When does the processing time starts?

[IntLove]

The Processing Times for Family Sponsorship in São Paulo is now evaluated at 12 months. On E-cas, they say they received my wife application for permanent residence in the end of August 2012. They say they started processing her application in the start of February 2013.

Is that one year estimation based on when they receive it or when they start processing it?

I am confused because they say this on the processing times page : This information is updated weekly (step 1) and quarterly (step 2) and shows the time it takes to process an application after we receive a complete application package.

 

[Sweden]

Stage 2 starts when the stage 1 is over more or less.
so if you got sponsor approval in September for example, after sending your application in august, then your 12 months starts there.

ecas will always have the "original date" it was received in Mississauga.

also - remember that the 12 months is the time that it takes the VO to process 80% of the applications, so it can take less time.
If you were approved in September, and went "in process" in february, you might be quite close to the finish line, if you have a complete application with all documents, and an uncomplicated case.

Good luck,
Sweden