Status Update - Is it normal to wait long?

[littlegatter9]

I am a Canadian Citizen currently in the process of sponsoring my Portuguese husband for his PR.

We have sent in all the information, and my Sponsorship status has been approved by the Mississauga office. They, in turn sent the application to Paris to be processed.

However, that was in the beginning of Jan. 2009. We have not recieved anything to confirm whether or not the Paris office has even recieved our application. I am not expected an update in status necessarily, just wondering if there is any way I can find out if my application arrived there safely and is actually in process.

I am currently in Portugal with my husband which is why our application is considered out of country.

It seems to me that Paris does not except any telephone calls regarding this issue, and on the website it allows you to send a status request only if your application has passed the normal processing times.

Once again, my dilemma is how can I found out simply that my application has arrived and is being taken care of?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Laura.

[ariell]

Hi Laura

You won't receive a letter to confirm that they received your application.

You will have to go here to check your application status: https://services3.cic.gc.ca/ecas/?app=ecas&lang=en

[RobsLuv]

Some overseas visa offices send what's referred to as an "AOR", or Acknowledgment of Receipt letter that tells you that they have the file and that gives you the file number.  But apparently not all do this (makes no sense to me why not).  Anyway, other than that, it's normal not to receive much information from the overseas processing offices . . . you can check your status online at the link posted above - by now it will probably be logged in, but it's never going to say much more than "In Process".

Paris is currently finalizing spousal PR aps in 5-9 months.  If you go past about 7 months you might consider ordering your CAIPS notes to get a better idea of what's happening with the file.  You've got the additional consideration with your application of proof of your intention to resettle in Canada - which is assessed by the visa office.  Simply having gotten sponsorship approval does not mean that CIC is convinced of your intent to return.  So that might complicate things a bit, and add some time to your processing.  In other words, "straight-forward" cases can expect finalization around the 5 months mark - yours isn't exactly straight-forward, so you should expect it to take a bit longer.   

[PMM]

Hi

Some overseas visa offices send what's referred to as an "AOR", or Acknowledgment of Receipt letter that tells you that they have the file and that gives you the file number.  But apparently not all do this (makes no sense to me why not).  Anyway, other than that, it's normal not to receive much information from the overseas processing offices . . . you can check your status online at the link posted above - by now it will probably be logged in, but it's never going to say much more than "In Process".

Paris is currently finalizing spousal PR aps in 5-9 months.  If you go past about 7 months you might consider ordering your CAIPS notes to get a better idea of what's happening with the file.  You've got the additional consideration with your application of proof of your intention to resettle in Canada - which is assessed by the visa office.  Simply having gotten sponsorship approval does not mean that CIC is convinced of your intent to return.  So that might complicate things a bit, and add some time to your processing.  In other words, "straight-forward" cases can expect finalization around the 5 months mark - yours isn't exactly straight-forward, so you should expect it to take a bit longer.   

A lot of offices don't send an AOR for spousal cases, as it is an extra step, takes time, costs money (someone has to prepare it address and mail it) and since they aim to complete processing in 6 months with the infor. on ecas, not much point.

PMM

[littlegatter9]

Thanks for the direction. I believe that Paris does send the Confirmation letter because it is stated on their website. I hope so anyways. If not, this is extremely frustrating, because for all I know, something could have happened to the package in the mail, and then I have to wait 6 or so months only to find out they havent even actually received it? You have to be kidding.

[mitamata]

I'm afraid that Paris seems to be one of the most unresponsive visa offices out there
I know of people who've had their applications there for over a year and haven't managed to get any updates other than "In process".

Through my dealings with the immigration administrations, I've often thought "You have to be kidding" as well. Unfortunately, it's no joke. I'm afraid you'll likely just have to wait.

Do check for your application on ecas though. You should find the permanent residency application is at least being processed. If you don't even see that for much longer, then it's time to start nagging. Though according to the CIC website,

If your relative is applying for permanent residence from outside Canada, the CPC will send the application by courier to the appropriate visa office in your relative's home country. It will be processed there.

I've also heard it said it's sent using diplomatic mail. Either way, I've never heard of an application getting lost. Put on a shelf and left to gather dust, yes. But not lost. Poor consolation, I know.

[littlegatter9]

I just wanted to update those of you who were kind enough to respond to my post, and also anyone who may be in the same situation as me regarding the Paris Office.

I have just received in the mail today a confirmation of my application. Thank God! The letter basically states that they have recieved my application and it is in process, and they have given me a file number should I need to contact them. They do state that they will not respond to any inquiries unless the application is outside of the standard processing times, which currently is 6-12 months.

As a reminder, my application was sent to Paris at beginning of January, so it took 2 months to get a confirmation. However, considering, I can´t bad talk Paris completely. Just thought this update might be helpful to someone in the same situation.

Laura.

[frolic]

Having just completed the whole process you wont see much happening really.

If you check online you might see some things...for instance I saw "Decision Made" for my sponsorship 2 days AFTER I received the letter telling me the same thing.

Then it took a month to show "In Process" at the far embassy for the PR application.  I got a letter telling me the same thing a week later.

Then another month before it showed "Medical Received".

Then my wife was called and asked for her passport and informed she was granted the visa.  A month later the website status finally changed to show "Decision made". 

I know it is maddening to wait and wonder but hopefully the above can show people that things do work although maybe not as fast as we would all like.  Personally I got into the habit of working on things to prepare for her arrival all week...and would only check on the status every Wednesday morning so I wouldn't be watching that damn page all the time.  Helped me a lot.