was told today it would take 30+ months for my US spouse to come here?

[bunny82]

Hello everyone. I am really stressed out right now. I just got married to my US spouse over a week ago, under the assumption from the forums and also other immigration consultants, that it can take about 6-12 months for my American husband to come here to Canada (Nova Scotia) with an Outland application. I was told today on the phone by an immigration consultant that it takes very long for American spouses. She said it goes thru Ottawa first and then after that, his portion goes thru either New York or Los Angeles, and the whole thing can take up to 35 months. That is 3 years! I have never heard of this before. She told me it is on the website. And this is for Outland, not Inland. Could someone please explain to me how this is and if she is correct? How long is it taking on average for American spouses to get in to Canada thru Outland applications from start to finish? Thank you.

 

[JandAtoC]

Hi Bunny,

I'm not believing that to be true. If you look at the timeline of people on the forum the average processing time is 8-10 months. It's my understanding that American applications are being processed through Ottawa only. The New York and LA offices are listed only if interviews are required.

 

[bethanycupcakes]

I'd love to shed what light on this if I can.

I was under the same impression too. I'm American, husband is Canadian (BC). When I applies all the tables said 26-35 months. I was devastated. I couldn't wait this long to be with my husband.

BUT, ALAS! If you're doing spousal sponsorship, you first send your applications to Mississauga, then they will actually transfer it to Ottawa, which is the Central Case Processing Center for Canada BUT ALSO U.S. Applications! The current wait time is about 2 months for the sponsor, but then 15 months for the PA (principle applicant) HOWEVER, I applied in September, and I just got my PR, so that's about 9 months instead of the dreaded 30.

They will tell you after the sponsor has been approved which office they sent your spouses applications to, and chances are it will be Ottawa, so your wait may be only 8-10 months in total

Hope that's helps! Good luck!

 

[Ponga]

Totally wrong! The consultant should find a new line of work.

Start here:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/us-outland-applicants-thread-t106068.0.html

Most Americans are getting through the entire process in less than 10 months, since they are processed in Ottawa. Usually, only those with red flags, such as issues regarding criminality or questionable relationships with their sponsor are then processed in LA. While anything is possible, with CIC, rest assured that the overwhelming majority are processed entirely in Canada.

AND...your spouse can even come to Canada NOW to `visit' you, while the Outland application is processing. If the automatic 6 months stay (unless told otherwise by the CBSA Officer) isn't long enough, simply apply for an extention online. It's surporisingly easy to do!

 

[Evadyrrehs]

What Ponga said 8)

bunny, just look at the stats on my profile for time frame.. I live just outside of Moncton NB and my wife lived in Chicago USA.. She was able to be here during the whole Outland sponsorship process thankfully.. When we applied it was thought that 4-6 months should do it but that time increased to approx 8-10 months total for most US/Canada applicants with no red flags or anything.. Many of the 2015 people are being processed now before 2014 people that are still waiting (totally sucks btw) You will in no way see 35 months unless you have a really messed up application with tons of red flags and went and applied inland or something.. It's all good! 8)

Go read some of the outland threads and see how long it has been taking for US/Canada couples We were just under 9 months total which is 3+ months longer than we anticipated at the start, but we'll take it! ;D

 

[bunny82]

Thank you, I really appreciate it! Because this just scared the crap out of me, and now I am feeling some relief. The thought of being separated from your husband for 3 years is horrible. He cannot come here because he would need to work so we have enough money, so we gotta wait it out until he is accepted, so there will just be some little visits inbetween but no long stays. Do you guys know if anything was changed and American applications are now going thru NY or LA? Because she was very sure of this. I really hope nothing has changed and that applications are still going thru Ottawa for US applicants. We won't be able to apply until late August/early September, once we have all of our papers etc. After reading your replies, hopefully I can be rest assured that the process will take 8-10 months.

 

[Evadyrrehs]

Thank you, I really appreciate it! Because this just scared the crap out of me, and now I am feeling some relief. The thought of being separated from your husband for 3 years is horrible. He cannot come here because he would need to work so we have enough money, so we gotta wait it out until he is accepted, so there will just be some little visits inbetween but no long stays. Do you guys know if anything was changed and American applications are now going thru NY or LA? Because she was very sure of this. I really hope nothing has changed and that applications are still going thru Ottawa for US applicants. We won't be able to apply until late August/early September, once we have all of our papers etc. After reading your replies, hopefully I can be rest assured that the process will take 8-10 months.

LA is only if you they require a interview, there is no more NY option I believe so LA it would be.. The chances of a US/Canadian couple being flagged for an interview are very very slim.. We were worried about that because I am 19 years older than my wife and I thought for sure we'd get flagged, nope didn't happen! If you read the January 2015 Outland thread I believe there are a couple there that have been processed already.. So that's what 5 months! We have some from Sept 2014 Outland still waiting that are approaching the 10 month mark now, and MariaC just got her DM today finally after they lost her FBI check and a bunch of her application..

I would be prepared for about a 12 month process and hope for much much less.

 

[bunny82]

So I wonder if that is why she said this, because she assumes he will have an interview? I didn't think that even with an interview though, that it would increase the amount of processing time so dramatically. Hopefully he won't have to be interviewed. She did say that the US applications go thru those US offices, so it still kinda scares me, makes me think maybe things have changed and applications for US applicants are now going thru LA?

 

[Evadyrrehs]

So I wonder if that is why she said this, because she assumes he will have an interview? I didn't think that even with an interview though, that it would increase the amount of processing time so dramatically. Hopefully he won't have to be interviewed. She did say that the US applications go thru those US offices, so it still kinda scares me, makes me think maybe things have changed and applications for US applicants are now going thru LA?

You should forget everything this person told you.. If you are interviewed yes it will go through LA .. All US/Canada apps start out in Mississauga Ontario and then are forwarded after Sponsorship Approval (SA) to Ottawa.. When browsing the forums you need to just concern yourself with all those that are being processed at the Ottawa VO, as that applies to you also 8) The chances of your application being forwarded to LA for an interview is very slim.. You should forget about the anxiety of that ever happening for now 8)

 

[bigredmoose]

Forget everything this person told you. Even if they told you that 1+1=2, I'd suggest double checking with a calculator, knowmsayin'?

 

[bunny82]

Hehe, ok guys, thank you!

 

[bunny82]

Just heard back from the same lady, she showed me the chart online (cannot attach link because it is within my email) and said that it takes 16 months for processing in Ottawa. I assume these are extreme-case estimates.

 

[bigredmoose]

Not quite. CIC wait times represent how long it took to process 80% of applicants. If 79% take 4 months but the next 1% take 4 years, they will post 4 years. Your most reliable indicator are the people on this forum who are going through the same VO, you'll get a better real-world idea from them.

 

[Evadyrrehs]

Just heard back from the same lady, she showed me the chart online (cannot attach link because it is within my email) and said that it takes 16 months for processing in Ottawa. I assume these are extreme-case estimates.

Just look around at some US/Canada couples here.. Most all are Ottawa VO and well under 16 months.. My wife and I were 8.5 months and we're still reeling over the fact that we are finally done now. Still feels surreal lol..

Are you going to do the application yourselves? You can you know and save big bucks.. With the help of this forum it's no problem to do the app yourselves 8)

 

[canadianwoman]

OK, first, do not hire this consultant. She does not know what she is talking about. If she cannot handle a simple American/Canadian spousal application, I shudder to think what she is telling people from 'difficult' countries.

Very few sponsorships go through LA - those that need an interview and have some kind of problem, like a criminal past. The average US sponsorship does not go through LA and is done within a year, usually.