When should I get an AOR?

[Scott Z]

Sponsoring my spouse who does not live in Canada. Paid processing fee and applied by mail in September 25, 2018. Canada Post delivered October 1, 2018. It’s now almost 11 weeks later, and we’ve received nothing by mail, email or by way of phone call. Earlier posts suggest a 6 week turnaround for an acknowledgement of receipt. We’re nearly twice that now. Should I be concerned? Can I contact anyone? The government website doesn’t recognize our receipt number with other personal information as an active case file yet.

 

[Wakki]

AOR sometimes takes around 12 weeks......patience

 

[Scott Z]

AOR sometimes takes around 12 weeks......patience

Thanks. Hope you’re right.

 

[Zambezi]

My app was received on August 9th and I didn't get AOR until November 27th. AOR for outland apps is taking a long time right now, so I wouldn't worry too much yet!

 

[Scott Z]

My app was received on August 9th and I didn't get AOR until November 27th. AOR for outland apps is taking a long time right now, so I wouldn't worry too much yet!

Thank you. That’s helpful for a comparison. I’m guessing our original expectation for this to take about 1 year start-to-finish is unrealistic.

 

[np08]

Thank you. That’s helpful for a comparison. I’m guessing our original expectation for this to take about 1 year start-to-finish is unrealistic.

Average processing times are still at 12 months and we've seen a trend towards less than that over the past couple of months (many applications finishing in the 10-11 month range). AORs taking longer (which is also definitely happening lately and isn't a cause for concern) don't automatically make the whole processing time longer.

 

[Scott Z]

Average processing times are still at 12 months and we've seen a trend towards less than that over the past couple of months (many applications finishing in the 10-11 month range). AORs taking longer (which is also definitely happening lately and isn't a cause for concern) don't automatically make the whole processing time longer.

Thank you!

 

[Scott Z]

Update: I received an email today (January 10, 2019) with the AOR attached. The application packet was mailed in late September & received October 1, 2018. The CIC says they began processing the application on January 4, 2019. So, this initial step took a little over 15 weeks for us, from paying the application fee online & submitting the application by mail until receiving the AOR email from the CIC.