Spousal sponsorship timeline
- Thread starter AdPaul
- Start date
My application on the portal is now showing as complete. It had laid in a dormant state for many months in terms of background check and eligiblity not being complete. I originally applied in February 2024 (outland) so that's 3 months short of two years.
However it doesn't mean I will get residency anytime soon because I have to wait for Quebec to process its backlog of applications. But at least I've made progress in terms of Canada itself.
However it doesn't mean I will get residency anytime soon because I have to wait for Quebec to process its backlog of applications. But at least I've made progress in terms of Canada itself.
When did you notice this change. I am also 2024 Outland, and what changed to complete. Your eligibility or background check. Because mine eligibility has not started and background in progress
Both Background check and Eligibility are now showing as complete on my file. They sent me a pre-arrival services letter by email the other day and then when I logged on today to see if my file had been updated that's when I noticed everything is complete (my medical and biometrics were completed a long time ago).
I applied may 2024. And my eligibility has not even started. One year and six months of silence. Tracker was last update last year so October. I just hope and pray I get a news too just like you.
Yep it sure did! lol. (In May 2025) No doubt at some point they will ask me to get another one done.
As for you, just hold on, I've been "holding on" for what seems like forever, just waiting for them to progress my file. I know it can feel torturous. By the way my eligibility was also showing as "not started" until a few days ago, but now showing as "complete". My background check and Eligibility appear to have been completed at the same time.
Okay. There’s hope for me also. I have waited this long. I still have to wait I don’t have a choice. I just pray they haven’t forgotten the application which I know is impossibile
My medical expired a year ago because they took it from my previous study permit application. Just I’m keeping my fingers crossed
That was the hard part for me too.. I was starting to get paranoid for a while that my file had somehow got "lost" in the system. lol. So receiving an update this week was a huge relief.
Obviously the time it takes varies case-by-case. My application (I believe) was fairly straightforward but you still have to just wait. You can always phone them to get some reassurance on the state of your file, but mostly likely they will tell you you'll just have to wait (because of Quebec).
Calling them is pointless because they can’t access my file because it’s outside Canada. But I will still give it a try. But I’m sure 2026 a lot of 2024 applicant will get response because a lot of 2023 applicants are getting response now from ircc. So next year will be our turn
Oh yeah sorry I forgot you are Outland. I'm also an outland application but I've been in Canada for a while on a spousal open work permit, so it's easy for me to just phone them if I need to.
They CAN access your file (whether it's inland or outland). I'm not sure why you say they can't. Perhaps send them an online inquiry. I tend not to bother them anymore in case I over-complicate my application, to be honest.
Once when I did phone IRCC the guy said my file/application was all in order and progressing smoothly and gave me as much info as he could, but then said it was the Quebec side of things that was holding things up.
Okay you’re in Canada already. That’s why your file moved because they already screen you for background and eligibility before your work permit. So I’m still outside Canada hopefully next year or next month I might get an update. I only sent Webform and they told me my file is in queue
I don't think they did my background check faster because I was in Canada. Actually the background check consists of two separate areas: criminality check and security check. The first is done when you first apply because you have to provide valid police clearance certificates, but it seems they put "Background check" on hold in the tracker until the security check is done, which can involve third party companies who do a more thorough check on you in your home country. I'm not an expert on how things work, but I did learn a few things when I phoned IRCC about how criminality check and security check are two separate things.