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SPOUSAL Sponsorship PAKISTAN @ London Visa Office

InfoSeeker12

Champion Member
Aug 28, 2012
1,488
387
Canada
LANDED..........
Sep 2013
What is going on with London Visa Office and processing applications from Pakistan? According to the spreadsheet, most of the Pakistanis who applied in December/November/October/September/August of last year STILL haven't updated that they've received their COPR/passport request. Is this just because people forgot to update it?

If that's the case, it would be very kind if people could actually update the spreadsheet with when they get any result back. You can find the spreadsheet here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/192sbvjd4vJsEWY_B7w5DgFKBmIPNYo6TjlVWAk-xxxA/htmlview#gid=2037240319


The whole purpose of this forum is to help others with the uncertainty of this whole application process. Maybe we just don't have a very kind and open group of sponsorship applicants from Pakistan this year? In past years it seems people were more supportive.

But what's more strange is that if you look at people who applied in 2021, like people who applied in March of 2021, a bunch of people were getting the whole process done in 6-9 months. In 2021, most Pakistani applicants did not wait for more than 3 months after medical for the passport request.

So assuming that the spreadsheet is updated, what's the hold up? It makes zero sense that because of the pandemic, they're slower this year. London Visa Office was faster last year during the pandemic with sponsorship applications! So why are they slower this year?! Makes no sense.

I don't want to join any Whatsapp group. But if there's some other spreadsheet where everyone is uploading their info that I'm not aware of, may someone please share it?

My guess is that this slowing down is because of the whole Imran Khan getting kicked out fiasco. Change in government. Another classic example of American imperialism, making life harder for the developing world who doesn't matter.

Maybe due to these rough political events, we've moved down in importance to the Canadian government. Plus we're not white Ukranians--Never mind the new corrupt Pakistani government destroying people's livelihoods and that there's been a flood of biblical proportions that's ravaged half of Pakistan. I guess this is just not one of the lucky years to have applied for sponsorship. The election of Trudeau was supposed to also ensure that family reunification was kept at the forefront, but this year is proving that was just to get his initial approval ratings and now he doesn't seem to care.

I'm going to remember this, liberal government. Seriously. You don't have my vote next time if my spouse is not here in less than one year.
Bro - you think Trudeau or Sean is reading this? More importantly - Yes, i agree. Its really helpful if everyone updates the tracker as soon as they get updates, or within a reasonable time. It helps everyone. I hope its not the London visa office, but perhaps everyone forgot to update the tracker.
 

Rkhan88

Full Member
Oct 11, 2022
20
11
Sorry to hear about your struggles and can sympathize with the frustration you must feel. Hopefully inshaAllah we can still get our passport requests this year--we both have very similar timelines, I will post again when I get another update. And my background check and Eligibility are also still "Not Started" in PR Tracker. I usually have like 1-2 ghost updates per week in the tracker as well.
Inshallah. For sure will keep you posted as well. I'm also seeing 1-2 ghost updates in PR tracker weekly. The one thing that I did not understand about in the GCMS notes under eligibility and criminality that it had a "Due date section" and that was listed as April 11, 2023. I just hope they don't take that long to actually look at it until then. Few other posts mentioned that the due date is a reminder for the officer that will be reviewing, while others said it can be before or after the due date. Well, I guess its just a waiting game now.
 
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InfoSeeker12

Champion Member
Aug 28, 2012
1,488
387
Canada
LANDED..........
Sep 2013
I was wondering if someone with knowledge or first hand experience in any of the points mentioned below, can guide me:
#1-if a canadian citizen marries in pakistan, should the citizen apply for spouse visa from islamabad (right after marriage) or return back to Canada and apply from Canada? Is that Inland application?
#2-Previously, 4-5 years back, i recall that it was not possible for a Pakistani (or any) spouse to get TRV-Visitor visa, if spouse visa has already been applied. Is that still the case? Or are they giving it easily now?
#3-I've heard read here, that applicants are applying for Open Work Permit for their spouses once they get AOR. But does the education/profession of spouse (being sponsored) matters? Like if someone is teacher in pakistan - they are not going to be able to get a job in teaching. But perhaps some other job. Does that matter in applying for Open Work Permit? And are OWP being given in 4-5 months?
#4-Lastly, is it correct to assume that its taking almost 2 years (in most cases) to bring a Pakistani spouse to Canada on Spouse Visa?
 

