Spousal Sponsorship approval – Why you shouldn’t despair over processing times
Having practiced Canadian immigration law for almost 10 years now, I have prepared and submitted hundreds of spousal sponsorship applications for my clients. I have had clients from all over the world and have dealt with Canadian Embassies and High Commissions of Canada from all parts of the world.
I decided to write this article for my current clients as well as for my new clients as I have realized that almost every single one of my spousal sponsorship cases triggers the same questions and fears at a certain point during the processing of the spousal sponsorship application.
When clients first consult with me with respect to sponsorship their spouses, a lot of key information is provided during the consultation about the procedures and processes of the spousal sponsorship application. I always advise my clients that it is crucial to prepare and submit a strong and complete application in order to first, avoid a refusal and second, avoid unnecessary back and forths with immigration due to incomplete or missing information and documentation and decrease the processing times. I also always advise clients that the processing times posted on the CIC website, although regular led updated by CIC, are merely approximations and the processing times can very well be longer or shorter. Further, I advise clients of what my experience has been with respect to a specific region given that I have submitted hundreds of applications and can provide strong facts with respect to how long an application will most likely take.
When I first start working with clients, the understand of the approximation of processing times generally sits well and it is understood. However, I have noticed a trend in my spousal clients whereas a few months after filing the application, calls and emails are sent to our office asking us “when will the sponsor be approved?”, “Why haven’t we heard anything from CPC-Mississauga?”, “But it says 61 days online?”, “When can my wife come to Canada?”
