How long did it take for you?

[ImmigrationForDummies]

Hi, I'm an Australian seeking permanent residency sponsorship through my boyfriend. We've been living together for two years. I have just renewed my open work permit for two years and once that's up, that's it, I have to get this PR if I want to stay (it could really screw me if I'm working in a great job when it expires and I don't have PR by then).

I'm kind of freaking out because I'm behind on my PR application and I've heard rumours that it can take up to three years. (!!) On the other hand, I have heard of people getting PR after four months (US citizen). I was wondering if you would share how long it took you to get your family class sponsorship, especially if you are an Australian, and any tips you might have to make sure my application goes smoothly. I've had great help on this forum before, so thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Hi!

The timing really varies between visa offices. You can take a look at the time it takes CIC to process 80% of the applications by visa office at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm-fc.asp

Also, if you are planning to apply through the Sydney Australia Visa Office, take a look at the timing folks have posted on their profile in the Australian thread at http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/thread-for-applications-through-sydney-australia-office-t46958.510.html.

Good luck!

 

[Rob_TO]

Current Australia processing times is showing as 9 months. Add another month for the stage 1 sponsor processing... and its a very good chance you would have your PR within 10 months of applying (Outland of course... not Inland).

Timing really depends though on the strength of your application, if there are any red flags or suspicious things, or even the type of person the visa officer is who gets selected for your file. Lots of people get lucky with super quick times (ours was 4 months total) and other have to wait much longer than the posted times. However with a straightforward app you should be optimistic of hitting the posted times or quicker.

 

[ImmigrationForDummies]

That's really good info. When it talks about the medical and background checks, I thought I saw somewhere that I could submit my medical check separately at a later date, once stage two has been done. OR: do you submit it at the same time as the rest of your paperwork, all in one go?

 

[ImmigrationForDummies]

Current Australia processing times is showing as 9 months. Add another month for the stage 1 sponsor processing... and its a very good chance you would have your PR within 10 months of applying (Outland of course... not Inland).

Timing really depends though on the strength of your application, if there are any red flags or suspicious things, or even the type of person the visa officer is who gets selected for your file. Lots of people get lucky with super quick times (ours was 4 months total) and other have to wait much longer than the posted times. However with a straightforward app you should be optimistic of hitting the posted times or quicker.

Thanks Rob, that does make me feel *slightly* better about everything. I am inland though--I've always been confused about outland. Should I apply to somewhere like LA to make it easier, or Australia? Note my sponsor is not allowed to go to the United States.

 

[ImmigrationForDummies]

Also Rob, what would a strong application be in your opinion?

I have photos from Christmas with the family dating back two years, lots and lots of photos with the family, and witnesses, but the only paper trail we have is a newly signed lease agreement together. I was going to add phone records and emails, but we don't have much formal stuff as he was supporting me financially for quite a while.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Thanks Rob, that does make me feel *slightly* better about everything. I am inland though--I've always been confused about outland. Should I apply to somewhere like LA to make it easier, or Australia? Note my sponsor is not allowed to go to the United States.

You have 3 choices:
1) select Sydney, Australia (though you send your application to CPC-M first for sponsor assessment)
2) select CPP-O (the new US visa office, sending your application to CPC-M first) since you have been legally admitted to Canada for at least one year (based on your work permit). Just consider that the US visa office is in the midst of a series of changes (they closed down Buffalo and have a backlog from dealing with the move, training, etc) so the timing is quite lengthy now. It will likely speed up in the new year since they can issue visas as of Nov 27 but there's no telling exactly what it will be.
3) apply inland through CPC-V

Applying outland through Sydney can be faster than inland. However, if an interview is required you would need to travel back to Syndey for it. With the US, at least it would be a shorter trip albeit potentially a longer processing time IF an interview is needed.

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks Rob, that does make me feel *slightly* better about everything. I am inland though--I've always been confused about outland. Should I apply to somewhere like LA to make it easier, or Australia? Note my sponsor is not allowed to go to the United States.

I believe you MUST go through either your current resident country or your home country's visa office... so for you the only choices would be Canada (Inland) or Sydney (Outland).

Since you already have a work permit for 2 years, IMO i would go outland since overall it's much quicker to get your PR, and in your case you don't need to worry about working as soon as possible. Also with outland apps you have more flexibility on travelling and entering/exiting Canada during the process. Perhaps others can give some "pros" for the Inland way.

Also Rob, what would a strong application be in your opinion?

I have photos from Christmas with the family dating back two years, lots and lots of photos with the family, and witnesses, but the only paper trail we have is a newly signed lease agreement together. I was going to add phone records and emails, but we don't have much formal stuff as he was supporting me financially for quite a while.

You have a longer common-law relationship than my gf and I at the time of our application! We basically showed some pics of us with our friends/families/travelling, have a joint credit card, and my employment benefits/life insurance with her as beneficiary. We never shared a lease together as i already had a mortgage when we met, so the main proof of us sharing an address was having some mail addressed to her at our house. If he was supporting you financially and you can show this, it's very good proof of a genuine relationship.

Though as i said, nobody here can say if your app is strong or weak. It all depends on what the visa officer thinks. Going through some other country or if another VO had happened to review our file... it could have gone in a completely different direction.

 

[ImmigrationForDummies]

I'm confused as to what CPC-M and CPC-V mean?

If I have to go to Australia for the interview, I'm assuming my boyfriend will have to go also?

Thanks so much for this. I have a really hard-ass internship at the moment and I'm not allowed to make phone calls during the day, so I have v. little time to communicate with Immigration Canada.

 

[OhCanadiana]

I believe you MUST go through either your current resident country or your home country's visa office... so for you the only choices would be Canada (Inland) or Sydney (Outland).

Actually, IFD can also go through CPP-O if she prefers since she has been legally admitted to Canada for at least a year (option 2 in my prior post). See http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/apply-where.asp.

If an interview is needed, she would then need to fly to a visa office in the US (based on where CPP-O sends the file).

 

[OhCanadiana]

I'm confused as to what CPC-M and CPC-V mean?

If I have to go to Australia for the interview, I'm assuming my boyfriend will have to go also?

Thanks so much for this. I have a really hard-ass internship at the moment and I'm not allowed to make phone calls during the day, so I have v. little time to communicate with Immigration Canada.

Case Processing Centre Mississauga (and Vegreville, respectively).

Applying outland you send your application to CPC-M and then they forward it to the visa office you select for step 2 of the processing after they have made an initial assessement. Inland, you mail it to CPC-V and then they forward it also within Canada.

ETA: Yes, usually only the applicant needs to go to interviews (they call the sponsor if they have questions and they aren't present).

 

[Rob_TO]

If I have to go to Australia for the interview, I'm assuming my boyfriend will have to go also?

Usually only the applicant needs to attend interviews, since with Ouland its assumed the applicant is in their home country and sponsor is in Canada. I'm not sure in some outland cases if they also demand the sponsor attend... others will need to advise.

 

[freezing_aussie]

In order to not repeat what has been covered already here and elsewhere ImmigrationForDummies, I will point you instead to some helpful resources. You will find it especially helpful to read through the two threads dedicated to Australian applicants:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/thread-for-applications-through-sydney-australia-office-t46958.0.html

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/australian-or-nz-applicants-share-timeline-here-t105255.0.html

One of the members, rachiy, has been very kindly keeping a spreadsheet of 2012 Sydney applicants, which should give you a sense of timelines.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmVlTaJuxc5kdFlsVkRfVFVOTWtCYjVjdU9tR1o2aXc#gid=0

Have a read through those links and then post any follow up questions on those threads. This thread title is very vague and many people who might be able to help will not click on it. Most people tend to keep track of only one of two specific threads, as there is a lot of activity on this forum. You are more likely to get advice specifically related to Australian applicants in the treads I linked to above.

Best of luck!

 

[figgy]

my boyfriend is Australian and was just approved last week. we applied july 10th of this year so, just over 6 months ! our application was really straight forward...we both live in canada, both working, no kids etc.... so it can be done really quick in some cases as long as you apply from "outside" ie- through sydney.

i recommend joining the Australian threads on here, super helpful!

also....i have yet to hear of anyone having to go to sydney for an interview.... visa exempt countries rarely have to have interviews i have heard...

also keep in mind outland just means u apply outside of canada even if you are both INSIDE canada. you send everything including medical and all fees and police checks to mississauga, once they approve your boyfriend as a sponsor he entire package is sent to sydney who will process it. they will then request your passport to be sent to sydney (luckily they accept scanned copies by email!)

 

[AnaMaria]

If you apply inland, you are not permitted to leave the country, no vacations, no business trips, no family emergencies (seems there are some exceptions though). If you apply outland, you have an appeal right. Something to consider as well.