88 days doesn't start until they open the application?

[Fencesitter]

I just called the call center and the agent I spoke to told me that the 88 days starts from the time the officer begins processing the application and NOT from the date CIC received the application in the mail room.

I think I've read here that the 88 days starts from the date the application was received.

So I am getting two very different answers. I asked a few times to confirm with the agent, and she assured me that the 88 days starts once the application has been opened by the officer. I asked her how long it typically takes for the visa officer to approve a straightforward sponsorship and she said about 60 days. I told her I had read on numerous websites that it only takes about 1-3 days, but she insisted it was impossible and that it is normally about 60 days.

Confused...not stressed...just confused...

She also said they contact CRA to verify information, yet when I spoke to CRA, they said they never contact them...again, confused.

FS

 

[mc1234]

If thats the case, is there anyway of knowing when they opened our applications?

 

[smokijoe]

The 88 days starts from the day your application reaches CIC -M.
Maybe they open the applications as soon as they reach CIC-M.

 

[scylla]

The 88 days starts from the day your application reaches CIC -M.
Maybe they open the applications as soon as they reach CIC-M.

Agreed. 88 days starts from when the application is received (not opened).

 

[Fencesitter]

She also said they contact CRA to verify information, yet when I spoke to CRA, they said they never contact them...again, confused.

 

[mc1234]

If they are working from applications from Jan 19th lets say, and it was updated last April 18th.. wouldn't that be 91 days?? Which is roughly around the 88 days they are saying it takes to get sponsorship approval.. So I think its the day it gets to CIC (unopened)

 

[Fencesitter]

Agreed. 88 days starts from when the application is received (not opened).

How do you know that? She was emphatic about it...

 

[Fencesitter]

Another thing she told me that through me was that I might need to get a police clearance from the RCMP. She said it's a possibility. I never saw anything about that in the guide.

It seems that no one from the Canadian government can provide definitive answers...

FS

 

[mc1234]

Why would any sponsor need that? Police reports are for the sponsored spouse only. I would take what she told you with a grain of salt.

Hopefully they update their website this week and amount of days for sponsorship approval drops.

 

[Fencesitter]

That's what I asked...she repeated that it might be a possibility.

The CRA thing also confused me...from what CRA told me, they would not give out any information to CIC due to the privacy act...but the call center agent said they will contact CRA to verify information. I told her that would be impossible because CRA does not have the authority to release my information...she repeated it's a possibility.

FS

 

[mc1234]

That's what I asked...she repeated that it might be a possibility.

The CRA thing also confused me...from what CRA told me, they would not give out any information to CIC due to the privacy act...but the call center agent said they will contact CRA to verify information. I told her that would be impossible because CRA does not have the authority to release my information...she repeated it's a possibility.

FS

IMO dont take what she said too seriously.. I have found that although some people over the phone have been helpful, a lot havent been. How long has it been since your application reached Mississauga?

 

[Fencesitter]

11 days.

I know...pretty early to call, but I had a few other questions to ask...I threw in the processing times to get an idea of when we might get the approval...seems like she gave me misinformation...

FS

 

[mc1234]

11 days.

I know...pretty early to call, but I had a few other questions to ask...I threw in the processing times to get an idea of when we might get the approval...seems like she gave me misinformation...

FS

Honestly with CIC you truly never know since all cases are so different and unique I think its very hard to give designated rules to everyone. Even the processing times on the website, Its not always consistant. Two weeks from now the processing times for sponsorship may go down to 60 days, so you never know! The waiting sucks, but just feel confident in the application you gave them and hope for the best from there. Thats all you really can do.

 

[cms418]

11 days.

I know...pretty early to call, but I had a few other questions to ask...I threw in the processing times to get an idea of when we might get the approval...seems like she gave me misinformation...

FS

You are looking at about 60 days from the time they receive it. Just went through this..they received it on nov16 and I was approved Jan 15

 

[mc1234]

You are looking at about 60 days from the time they receive it. Just went through this..they received it on nov16 and I was approved Jan 15

CMS, what was the processing time for sponsor approval at the time you submitted your application?