Lychee Lychee said:
Hello!!!! I have received my sponsor approval for spouse from Spain on October 31st. It has been sent to Paris. What can I expect for my wife now. She is visiting me in Edmonton for a few months on a Visitors visa. We have been married for sometime and I can't see any issue with the validity of the application. I just don't really understand the process once in Paris. Is there a link or any info out there please let me know..Thanks
Once your file is transferred to Paris (or any VO for that matter), it takes a while before they actually open your file, depending on the backlog at your office...
Once they open it, they will concentrate mostly on 2 things : if your relationship is genuine, and the criminal background of the applicant. If you have a long travel history but given all the Police Checks, then it should not be a problem.
If your case is straightforward, you might have a decision in a few days (from when they open your file). If the VO has doubts, they will ask you for either more documents, or an interview (quite rare for Europeans).
They might update ecas - but might not. If Ecas is updated, you might see "in process", or "decision made". Decision made is rather good news usually!
If you are from a visa exempt, you might not have to submit your passport - the VO will issue a COPR ( confirmation of permanent residence) and send it directly to the address you put in your application. If your wife is in Edmonton with you, and she doesn't intend to go back to Spain, you can change the address to your Canadian one ( through ecas), and the COPR will be sent there directly. Once she gets the COPR, to "activate it" she will need to "land as a PR", probably by flagpoling ( going to the US border and turning back). Some people reported that it was possible ad Edmonton airport, but the information there is confusing, so call ahead if you choose that. Otherwise you can try and book an appointment at a CIC office - but you might have to wait, so depending on how "urgent" it is, you can drive to the US border and back.
Hope it clarifies a bit!
Good luck,
Sweden