was why they may have convoked an interview.

[regine]

No, he's fine to choose CHC London for processing as long as he was legally admitted to the UK for at least 1 year.  He must be able to maintain his status there in case an interview is required.  The issue with this is if, for example, your husband's student permit expired before the PR processing was completed and he was not able to extend it and had to leave the UK.  If an interview is required, it would occur in London and he must be able to re-enter the country to attend the interview.  If he couldn't get another visa, then the VO would make a decision based on the information contained in the file and unable to clarify or investigate any issues they had which was why they may have convoked an interview.

Thank you for the reply rjessome. It won't be an issue then, as his study permit is valid for some time. 

We'd rather have the interview in London than in China, as it's easier to get to if needed. Hopefully the interview will be waived though!