- Mar 3, 2015
- 64
- Visa Office......
- Abu Dhabi
- App. Filed.......
- 03-Jun-2015
- Interview........
- None required
- LANDED..........
- 01-Apr-2016
Processing times have jumped dramatically. Canada is missing out on the economic and societal contribution of families whose spouses are waiting overseas to become permanent residents. This letter and petition have concrete suggestions for improvement. Copy the letter text and send it to your MP. Sign the petition. Share both with as many people as you can. Keep this thread current by replying to this post.
Petition to decrease waiting times on change.org - https://www.change.org/p/honourable-chris-alexander-minister-of-citizenship-and-immigration-canada-decrease-canadian-family-class-immigrant-application-times-and-improve-processes-and-responsiveness-for-applicants?recruiter=311776485&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Sample letter to MP
<insert date>
Dear Honorable <insert name of MP>, MP
<name of riding>
Re: Processing times for Family Class Permanent Resident Applications
I'm concerned that the current government no longer views reunification of families as a priority as stated in numerous information sources found online. I implore you to inquire into the resource allocation / management for Citizenship and Immigration Canada as well as the trend in policy to favour economics over families. Strong families have been touted by the current government as a foundation to a great country and strong families make for a strong and stable economy. The actions and words of our current government are not consistent.
The processing times for Family Class sponsorship applications are posted on the CIC website http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm/fc-spouses.asp and understandable there are various factors that can affect these times. Processing times greater than 12 months are unreasonable. Canada is losing out on the economic and community contribution of spouses who are waiting overseas for more than 12 months for their Permanent Residence Application to be processed. his is also affecting the productivity of Canadians who are anxiously awaiting to be re-united with their loved ones or staying with their spouses outside of Canada in limbo, in their ability to focus on their lives, families, and career in Canada.
Last week, the Family Class processing times posted jumped dramatically (some even saying statistically impossible). Abu Dhabi was at 13 months, this week it is at 19 months. Ankara went from 11 months to 26 months. Beirut went from 16 months to 64 months!! More information can be found here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jAx8idceIny08eHap0RI1ALY_veYHLdhJc8tp-f2_BA/edit#gid=0
Has the government changed its priority from reuniting families and instead placed those resources on express entry applications?
Canada has developed some fantastic tools (online application for temporary residence visa) but more work needs to be developed to apply these tools (or similar) to PRV applications. The current CIC ECAS (Electronic Client Application System) is updated inconsistently between visa offices and the application progress information provided is too vague.
Good government means good resource management. It is obvious that there is a resourcing issue for those visa offices that have more difficulty in processing applications in a timely fashion. The gc.ca job bank rarely posts for CIC. Therefore, I am imploring that you inquire into the allocation of resources and ask why steps are not being taken to ensure that Canadians are re-united with their spouses within a reasonable time.
I am humbly requesting that the government of Canada and CIC:
1. Get back to the goal of reuniting families within 6 – 12 months. Apply the necessary resources to make it happen.
2. Review the procedures for processing applicants and update the manuals accordingly. The Manual OP2 (Family Class procedures for outland applicants) has not been updated since 2006 http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op02-eng.pdf and even though some processes are similar in the Inland manual (IP8) which was recently updated, there appear to be many challenges in the logistics of handling applications and communicating progress from overseas visa offices. Ensure consistency is applied across the globe with respect to processing / communication of progress. For example, some people never hear that their application even reaches the assigned visa office until a decision is made.
3. Take advantage of the great tools already developed (the TRV online process) to provide more consistent, timely information to those whose applications are in process (which would also reduce the number of inquiries to MP’s, the CIC call centre, and visa offices overseas, leaving more time to actually process the applications.
4. Ensure that every application sent overseas is provided with a confirmation from the VO overseas upon the arrival of their application, regardless of whether it has been opened or not. This has stressed out so many people…with some finding out months later that their application was lost (because you can’t inquire about much within the processing time).
5. Ensure that those who are waiting for their applications to be processed are provided with updates not only on a process basis, but a time basis (at scheduled intervals). Even getting a message monthly saying, “we are continuing to process your application, no new information is requested at this time” on a regular basis would do wonders for the emotional well being of all. It also helps to ensure that requests for information are not lost. Most of the world has email and this would be relatively easy.
6. Change the policies so that spouses can obtain TRV more easily. Trust them when they apply for a TRV and say that they will leave Canada at the end of the visit so that we can at least introduce our families, our friends, and our country to our loved ones. The benefits greatly outweigh the risks and will help to increase Canada’s productivity. Why would someone jeopardize their application by becoming out of status in Canada?
7. Improve the online Case Specific Inquiry system so that: larger files can be uploaded (2 MB), the total uploaded is increased (to 10 MB), and that the automatic email confirmation provided includes the details of the inquiry (date, time, name, VO, UCI / file number, text entered, list of attached files) and most importantly, a reference number. The general inquiry system already has this type of confirmation. I was shocked that the case specific (which is the ONLY way that those overseas can communicate with CIC) confirmation is simply a generic message with no details allowing one to reference it in the future.
