Family Class App - I am CDN, my wife American. Both of us live in the USA

[DoubleA]

Afternoon All,

My wife and I recently submitted our application to the Mississauga branch on March 13th. A few questions:

- How do I obtain the case number so that I can check on the status of the app online? Do I have to wait for the first communication from the CIC?

- To those that with an American spouse that have completed the process, was the processing time for your spouses application as long as 11months?

- I see a lot in other posts about "new" forms? What is this all about?

- My work visa in the US runs out in November. What are the chances of the process completing by then given our submission date of March 13th?

Thank You
A

 

[wilson]

How do I obtain the case number so that I can check on the status of the app online? Do I have to wait for the first communication from the CIC?

You will get an acknowledgement from CPC Mississauga

- To those that with an American spouse that have completed the process, was the processing time for your spouses application as long as 11months?

Current processing time is around 11 months.


- I see a lot in other posts about "new" forms? What is this all about?

Just check your guide.


- My work visa in the US runs out in November. What are the chances of the process completing by then given our submission date of March 13th?

Hopefully. Cannot predict.

 

[DoubleA]

Hi Wilson,

When we applied in march, we used the latested forms and info on the cic website.
Has something changed?

Thank you
A

 

[OhCanadiana]

Afternoon All,

My wife and I recently submitted our application to the Mississauga branch on March 13th. A few questions:

Welcome!

- How do I obtain the case number so that I can check on the status of the app online? Do I have to wait for the first communication from the CIC?

As Wilson mentioned, you should get an acknowledgement of receipt from CPC-M shortly before they approve your application and then a sponsor approval letter - these should have a case number (aka B#) and a client number (aka UCI #). However, if you have a UCI number (from any interactions with CIC - e.g., having applied for a visa or PR before or previously sponsoring someone), you can use that also. Note, though, that you likely won't find anything showing until close to the end of step 1.

- To those that with an American spouse that have completed the process, was the processing time for your spouses application as long as 11months?

Come on over to the US thread and you can take a look at the spreadsheet that will give you details on how long it's taken specific folks.

- I see a lot in other posts about "new" forms? What is this all about?

Two new forms allow you to validate the form and create bar codes codifying the info on the form. You can see the latest versions at this website - check the bottom left corner for dates.

- My work visa in the US runs out in November. What are the chances of the process completing by then given our submission date of March 13th?

Thank You
A

If you had asked until last Thursday, I would have said pretty good. On Friday, news leaked that the Buffalo visa office is shutting down and their functions are transferring to NYC. Buffalo used to process 50% of the US applications and also served as the HQ, distributing applications and processing security and background checks so we don't know exactly what will happen to the timing estimates going forward. Hopefully, they won't shift much and you'll still make it.

As I mentioned above, there's a thread where folks applying outland from the US congregate - come on over and join in the fun. Since we just launched a new thread, I pulled together some FAQs with links you may find helpful too!