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The processing time for sponsor approval, however many days it is, starts when your application is received at CPC-M. When I applied in Feb 2011, the processing time was between 28 and 34 days, so by the end of March 2011 to early April 2011, everyone in the Feb 2011 thread (except us, we clocked in at 81 days) had been approved. That is how I know the clock starts when your application is received at CPC-M, not when it is opened.
 
It's good to hear that the agent I spoke to is wrong about when the timeline begins.

Thanks to everyone who replied!

FS
 
Same in my case, I do not remember exactly how many days were when I sent in my application, but it was in the 70s range, they received my app. on Aug.04, and exactly after those many days I received the AOR E-Mil from them.
So, those days for Stage 1 on CIC site are numbered from the day they receive your app.
 
its from when the recive ur app is when the days start...and for the call center to ask one question u have to call about 3 to 4 times about the same question to find out ur tru answer cuz one agents says some thing diffrent from the rest