The time line for immigration to Canada differ from where you live and where you apply. Had I applied from the US while living there I would have had to send my application to Buffalo and it is now taking 18 to 24 months to have it processed there. We chose to move to Canada first then apply as "In country".( That is why she could not travel out of Canada) The whole process took 10 months from the day we sent in the application in June 06 to my wife getting her
PR status in April 07 and was able to start to work.
Hire a lawyer to do the paperwork it cost about $1200 for all of the paperwork and we just came in to to sign papers and answer a few questions.
PM me and I will send you the name of the Lawyer close to YIP