Hi all,
I've read through this whole thread and it seems there is a pretty broad timeline for CR processing that depends on the year, office processing, and of course our own personal circumstances. I doubt I'll get much useful feedback on the timeline of my own but thought it worth asking and if all else fails then I'll at least be part of a community going through or that has gone through something similar. I'm kind of hoping I can calm my anxiety a bit on this whole thing.
Firstly, I didn't submit my CR very long ago and I know it can take a very long time. As a citizen of the US by birth, through a Canadian lawyer my application was submitted to the NYC office on September 4th of this year, 2025, (yes a few days ago) and receipt was acknowledged either the day it was received or the day afterwards. Based on this thread and many others I was actually very surprised to get acknowledgement that quick. Through my lawyer I got an electronic copy of acknowledgement that contained a file number and this message to start, but no processing time estimate unlike others I have seen:
This letter is to confirm that we have received your application for Rehabilitation including the required documents and fees. As such, your file was created in our case management system on 09/04/2025.
My CR was for serious criminality for several dismissed charges that alone would have been serious by their Canadian equivalents and two charges on a single conviction, one of which is also by itself serious from before the year 2000. All sentences and costs, etc. including 6 months jail, basically. and probation were completed in 2001. Those facts alone clearly would indicate the need for individual rehab and I could have done the package myself but here's where it gets tricky.
Upon advice from my lawyer earlier this year I got 1 of the 3 dismissed charges expunged, 2 others sealed(only measure available in that state) and the two charges resulting in conviction expunged (previously sealed almost 20 years ago). We believe that the dismissed charges would not have triggered inadmissibility at all because they were dropped charges (thrown out, not prosecuted, etc.). And we also believe that the expungement of the convictions does equal or exceed the Canadian Record Suspension and therefore should clear any admissibility issues that I would have previously had. Along with the full package and fees, just in case, the analysis was sent regarding the RS equivalency. In my previous home state, where all of this occurred, I do not have a criminal record at this point, technically, and everything has been 'deemed to not have occurred'. My state background check is clear and has been for years, somehow, and the FBI check has also been clear for at least two years and maybe more (again, not sure how).
So assuming for a minute that I have no criminal record, technically, and that IRCC agrees what is the likelihood of needing to wait over a year to get feedback to that effect, if anyone knows? If you made it all the way down here, thanks for reading and for any responses.
I'll, of course, update my timelines later but for now--
My timeline
CR submitted on or about Sept. 4, 2026 - Acknowledgement sent electronically through lawyer same or next day
