what next after applying?

[doctorkb]

First of all, let me just say that I find the processing time for the Parents & Grandparents and Dependent Children categories of Family Class sponsorship atrocious. As long as Spouses & Partners can take to process, who made the decision that it was more important to reunite newlyweds than children with their grandparents or parents? In fact it embarasses and shames me that my PR can go through so comparatively quickly, when I go on Trackit and see a spreadsheet that has the column for processing time in quadruple digits for these cases.

I didn't realize that it's not just the PR part that takes forever for these categories, but the sponsorship from Mississauga too. But you know what? I still say good for those people who had to endure hardships in Iraq. And I feel the need to point out - just because the media has proclaimed a conflict over (I don't think they ever said the country was "freed" though), does not mean that life has instantaneously reverted to rainbows and lollipops for the populace. The media and the public attention just moves on to something else, same as it did with the U.S. Gulf Coast and with Haiti, but do you think people stopped suffering there? Anyway, the fact is, Iraqis are not in the same position as those who can at least wait in relative safety and leisure for their chance to join their families in Canada. At least they're making it easier on someone. I wish they would make it easier for a whole lot of other people too.

Anyway, I hope you don't take this response the wrong way, just felt the need to share my feelings on the issue

I didn't take offense to this, don't worry.

I think we disagree on this principle, though. For a Canadian to sponsor his/her spouse should practically be an instantaneous thing: as long as the sponsored individual is not a threat to the Canadian public or national security, nor will they tax the social systems (e.g. Welfare) (theoretically, the same criteria as a visitor has to meet), they should be handed PR on the spot. None of this multi-month processing, especially when we're talking about a visa-exempt country like the United States.

On the other hand, parents (and grandparents, especially) will most certainly tax the system as they age and require more healthcare and are unlikely to contribute to the financial side of the social structure in Canada. I think it's fair to prolong their granting of permanent residency, even to the point of a minimum 5-year "cooling off period." That's not to say they shouldn't be given visitor visas and temporary work permits, just that they should not be allowed to take advantage of the social systems for at least 5 years.

As for the situation in Iraq: I believe that the general gist is that the country has been freed from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. Perhaps life isn't rosy there. But I look to places like China, North Korea and most of the developing nations in Africa and see individuals who live in daily threat of their lives. Do they not warrant the same special treatment? Obviously, if we opened up the doors like that, we'd have such a huge influx of new blood, you'd hardly recognize this country.

Please understand: I have nothing against immigrants -- my wife is one. I do have a problem with people coming here expecting it to be all rosy, then the rose-coloured glasses fade and they're left taking advantage of what my grandparents, parents and I have worked to build for all our lives.

 

[lastnn30]

I didn't take offense to this, don't worry.


As for the situation in Iraq: I believe that the general gist is that the country has been freed from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. Perhaps life isn't rosy there. But I look to places like China, North Korea and most of the developing nations in Africa and see individuals who live in daily threat of their lives. Do they not warrant the same special treatment? Obviously, if we opened up the doors like that, we'd have such a huge influx of new blood, you'd hardly recognize this country.

I would not try to bring my sisters and my mother to Canada if they were living in China or N Korea. It is all about living in peace with dignity.
I start sense that you are prejudice but I hope I am wrong. One more eye/mind opening point that you need to know, i suffered a lot from Saddam Hussein, who was supported by the west that you think freed Iraq, but now i believe country in chaos is the worst thing that can happen to any country, even worse than any dictatorship. I hope you will go one day to Iraq to see what is going on to make the right judgment not a prejudice one!!