Dear All,

Given that processing times are getting worse by the month for this class, it is important that we exert pressure on the concerned authorities about speeding up the parent sponsorship process. I recently sent off the following letter to the Immigration reporter of the Toronto Star. You can use this letter and adapt it and dash it off to whoever may be able to make a difference , in this matter.

All the Best

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Mr/Ms. ......

As you may be aware, parental sponsorship is a two step process. In the first step, the sponsor sends in the application to the Case Processing Center in Mississauga which scrutinises the application and approves/disapproves it based on the income criteria. It is then sent to the Canadian consulate in sponsored person's country of residence where they undergo medicals, provide police clearance and other documentation before a permanent residence visa is issued.

According to the latest information posted on the CIC website, the first step is taking 26 months and the second step could take anywhere between 6 months to 3 years, depending on the country in which the sponsor lives. On an average, the whole process takes around 3-4 years which is pretty long in the first place. It is preposterous that CIC charges you the application fees upfront (around $1000 per applicant) and sits on your application for 2 years before giving you the go-ahead. Also, there has been a disturbing trend noticed for parental applications since Dianne Finley announced changes to the system. Not only has the processing time for this class slowed down drastically, the weekly update to the current processing date shows the date going backwards. A couple of weeks back the date was Aug 16th 2006. Last week, it was Aug 11th and this week it has stayed at Aug 11.

There is a widespread feeling in immigrant communities that CIC is not serious about maintaining a reasonable processing time for parental sponsorship and is hoping that by the time the parents get to the stage of taking their medical exams, they either lose their health and do not pass the examinations or get frustrated by the whole process of waiting for their turn and give up before that time.

I think that this is an important issue that should be highlighted in your dealings with CIC. The family unit is very strong among immigrant communities and they want to enjoy the warmth of their parent's company during their sunset years and foster bonds with their own kids. Also, with grand-parents at home, both spouses are able to work and this increases the overall family income.

We just hope that CIC is serious about keeping their promise of "family reunification" in deeds and not in words.

Regards,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Remarkable jump in the in canada processing time for parent sponsorship. Think they will maintain the speed?

Quote:

---

Originally posted by sht

Remarkable jump in the in canada processing time for parent sponsorship. Think they will maintain the speed?

---

Quote:

---

CIC has pretty much maintained it steady for the last 3 years (since 2005) i.e. in the last 3 years the wait time in Canada has been pretty much steady at 26 months.

Trinity

---

Hello All,

I am curious to know in parental sponsorship what if parents who are in their late sixties have health issues like BP, Sugar and Asthama, Is this could be reason for rejection as these health issues are common at this age. However they dont have any contagious diseases which can cause problem to society and have excessive burden on the govt. And in case if it gets rejeted on health grounds is there a possibility to appeal on humanitarian grounds.

Please advise.

I know it is all conjecture on our part. We sent sponsorship appl for my MIL in June '06, so we have many more months wait before we can expect any response. Still I can't help checking on the processing times. I know I shouldn't for at least another year! However, feel very happy when I see a post proclaiming yet another cd's parents have recd their visas

Quote:

---

Originally posted by santosh1478

Hello All,

I am curious to know in parental sponsorship what if parents who are in their late sixties have health issues like BP, Sugar and Asthama, Is this could be reason for rejection as these health issues are common at this age. However they dont have any contagious diseases which can cause problem to society and have excessive burden on the govt. And in case if it gets rejeted on health grounds is there a possibility to appeal on humanitarian grounds.

Please advise.

---