There is a two-step process involved in family class applications: 8 z' I; k) y5 M( K 2 j9 d. U& g0 f$ \. k6 g
1. the assessment of the sponsorship application in Canada - Q& W8 a" r$ f. E T( U% k" ?# I8 J' j- S2. the assessment of the permanent residence application outside Canada by the visa office. / @% J; O6 ?6 P7 w
$ ^) ? H& \6 IThere are separate processing times for each of these two steps.