Rkhan88

Full Member
Oct 11, 2022
20
11
I was wondering if someone with knowledge or first hand experience in any of the points mentioned below, can guide me:
#1-if a canadian citizen marries in pakistan, should the citizen apply for spouse visa from islamabad (right after marriage) or return back to Canada and apply from Canada? Is that Inland application?
#2-Previously, 4-5 years back, i recall that it was not possible for a Pakistani (or any) spouse to get TRV-Visitor visa, if spouse visa has already been applied. Is that still the case? Or are they giving it easily now?
#3-I've heard read here, that applicants are applying for Open Work Permit for their spouses once they get AOR. But does the education/profession of spouse (being sponsored) matters? Like if someone is teacher in pakistan - they are not going to be able to get a job in teaching. But perhaps some other job. Does that matter in applying for Open Work Permit? And are OWP being given in 4-5 months?
#4-Lastly, is it correct to assume that its taking almost 2 years (in most cases) to bring a Pakistani spouse to Canada on Spouse Visa?
Hello,

1. You can apply for a TRV and Spousal sponsorship as that is considered dual intent and is allowed
2. It is still very difficult to get approval for TRV when applying for spousal sponsorship even though it is allowed- I would say 80-90% are rejected because they do not believe your spouse would go back at the end of the visa. (Had this happen to my wife)
3. I'm not sure about this one.
4. It really depends I'd say but looking at this forum and amongst other web research as well as some family and friends. it can definitely take that long. We are still waiting and applied Jan 4th 2022. Only Medical and Biometrics done- waiting on everything else.
 

M Naeem

Full Member
Aug 11, 2022
20
0
Hey to all
Any one knows how much time LVO take to ask for Passport Request

I have applied in july 2021
Biometric done in dec 2021
Medical done in jan 2022
After that it’s totally silent
Today 22-10–2022
My file is transferred to london vissa office
My medical will expire in January .

Do anyone know about next procedure .?
 

ug1721

Member
Mar 7, 2022
14
1
Category........
FAM
Hi
I stayed in Pakistan for over a year for my marriage. 7 months after marriage. Now back in canada Im looking for a job, meanwhile i have started working part time at walmat. I have citizenship.
now should i apply with that part time walmart job OR should i wait till i get a better job?
Would that part time job have an effect on my eligibility as a sponsor?

kindly guide me
Thanks
 

ug1721

Member
Mar 7, 2022
14
1
Category........
FAM
I was wondering if someone with knowledge or first hand experience in any of the points mentioned below, can guide me:
#1-if a canadian citizen marries in pakistan, should the citizen apply for spouse visa from islamabad (right after marriage) or return back to Canada and apply from Canada? Is that Inland application?
1. I preferred coming back to Canada and then apply. Applying from Pakistan would have made me “not residing in canada” and i thought that might complicate things. Thats why I preferred coming back.
 

Patientlywaiting...

Full Member
Oct 13, 2022
35
22
Hi
I stayed in Pakistan for over a year for my marriage. 7 months after marriage. Now back in canada Im looking for a job, meanwhile i have started working part time at walmat. I have citizenship.
now should i apply with that part time walmart job OR should i wait till i get a better job?
Would that part time job have an effect on my eligibility as a sponsor?

kindly guide me
Thanks
No, for spousal sponsorship they do not factor in your financial standing or job. Your job does not affect eligibility or any other aspect of application like processing time, it is irrelevant. You should get started on the sponsorship application now and submit it ASAP--Completing the application itself involves many steps as there are many sections to complete and you have to compile various things like evidence for your relationship etc. Completing the app is a long process involving great care, because mistakes can also slow down processing of your application. Do not delay, because processing of spousal sponsorship applications for Pakistani applicants have already slowed down since last year and the process is now usually taking at least one year and for many has taken 2 years. Honestly I think you already waited way too long (7 months) to start sponsorship process. You should have submitted your application shortly after your marriage.
 
