American coming to Canada (Outland-Spouse sponsorship)

[Jojo66]

Im new to this forum, just looking to know from people that have gone through this already, how long it actually takes for your spouse (married) to get to Canada from the States? Thanks for your answers in advance!

 

[keesio]

It can vary but for a complete (nothing missing or incorrectly filled out) outland application with no red flags (no areas of concern), it probably averages between 8-10 months. 10 months would be on the long-ish side IMHO. Many people have gotten it earlier than 8 months. My wife got hers in 7 months and one recent member had her husband's application done in just 5 months.

 

[Jojo66]

It can vary but for a complete (nothing missing or incorrectly filled out) outland application with no red flags (no areas of concern), it probably averages between 8-10 months. 10 months would be on the long-ish side IMHO. Many people have gotten it earlier than 8 months. My wife got hers in 7 months and one recent member had her husband's application done in just 5 months.

WOW? really? We were expecting the 15 month wait and anything earlier would be a bonus. We are "older" lol, our kids are all grown and theres no "baggage" per-say. They received her application the end of march and acknowledged her medical and I have been approved as her sponsor. Thanks keesio,i appreciate your answer!

 

[keesio]

The 15 months on CIC's site is the average time for the majority of applicants. This includes people with issues with their application (missing documentation, incorrectly filled applications, suspicious relationship, criminal record, etc). Those applications would skew the average up. But if you have a straightforward application then it is much faster. If your application takes 15 months, then something went wrong.

If they received her application in March then I would say that it is pretty reasonable to expect everything to be done by the end of the year

 

[Jojo66]

The 15 months on CIC's site is the average time for the majority of applicants. This includes people with issues with their application (missing documentation, incorrectly filled applications, suspicious relationship, criminal record, etc). Those applications would skew the average up. But if you have a straightforward application then it is much faster. If your application takes 15 months, then something went wrong.

If they received her application in March then I would say that it is pretty reasonable to expect everything to be done by the end of the year

That would be the best XMas gift ever, we have been waiting 9 yrs to finally be together!

 

[Triley]

Am I reading the website wrong or something? I'm seeing that an outland spouse sponsorship from the US has a 26 or 30 month wait, depending on if you choose Los Angeles or New York for your processing visa office.

 

[chala]

That would be the best XMas gift ever, we have been waiting 9 yrs to finally be together!

You can get a good idea of the expected on average processing wait times by checking the Ottawa thread of this forum.

 

[michellestella]

Am I reading the website wrong or something? I'm seeing that an outland spouse sponsorship from the US has a 26 or 30 month wait, depending on if you choose Los Angeles or New York for your processing visa office.

You're not reading it wrong, but the majority of American applicants are processed in Ottawa (it functions like an external visa office). Applications only go to Los Angeles if they require 'secondary inspection' or they determine you need to be interviewed. New York does not handle sponsorship applications at all, not sure why they still have it up on the site.

 

[Triley]

You're not reading it wrong, but the majority of American applicants are processed in Ottawa (it functions like an external visa office). Applications only go to Los Angeles if they require 'secondary inspection' or they determine you need to be interviewed. New York does not handle sponsorship applications at all, not sure why they still have it up on the site.

That's awesome. That definitely lessens the blow. Thanks!

 

[keesio]

Yup all US applications got to Ottawa. If it is fairly straightforward with minimal (or no) red flags, then it stays in Ottawa and is all processed there. If they have a lot of issues with your application and also feel an interview is needed, they will transfer to NY or LA. Hence the extended timelines there, since they are all "problem" applications.

 

[Millertimez]

They will only forward your application to LA if there are red flags. This just happened to my uncle who is sponsoring his US wife. They applied outland June 2013 and recently were called for an interview in LA. Keep in mind they have been married for 15+ years but problem is they only submitted four wedding pics as proof of relationship, hence the reason why their application got transferred there.

 

[keesio]

Another outland applicant from the US just got Decision Made (the final step before getting your landing papers) and looks to get their landing papers in under 6 months. Looks like timelines for outland Americans in Ottawa is moving along nicely.

 

[keesio]

They will only forward your application to LA if there are red flags. This just happened to my uncle who is sponsoring his US wife. They applied outland June 2013 and recently were called for an interview in LA. Keep in mind they have been married for 15+ years but problem is they only submitted four wedding pics as proof of relationship, hence the reason why their application got transferred there.

I'm surprised that the lack of wedding photos (4) would cause issues. There was another applicant from the US that sent less than 10 photos total for everything. Wedding was in the living room of a friend's house with just a few relatives. She had no issues. Looks like there is indeed a bottom limit even for American applicants.

 

[QuebecOkie]

The way I read that, the ONLY proof of relationship was 4 wedding photos (no other photos, no essay?).

I sent a bare minimum of proof (submitted before I found this forum; lucky I made it through the process!). 8 photos posted into my essay talking about when we first met, when we met each other's families, and the travel we'd done together (along with three travel itineraries). We were married in casual clothes at the courthouse, and the only photo from our wedding just shows the two of us (and not our three friends who were there as witnesses). We breezed through the inland process, despite some mistakes on my end, in just under a year.

 

[keesio]

The way I read that, the ONLY proof of relationship was 4 wedding photos (no other photos, no essay?).

Oh, if that is the case then yes I can understand that!