estimated processing times...from what date?

[curtz678]

Hey everyone! The standard processing times on the CIC website are from what date? The date we received the application (May 7th)? The date that we were notified that they needed more information (July 31st)? Or the date the website says they've begun processing it (October 7th)? My husband and I are trying to work out plans for when I might get my visa (i.e. tell our employers, sell the house, etc.) but we're a little confused on the times. Any help would be appreciated!!!

 

[andrew-brit]

There are processing times for both stages.

Stage 1 is how long it takes to get Sponsor Approval. This stage currently takes 43 days
Stage 2 is how long it takes for the visa office to process the principal applicant. This stage is in months (example: for me it is 11 months).

 

[Kayaker]

I believe it's the date they received your file in the visa office - NOT in Mississauga, but the visa office after sponsorship approval.

However, the processing times on the CIC website can be misleading - that's more a worst case scenario than an average or median. It means that only 20% of people took that long or longer. Unless you think you have considerable red flags that might delay your case, the chances of it taking that long are not very high.

For example, Manila has a processing time of 15 months. Our case took 7 months.

The "processing time" I believe is also important for CIC because you can't complain until that time has passed. Even though 15 months is a longer than average waiting time for people going through the Manila VO, Manila is not obliged to answer Any questions about your application until you have waited 15 months. That saves them a lot of "what happened to my application?" inquiries.

 

[curtz678]

We are at the stage 2 phase...and it says 16 months for me...but I was wondering, 16 months from what date? Approval of sponsorship, notice of more information needed, or notice of date processing? We sent the application to them in May and they just started processing the paperwork on the 7th of this month.

 

[Kayaker]

If your visa office didn't send you an AOR (most visa offices don't - Manila didn't) I would say roughly 16 months from Sponsorship Approval.

Just saying that you might get PR earlier, so be prepared for that possibility. When you get your COPR it will have an expiry date. They will not change that expiry date for you, even if you are planning to move later. (What some people do is go to Canada to "land" as a PR and then come back home to wrap up things and prepare for the move. Costs an extra trip, but there is no choice.)

 

[curtz678]

Thanks Kayaker! Also, we were hoping I would be approved before my sister-in-law's wedding, which is around the 12-month mark from sponsorship approval. If I'm not approved by that point, do you know if I can visit while my visa is processing? I know the US won't allow that (found that out after the fact...hubby was lucky!).

 

[Kayaker]

Depends on whether or not you need a visa to visit Canada. If you don't, no problem at all. If you do, you need to apply for a tourist visa.