Express Entry PR – Spouse Added After AOR | Final Stage per IRCC Call.

[Eattiawassim]

Hi everyone,


I’m looking for insight on my PR application, especially from those who added a spouse after AOR and experienced long background check delays.


My timeline:

• AOR: December 27, 2024 (applied as single)
• Married
• Spouse documents request added: May 2025
• Biometrics request (spouse): July 31, 2025
• My eligibility: Passed July 31, 2025
• ADR for spouse (police certificates + military exemption): Submitted August 22, 2025
• My background check: Completed August 27, 2025
• Spouse background check: In progress since August 27, 2025

Most recent IRCC call (this is my main question):
The agent told me:

• Everything is passed on my side , husband everything passed except security is in progress
• There is a note on the file that the office is aware the application is past normal processing time and they are working to finalize it
• An officer is assigned to the file

MP involvement:
I also contacted my MP’s office in early March. They confirmed the same status and advised me to follow up again in early May if there are no updates.

My questions:

• What does it actually mean when IRCC says “an officer is assigned to your file” at this stage?
• Isn’t an officer assigned from the beginning anyway?
• Does this indicate the file is actively being worked on now?
• For those who received a similar update, how long did it take to

Would really appreciate any insights or similar timelines

 

[CanGoldDigger]

The information from the call agent isn't worth the trouble calling and means nothing most often. Just generic responses.

 

[canuck78]

Hi everyone,


I’m looking for insight on my PR application, especially from those who added a spouse after AOR and experienced long background check delays.


My timeline:

• AOR: December 27, 2024 (applied as single)
• Married
• Spouse documents request added: May 2025
• Biometrics request (spouse): July 31, 2025
• My eligibility: Passed July 31, 2025
• ADR for spouse (police certificates + military exemption): Submitted August 22, 2025
• My background check: Completed August 27, 2025
• Spouse background check: In progress since August 27, 2025

Most recent IRCC call (this is my main question):
The agent told me:

• Everything is passed on my side , husband everything passed except security is in progress
• There is a note on the file that the office is aware the application is past normal processing time and they are working to finalize it
• An officer is assigned to the file

MP involvement:
I also contacted my MP’s office in early March. They confirmed the same status and advised me to follow up again in early May if there are no updates.

My questions:

• What does it actually mean when IRCC says “an officer is assigned to your file” at this stage?
• Isn’t an officer assigned from the beginning anyway?
• Does this indicate the file is actively being worked on now?
• For those who received a similar update, how long did it take to

Would really appreciate any insights or similar timelines

If you add a spouse during processing then processing times no longer apply. Depending on your husband’s background there isn’t an exact timeframe for processing. Assume you would have still been selected if your spouse had been part of your original application. Getting married after someone has received ITA also leads to concerns when it comes to immigration fraud so there is often extra time looking into relationship history.