8. Provide a public quarterly report that reflects various metrics on the results of CIC for the processing of Family Class applications such as processing times, breakdown of applicants by citizenship and country of residence, VO performance statistics, etc. (Note if one is already provided please provide me with the link)
I hope that my suggestions are received with the good intention that they are sent with. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
(sent electronically via email)
<insert your name>
Petition to decrease waiting times on change.org - https://www.change.org/p/honourable-chris-alexander-minister-of-citizenship-and-immigration-canada-decrease-canadian-family-class-immigrant-application-times-and-improve-processes-and-responsiveness-for-applicants?recruiter=311776485&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Sample letter to MP
<insert date>
Dear Honorable <insert name of MP>, MP
<name of riding>
Re: Processing times for Family Class Permanent Resident Applications
I'm concerned that the current government no longer views reunification of families as a priority as stated in numerous information sources found online. I implore you to inquire into the resource allocation / management for Citizenship and Immigration Canada as well as the trend in policy to favour economics over families. Strong families have been touted by the current government as a foundation to a great country and strong families make for a strong and stable economy. The actions and words of our current government are not consistent.
The processing times for Family Class sponsorship applications are posted on the CIC website http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm/fc-spouses.asp and understandable there are various factors that can affect these times. Processing times greater than 12 months are unreasonable. Canada is losing out on the economic and community contribution of spouses who are waiting overseas for more than 12 months for their Permanent Residence Application to be processed. his is also affecting the productivity of Canadians who are anxiously awaiting to be re-united with their loved ones or staying with their spouses outside of Canada in limbo, in their ability to focus on their lives, families, and career in Canada.
Last week, the Family Class processing times posted jumped dramatically (some even saying statistically impossible). Abu Dhabi was at 13 months, this week it is at 19 months. Ankara went from 11 months to 26 months. Beirut went from 16 months to 64 months!! More information can be found here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jAx8idceIny08eHap0RI1ALY_veYHLdhJc8tp-f2_BA/edit#gid=0
Has the government changed its priority from reuniting families and instead placed those resources on express entry applications?
Canada has developed some fantastic tools (online application for temporary residence visa) but more work needs to be developed to apply these tools (or similar) to PRV applications. The current CIC ECAS (Electronic Client Application System) is updated inconsistently between visa offices and the application progress information provided is too vague.
Good government means good resource management. It is obvious that there is a resourcing issue for those visa offices that have more difficulty in processing applications in a timely fashion. The gc.ca job bank rarely posts for CIC. Therefore, I am imploring that you inquire into the allocation of resources and ask why steps are not being taken to ensure that Canadians are re-united with their spouses within a reasonable time.
I am humbly requesting that the government of Canada and CIC:
1. Get back to the goal of reuniting families within 6 – 12 months. Apply the necessary resources to make it happen.
2. Review the procedures for processing applicants and update the manuals accordingly. The Manual OP2 (Family Class procedures for outland applicants) has not been updated since 2006 http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op02-eng.pdf and even though some processes are similar in the Inland manual (IP8) which was recently updated, there appear to be many challenges in the logistics of handling applications and communicating progress from overseas visa offices. Ensure consistency is applied across the globe with respect to processing / communication of progress. For example, some people never hear that their application even reaches the assigned visa office until a decision is made.
3. Take advantage of the great tools already developed (the TRV online process) to provide more consistent, timely information to those whose applications are in process (which would also reduce the number of inquiries to MP’s, the CIC call centre, and visa offices overseas, leaving more time to actually process the applications.
4. Ensure that every application sent overseas is provided with a confirmation from the VO overseas upon the arrival of their application, regardless of whether it has been opened or not. This has stressed out so many people…with some finding out months later that their application was lost (because you can’t inquire about much within the processing time).
5. Ensure that those who are waiting for their applications to be processed are provided with updates not only on a process basis, but a time basis (at scheduled intervals). Even getting a message monthly saying, “we are continuing to process your application, no new information is requested at this time” on a regular basis would do wonders for the emotional well being of all. It also helps to ensure that requests for information are not lost. Most of the world has email and this would be relatively easy.
6. Change the policies so that spouses can obtain TRV more easily. Trust them when they apply for a TRV and say that they will leave Canada at the end of the visit so that we can at least introduce our families, our friends, and our country to our loved ones. The benefits greatly outweigh the risks and will help to increase Canada’s productivity. Why would someone jeopardize their application by becoming out of status in Canada?
7. Improve the online Case Specific Inquiry system so that: larger files can be uploaded (2 MB), the total uploaded is increased (to 10 MB), and that the automatic email confirmation provided includes the details of the inquiry (date, time, name, VO, UCI / file number, text entered, list of attached files) and most importantly, a reference number. The general inquiry system already has this type of confirmation. I was shocked that the case specific (which is the ONLY way that those overseas can communicate with CIC) confirmation is simply a generic message with no details allowing one to reference it in the future.
8. Provide a public quarterly report that reflects various metrics on the results of CIC for the processing of Family Class applications such as processing times, breakdown of applicants by citizenship and country of residence, VO performance statistics, etc. (Note if one is already provided please provide me with the link)
I hope that my suggestions are received with the good intention that they are sent with. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
(sent electronically via email)
<insert your name>
