I have a very important question regarding processing times for my daughter and wife's PR visa applications who are planning to move back to Canada from Japan with myself. I (the sponsor and Canadian citizen) am planning to return to Canada prior to my wife and child's departure in order to get set up in Canada with employment etc. We were just notified that out application has arrived at CIC in Mississauga but are completely unsure of how long the application process will take. I would like to return to Canada ASAP but I also don't want to be separated from my family for too long. My question is whether or not they would be able to come to Canada without actually having received their visas yet but get some sort of proof that their applications are pending. Does anyone know if this is at all possible? Does anyone have idea when the first initial contact is made from CI? Our application arrived over a week ago. Sorry if these questions are slightly difficult to understand but any assistance in regards to this matter would be hugely appreciated. Thank you in advance. Cheers! IMPORTANT QUESTION REGARDING VISA APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME.