There is a two-step process involved in family class applications: & X7 s* P: r( G+ c 8 G# `1 k" g$ z! |; x3 `2 N; z
1. the assessment of the sponsorship application in Canada * q. ~8 q m5 w, i4 x% E 4 s/ T# P! ^! r4 V3 F1 l
2. the assessment of the permanent residence application outside Canada by the visa office. ' N9 l, L% E# O6 f; F8 e* w2 L 5 B. O2 P/ u3 A, G: j+ K2 S
There are separate processing times for each of these two steps.