Have family class sponsorships always been so slow?

[flx2015]

Does anyone remember how long it took to sponsor a spouse about 10 years ago? i.e. before Harper came into power? I'm asking because someone told me that sponsoring a spouse used to be much quicker 10 years ago, and it's only in the past few years that things started to slow down. That doesn't make sense to me...

 

[jomz]

It would still depend from which country. And I'm sure many other factors affect times.

In 1996 my dad sponsored my mom (his wife) and me. He applied in August 1996 and we received our visas in April 1997, so 8 months in total.

For comparison I sponsors my husband in 2013. Applied in November 2013 and my husband had his visa approved in March 2014 for pickup at embassy in early April. So less than 5 months for total process (which included an interview and was via a rather difficult VO)

 

[flx2015]

It would still depend from which country. And I'm sure many other factors affect times.

In 1996 my dad sponsored my mom (his wife) and me. He applied in August 1996 and we received our visas in April 1997, so 8 months in total.

For comparison I sponsors my husband in 2013. Applied in November 2013 and my husband had his visa approved in March 2014 for pickup at embassy in early April. So less than 5 months for total process (which included an interview and was via a rather difficult VO)

interesting. what visa office did your husband's app go to? mine went to London, unfortunately.

 

[jomz]

interesting. what visa office did your husband's app go to? mine went to London, unfortunately.

My husbands visa office was Rabat, Morocco.

London is usually pretty good, have they slowed down recently?

 

[flx2015]

My husbands visa office was Rabat, Morocco.

London is usually pretty good, have they slowed down recently?

I'm not sure, actually. Some spreadsheets (albeit with only data from a few members) hint at averages of 10 months, but I'm also hearing of some recent applicants getting processed within 5-6 months, so I'll have to wait and see. I would've preferred Ottawa, but I guess they don't send Pakistani spousal cases there.

 

[scylla]

My husband's application was processed from end to end in 4 months in 2010. He's American. I saw several UK applicants get through in 2.5 months at that time as well. At that point Harper had already been in power 5 five years. So not sure of the connection.

 

[Hashipk]

Does anyone remember how long it took to sponsor a spouse about 10 years ago? i.e. before Harper came into power? I'm asking because someone told me that sponsoring a spouse used to be much quicker 10 years ago, and it's only in the past few years that things started to slow down. That doesn't make sense to me...

They have changed time period now it's 17 months for all countries

 

[canadausa#11]

4-5 months seemed to be quite common for a variety of VOs back in 2006/2007.

 

[Buletruck]

2015 applicant, non visa exempt country through SVO done in 5 1/2 months......

 

[scylla]

They have changed time period now it's 17 months for all countries

That's not really true. That's just the displayed processing time. It's not the actual processing time. Actual processing times still vary greatly from VO to VO.

 

[canadausa#11]

The 17 months number is the time it take to complete 80% average across all VO's

 

[F.M]

Does anyone remember how long it took to sponsor a spouse about 10 years ago? i.e. before Harper came into power? I'm asking because someone told me that sponsoring a spouse used to be much quicker 10 years ago, and it's only in the past few years that things started to slow down. That doesn't make sense to me...

The processing times changes from year to year i guess. i know some of the people getting their pr in 13 months while others getting only in 4 months. its all about your luck.

 

[SeulDansMonBocal]

In west Africa they used to be 5 visa office and each could process applications for it citizens and other countries. But now only 2 visas offices for process permanent residency cases. So that might be a reason why things slowed down.

 

[ginsengsamurai]

and it's only in the past few years that things started to slow down. That doesn't make sense to me...

Why wouldn't this make sense?

As time goes on, the country gets more populated, so more restrictions would need to be in place to limit the flow of immigrants. Also, as various events happen around the world, bigger security measures come into play. Thus making the review process more arduous.

Another reason that SuelDansMonBocal mentioned is that some Visa Offices has closed. For example, there used to be one in Berlin, Germany, but that closed down and everyone in Germany now need to have their stuff reviewed in the Vienna office.

 

[Owl29]

I blame the Internet, haha Before that less people developed relationship online, so less applications, you could only meet someone while traveling or studying. Now it is different, INTERNET dating is as common as meeting someone in real life, so of course, more couples fall in love from different countries and that brings more applications. I guess CIC wasn't prepared for Internet LOVE BOOM