Outside PR Application Office Selection (Family Sponsorship, Common Law)

[halpert]

Hello again experts,

A few quick questions. My girlfriend is a German citizen and we are applying for PR for her through common law sponsorship. We were always under the impression that if she decided to apply outland (which is best given our situation) she would need to apply through Berlin. I spoke briefly with an agent from CIC today and she told me that we could apply anywhere (including Seattle) which would make a lot of sense since we both live in Vancouver right now (She is on a 1 year IEC young professionals visa) and if she needs to interview it would only be a short drive over the border.

-Should we go with the country with the shorter processing time?
-Is it even possible to go with the Seattle office?
-If it is possible, is there any downside to this at all?

On a side note, Berlin is 11 months waiting time but I couldn't find Seattle listed here: cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm/fc-spouses.asp

Thanks a lot for your help!

-halpert

 

[frege]

Hello again experts,

A few quick questions. My girlfriend is a German citizen and we are applying for PR for her through common law sponsorship. We were always under the impression that if she decided to apply outland (which is best given our situation) she would need to apply through Berlin. I spoke briefly with an agent from CIC today and she told me that we could apply anywhere (including Seattle) which would make a lot of sense since we both live in Vancouver right now (She is on a 1 year IEC young professionals visa) and if she needs to interview it would only be a short drive over the border.

-Should we go with the country with the shorter processing time?
-Is it even possible to go with the Seattle office?
-If it is possible, is there any downside to this at all?

On a side note, Berlin is 11 months waiting time but I couldn't find Seattle listed here: cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm/fc-spouses.asp

Thanks a lot for your help!

-halpert

Hi Halpert,

It seems you'll need to apply either to Ottawa or to Vienna.

For the switch from Seattle to Ottawa, see a notice about a change that occurred on June 1. Just Google "Notice – Where to apply now if you're in the U.S.A. or Canada" (Unfortunately, I can't post links.)

The Berlin office has been transferred to Vienna. Google "Website for the visa Office in Berlin".

For an overall list of offices, Google "Visa Offices: List of Countries and Corresponding Canadian Visa Offices".

As for processing times, I wasn't able to find anything on Seattle either. You can find a detailed spreadsheet by Googling "Permanent Resident Applications Processed Abroad and Processing Times - English Version". It has information on both Vienna and Ottawa. Because of the recent changes, I imagine things may be completely different for these offices now.

Go to the third tab of the spreadsheet, "PR - RP." Under "Destination" select "Federal", select 2011, and select "Spouses and Partners." You'll see that in 2011 the fastest 30% of applications were processed in 4 months in Vienna versus 2 months in Berlin. (Too bad!) The times were similar in Ottawa, but I don't know how this will change now.

 

[halpert]

Hi Halpert,

It seems you'll need to apply either to Ottawa or to Vienna.

For the switch from Seattle to Ottawa, see a notice about a change that occurred on June 1. Just Google "Notice – Where to apply now if you're in the U.S.A. or Canada" (Unfortunately, I can't post links.)

The Berlin office has been transferred to Vienna. Google "Website for the visa Office in Berlin".

For an overall list of offices, Google "Visa Offices: List of Countries and Corresponding Canadian Visa Offices".

As for processing times, I wasn't able to find anything on Seattle either. You can find a detailed spreadsheet by Googling "Permanent Resident Applications Processed Abroad and Processing Times - English Version". It has information on both Vienna and Ottawa. Because of the recent changes, I imagine things may be completely different for these offices now.

Go to the third tab of the spreadsheet, "PR - RP." Under "Destination" select "Federal", select 2011, and select "Spouses and Partners." You'll see that in 2011 the fastest 30% of applications were processed in 4 months in Vienna versus 2 months in Berlin. (Too bad!) The times were similar in Ottawa, but I don't know how this will change now.

Hey thanks a lot for your reply. We went with the safe bet and chose Vienna, turns out it is a good thing we did because Seattle is currently a 2-3 year wait with these new changes. Or at least it is at the moment.

 

[frege]

Hey thanks a lot for your reply. We went with the safe bet and chose Vienna, turns out it is a good thing we did because Seattle is currently a 2-3 year wait with these new changes. Or at least it is at the moment.

My understanding is that Seattle is no longer taking Family Class applications, and they go to Ottawa instead. In any case, good luck with the application.