There is a two-step process involved in family class applications: 4 h0 M. w9 ^1 H& r 0 u( u* h- h. r$ @8 o7 x& E1. the assessment of the sponsorship application in Canada + t% y* O! V$ k5 y ( |: p. o, P. ]! m6 ?+ ]2 E, u( T. ^( e2. the assessment of the permanent residence application outside Canada by the visa office. ; B; {3 F; ?! j# \& f5 |5 m 8 u/ {0 ?7 L+ m) x5 m2 A9 sThere are separate processing times for each of these two steps.