There is a two-step process involved in family class applications: ' ]# t" V, v- j X3 f
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1. the assessment of the sponsorship application in Canada " h I7 h5 u6 S) x4 [4 n - b7 D4 n0 N3 q$ ?# _. n1 d
2. the assessment of the permanent residence application outside Canada by the visa office. & b0 r# q1 K+ m4 \ v& N ; X/ j# J& u2 |: [) n1 e6 }3 pThere are separate processing times for each of these two steps.