Processing Times: Family Sponsorship
This information is updated weekly (step 1) and quarterly (step 2) and shows the time it takes to process an application after we receive a complete application package.
There are two steps in processing family sponsorship applications. In order to know the total approximate time it may take for your application to be processed, ADD the time in step 1 to the time in step 2 (the two steps are consecutive).
Last update: February 15, 2012
| Type of application | Step 1 Assessment of Sponsor |
Step 2 Assessment of Person Being Sponsored (applicant) (The Call Centre does not have processing times for step 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse, common‑law partner or dependent child | 53 days (working on applications received on December 22, 2011) |
|
| Parents and grandparents | 53 months (working on applications received on September 11, 2007) |
|
Issuing acknowledgement letters for applications received on April 29, 2011 |
||
| Adopted children, children to be adopted, orphans and other family classes | Processed daily on a priority basis |
|
| Type of sponsorship application | Step 1 — Assessment of sponsor and person being sponsored | Step 2 — Medical, security, background checks and other verifications for person being sponsored |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse, common-law partner in Canada | 11-12 months (working on applications received on February 19, 2011) |
8 months |
Notes
- For sponsorship OUTSIDE of Canada
- For Step 1: If you live inside Canada and it has been longer than the time shown above since you applied, please contact the Call Centre.
- For Step 2: If you have questions about Step 2, you must contact the appropriate visa office. Call Centre agents cannot answer questions about Step 2.
- For sponsorship INSIDE of Canada
- If you live inside Canada and it has been longer than the time shown above since you applied, please contact the Call Centre.
- Call Centre agents cannot speed up the process of your application or make decisions on your case.
- The processing times are calculated in calendar days.