nairobi timeline --careful!
I wish someone had told me this before long ago, before my Kenyan husband and I began planning our future. We read online that the Nairobi applications can take up to 24 months. As such, we planned our lives (time off work, etc) with the thought of a long, long time apart. We considered myself moving to Kenya for a year (with our 2 year old son), I applied for leave from work, I bought flight tickets for my son & I that were non-refundable since I was sure he wouldn't get here within 8 months, etc). I made many decisions that affected me financially & personally -- based on this 24 month timeline posted on the government website. Not to mention the emotional stress the idea of waiting 24 months puts you through.
In reality, my application was processed (all of it) within 8 months from beginning to end (Send application to Ottawa January 2012 and my husband arrived in Canada in June 2012). My Canadian friend who married a Kenyan man was the exact same -- 8 months.
I don't think the government realizes that people arrange their lives according to their posted timelines.
I think perhaps since my husband and my friend's husband were both from Kenya, maybe this speeded things up. I can only speculate.
But I do want to put out this message, in case anyone else is considering huge decision based on the 24 month suggested timeline.
