Urgent question regarding the processing office of our case

[GeeJay]

My boyfriend and I are both Syrian. He lives in Syria while I live in Canada as a Canadian citizen. We met online 2 years ago and we plan on getting married at the end of the summer. He's Christian but I'm Muslim and considering the current situation in Syria and the lack of civil laws, we are unable to get married there and neither would Canada accept him. We plan to travel to Turkey or China to get married and obtain at least a one year residency, so we will be living there together.
Previously on the IMM0008 there was an option to select the visa office that serves the country of our nationality or the country where we have been legally admitted for at least one year . The processing times in Turkey and China are significantly shorter than Jordan’s 22 months not to mention that Jordan which its office is repressible for the Syrians nationals has tightened entry for Syrians due to the influx of Syrian refugees which makes it nearly impossible for us to go there in case we get called for an interview.
We were wondering what are the chances of them sending the application to one of their offices where we have been legally admitted for at least one year ? Do we have to ask them to do so? Will they be understanding of our situation?

 

[SchnookoLoly]

You can always include a letter making the request, but ultimately it's up to CIC if they file the application based on residency or on citizenship. I have seen both with no particular rhyme or reason as to how they make the determination.

 

[Kayaker]

Unfortunately you can't ultimately choose which office the application gets sent to. You can ask for it, but in the end it is CIC's decision. You are sending the whole application to Missisauga, and after they approve you as a sponsor, they will send the application to whichever visa office they deem appropriate.

Of course, if he can show them that he has been legally admitted to Turkey or China for a year, there is a good chance that they will send it to a visa office there. I'd send them proof (such as a visa valid for a year) and add a note (a cover letter) explaining that you wish to be processed not in Syria but in Turkey (or China). After that, just cross your fingers!

Good luck!