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Patientlywaiting...

Full Member
Oct 13, 2022
35
22
Any Nov -dec 2021 applicants receive anything after their medical yet?
I know someone who applied in late Dec 2021 and they are still in same stage as me (I applied in early Jan 2022). Both our medicals were passed in June and nothing after that. My guess is that passport requests will come when we get closer to exactly 1 year total processing time, as has been the case with a few other Pakistani applicants I have seen on this forum. But that's my optimistic guess, honestly.
 

Patientlywaiting...

Full Member
Oct 13, 2022
35
22
I was wondering if someone with knowledge or first hand experience in any of the points mentioned below, can guide me:
#1-if a canadian citizen marries in pakistan, should the citizen apply for spouse visa from islamabad (right after marriage) or return back to Canada and apply from Canada? Is that Inland application?
#2-Previously, 4-5 years back, i recall that it was not possible for a Pakistani (or any) spouse to get TRV-Visitor visa, if spouse visa has already been applied. Is that still the case? Or are they giving it easily now?
#3-I've heard read here, that applicants are applying for Open Work Permit for their spouses once they get AOR. But does the education/profession of spouse (being sponsored) matters? Like if someone is teacher in pakistan - they are not going to be able to get a job in teaching. But perhaps some other job. Does that matter in applying for Open Work Permit? And are OWP being given in 4-5 months?
#4-Lastly, is it correct to assume that its taking almost 2 years (in most cases) to bring a Pakistani spouse to Canada on Spouse Visa?
#1: You should apply for spousal sponsorship right after marriage if you can, because the processing time nowadays can take up to 2 years, 1 year if you're lucky. You never know when another war or something happens to slow down processing times again, so do not delay, get that application completed now and submit ASAP. Remember completing the application is also a lengthy process and you have to be careful not to make mistakes to prevent further delays in your app processing time.

Even if you apply for spousal sponsorship while you are in Pakistan, it will still be considered OUTLAND, NOT INLAND (DO NOT MAKE MISTAKE OF SELECTING INLAND WHEN IT DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU AS IT WILL SLOW DOWN YOUR APP PROCESSING TIME). Make sure you are clear on the definitions of all sponsorship terms. Inland applications are for when the Principal Applicant (your spouse whom you are sponsoring) resides with you in Canada.

#2: Don't know about this one, you will have to research that yourself. But what's more important is that you get the spousal sponsorship application started right away. Also, you have to keep in mind that if your spouse somehow gets accepted into Canada on a visitor visa or OWP, that could affect your spousal sponsorship application as then your app will no longer be an outland application and that complication can slow the processing down.

#3: Same answer as 2

#4: Hope for 1 year, expect up to 2 years.
 

Patientlywaiting...

Full Member
Oct 13, 2022
35
22
1. I preferred coming back to Canada and then apply. Applying from Pakistan would have made me “not residing in canada” and i thought that might complicate things. Thats why I preferred coming back.
If you are a citizen, you can still start and submit the sponsorship application while you are in Pakistan. It does not slow anything down or complicate anything, actually it is better because your application will just start getting processed sooner. And it will still be considered an outland application regardless of whether you are staying in Pakistan or Canada. As long as Principal Applicant (spouse whom you are sponsoring) resides in Pakistan and hasn't come to Canada to be with you yet, it is an outland application.
 
Last edited:
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Patientlywaiting...

Full Member
Oct 13, 2022
35
22
Hey to all
Any one knows how much time LVO take to ask for Passport Request

I have applied in july 2021
Biometric done in dec 2021
Medical done in jan 2022
After that it’s totally silent
Today 22-10–2022
My file is transferred to london vissa office
My medical will expire in January .

Do anyone know about next procedure .?
Did you order GCMS notes to see what they have completed with your application? I would order those. Also, you could submit a webform to London Visa Office but honestly I don't think they will reply with anything other than a generic copy paste answer telling you to wait more. But you could try.