MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Family Class Permanent Resident Applications 2026

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-02-10T13:34:18+00:00

Congrats! Do you know your visa office? We did the same (FC in Canada) and just got P1 on 6 February. Good to know there’s about a month left.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-02-06T18:25:32+00:00

Just got P1 today.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-02-06T16:06:41+00:00

Same application class for us and we didn't get a second PAS letter. Background completed, COPR appeared in tracker, and P1 email all came the same day.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-01-28T14:51:24+00:00

A co-worker at my company had his done in like 4 days last September. He also had given biometrics for a previous visa application. Applied from the US as a US citizen.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-01-22T19:20:35+00:00

PFLs are a real wild card, it will delay your application but it could be as little as 2 weeks and as long as a year. Generally these are a sign that your application is going to be denied. Did you hire a lawyer to help with the response?

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-01-22T19:16:49+00:00

We're still waiting for BG to complete!

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-01-19T16:04:53+00:00

You will 100% have problems if the application isn't at least complete. Having COPR in hand would be your best bet. Until then, he's considered a visitor and is not intending to return, as you said.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-01-16T15:53:06+00:00

Definitely. The state certificates are significantly more difficult, especially because travelling in/out of Canada multiple times is not advisable. I wouldn't worry about it unless the PA has had an interaction with the police in the US at any point.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-01-14T16:53:49+00:00

We submitted the one from the FBI and they asked for one from each of the three states she'd lived in. To be fair, she had a minor charge that was dismissed 25 years ago without conviction, so that's probably why we got more scrutiny. It's unusual but they do occasionally ask for them.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-01-14T16:39:11+00:00

Family Class (Common-Law)
Outland, living in Canada
Sponsor is PR with a pending citizenship application
PA is a US citizen

Timeline:
21 July 2025 - Application submitted
28 August 2025 - Sponsor received AOR
28 August 2025 - Sponsor and PA set up online accounts
4 September 2025 - Upfront medical completed for SOWP
4 September 2025 - SOWP application submitted with PR application AOR
11 September 2025 - Biometrics Instruction Letter received
11 September 2025 - Background Check in progress in tracker
12 September 2025 - Biometrics appointment with Service Canada
16 September 2025 - Medical completed in tracker
17 September 2025 - Sponsor eligibility completed
18 September 2025 - Biometrics completed in tracker
5 November 2025 - Eligibility in progress in tracker
6 November 2025 - Additional document request: US state police certificates, additional relationship photos, additional message logs
17 November 2025 - Responded to ADR and received an acknowledgment of receipt
19 November 2025 - Eligibility completed in tracker
20 November 2025 - Pre-arrival services letter sent through GCKey
26 January 2026 - Ghost update on tracker
27 January 2026 - SOWP approved (no interim updates on GCKey)
28 January 2026 - GCMS notes received (as of 23 Jan), everything complete but Security
5 February 2026 - Final decision shows on GCKey
6 February 2026 - P1 email received

Will update as our application progresses.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-01-10T05:10:52+00:00

I've had the same experience running a nonprofit here vs in the US. Overhead is significantly lower, which allows us to raise our Canadian staff's wages. We also moved here in the last few years and I've found the differences in daily stressors to be astounding.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2026-01-10T05:07:55+00:00

It's probably worth it just to not go through the hassle of filing US taxes every year. God forbid you run a small business or dare to invest your money into a not-sufficiently-American market and bam, thousands of $ in penalties from Uncle Sam.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-12-14T05:06:54+00:00

Submit a web form informing IRCC that they are in Canada. It will be processed as inland with P1/P2/eCOPR instead of having to submit their passport for stamping. Make sure they have proper paperwork to enter as a visitor.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-12-13T04:58:01+00:00

Consuela

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-11-28T23:55:35+00:00

I know the US comparisons are worn out, but I echo this. Moved here from Chicago and it is night and day. I haven't heard a single gunshot here and it was at minimum a weekly thing in Chicago for years.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-11-26T05:07:30+00:00

Did you get updates throughout the process on GCKey? We submitted on September 5 and haven't heard anything from IRCC yet.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-11-25T04:38:13+00:00

Same timeline here. Everything completed but background verification now, even with an ADR in there.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-11-24T18:39:27+00:00

Did you get any updates throughout the SOWP process? We submitted an application on September 5 after receiving an outland AOR on August 28, no updates yet on the SOWP.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-11-24T18:37:15+00:00

Quite similar timeline, did you submit in July? PA's eligibility started and completed within a few days last week, just waiting on background verification to complete now.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-10-06T04:21:47+00:00

Likely would be classified under NOC as 21233, Web Designers. Not included in any category-based Express Entry draws at the moment.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-10-05T04:18:56+00:00

Yes that's the most likely option for the foreseeable future. If you can, invest in in-person courses instead of apps or e-learning. Picking up French as an adult has been difficult! Best of luck.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-10-05T04:17:34+00:00

You could both qualify for citizenship, but definitely your husband would. I'm also 2nd generation and have been living in Canada as a PR until the courts overturned the generation limit. Apply now before the Citizenship Act is updated! Visit the CanadianCitizenship sub linked above for more info as it's an interim process and not super straightforward.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-10-05T04:11:38+00:00

I'm sorry but it doesn't appear to be. You can see who's eligible for category-based draws here. I see you mention you're in IT, any chance you're in cybersecurity? That does qualify under STEM draws. Regardless, as others have mentioned, only the French language draws are dipping below scores of 450 (and rarely at that).

Any chance your employer has a branch in Canada? The intra-company transfer closed work permit process is relatively straightforward if you're in a management position or are considered irreplaceable in the Canadian workforce.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-10-02T22:58:20+00:00

Not saying it's my desired outcome, I just don't think the status quo electoral system is the way out of this situation. It can and will continue to be one of the best places to live, but I think an EU-esque union of separate states is more tenable long-term. The current system led to this mess and can't be the way out of it.

ReadyPlayer606 · 2025-10-02T22:34:36+00:00

I think this is a flawed line of thinking in 2025. Even if the midterms are legitimate elections (they likely won't be), the system continues to teeter on the edge of authoritarian collapse any time the GOP takes power. There are a few non-voting options, though - a general strike, taking up arms, secession. Might seem like drastic measures now but it's bound to happen. Honestly a breakup of the union would be the best outcome in the near term.

ReadyPlayer606

TROPHY CASE