bunny82 said:
Immigration package was sent off on the 10th, and it was received and signed for yesterday (the 14th)
I guess they start processing now? Did the processing times just very recently increase? As I see someone in this thread had theirs all done in less than 4 months this year... I have seen a lot of quick ones recently, but then seen the post at the top of this thread with really long wait times... does anyone actually know how long we might be looking at for my US Outland spouse to come here? Thanks.
The processing times change for various VOs.
As an American, your application will be sent to the Ottawa VO after SA approval in Mississauga.
Average times for US Outland Applicants are 6-9 months, though there are always those who get them faster, and some who get the slower. Some VOs have PR times as fast as 4 months, but it's not terribly common for the Ottawa office.
You can check out the general spreadsheet of <a href="http://goo.gl/8X1Ibn">2015 outland applicants here.</a>
Your first step is AOR, which seems to be happening around 30 days average, give or take. AOR will include an application number and UCI number. AOR will be sent to the sponsor, with it coming through email if an email address was provided, and mail if no address was provided.
Next step is SA, which is around another 30 day average wait after AOR. SA will also be sent to the sponsor.
A few days after SA, your application will be sent to the Ottawa VO, and it usually sits a few months before the application goes to IP—if at all. (Some people go from "Application Received" to "Decision Made" without showing "In Progress" at all.) Ottawa doesn't send AOR2 like other VOs, so you won't know when it arrives from Mississauga like you do when your application arrived at Mississauga.
You can <a href="https://services3.cic.gc.ca/ecas/security.do?app=ecas">log in to ECAS</a> using your receipt number from your fees, your application number, or your UCI number to check the status of your application, though it's often times behind, misleading, or not updated. I wouldn't consider ecas to be the most accurate read of your application status.
All in all, I'd definitely look for turnaround times at 5+ months, and hope you somehow win the CIC lottery and see a 4 month timeline. I submitted mine on May 5th as an American, and I am still waiting. I'm hoping to see PR by January 1st, though I'm not expecting anything.
Best of luck!
PS--your spouse/partner can still be IN Canada while his/her application is being processed outland. I am in Canada with my spouse while I wait for my PR. A visitor visa is good for 6 months and can be renewed for an additional 6 months if you need.
