On or after December 15, 2016, most spousal visa applications submitted in and outside Canada will be processed within 12 months, instead of the current average of 24 months, according to the Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Additional streamlining of the application process will include the following changes:
One application kit (applicants will no longer have to choose between two kits depending on whether they live in or outside Canada);