Oh I'm so happy I found this thread!!
Anybody know if it usually takes longer to find out if sponsorship is approved when applying for PR in Quebec? My application to sponsor my spouse was received on October 11th 2011, and when I check my status online it still on says "Application Received"....nothing has been updated since October....
I currently live in the UK with my spouse (who is English) where we were both students, but I'm moving back to Quebec next week and we're trying to figure out when would be the best time for him to fly over...any ideas on all of this?!
Thank you!!! :-)
It shouldn't take any longer at all. Once sponsorship is approved they'll notify you and MICC (if I recall correctly). Then you'll have to fill out the paperwork for sponsorship in Quebec and your spouse's Certificat de Selection du Quebec. While MICC is handling your application on their end your spouse's permanent residency application will be forwarded to the visa office. MICC was really fast last spring when I went through this with my husband. His sponsorship and my CSQ were approved within 2 weeks after we sent in the forms to MICC. Your spouse will receive an official copy of his CSQ in the mail and another will be forwarded directly to the visa office.
Basically the two systems do their own thing at their own time, but it generally works out fine. I think the visa office will even open the file and begin processing it, but they just can't finalize it unless the CSQ has been received.
As for when he should fly over, as long as he's from a visa exempt nation he should be able to come visit you for 6 mths at a time (visitor extensions are only $75 online). If you're concerned that he will be refused entry for some reason, then I would wait until your application has at least been submitted. He should bring proof of payment, copies of his application, etc. with him. Plus he should only come on a visit (i.e. he can't move here yet).
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