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Home > Application processing times > Processing Times: Family Sponsorship
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Proactive Disclosure
Proactive Disclosure
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: June 8, 2011
Person to be sponsored lives outside of Canada 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
42 days
(working on applications received on May 5, 2011)
View by country
Status available online
Parents and grandparents
44 months
(working on applications received on September 7, 2007)
View by country
Status available online
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
View by country
Status available online
Person to be sponsored lives in Canada 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
9-10 months
(initial assessment)
(working on applications received on August 22, 2010)
9 months
Status available online
Notes
If you live inside Canada and if 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.