evidence was never returned

[moo48]

Hello everyone - just a quick question.  I was under the impression that the evidence we sent with our application would be returned to us when I was approved as a permanent resident.  I landed on November 3rd of last year, and our evidence was never returned.  I used original pictures, some of which I don't have copies of, which I know was stupid to do, but...  Isn't the evidence usually returned?  Is there something I can do to get it back?

Thanks!

[bloomfield]

I got back all my pictures when I sponsored my wife. It was over 90 pictures and got back all of them.

[scylla]

I didn't get anything back and wasn't expecting to. It's my understanding that Buffalo doesn't return evidence (or rarely returns evidence).

Which visa office did you go through?

[j2m]

I went through Buffalo. I asked when I picked up my COPR. I was told that they do not return evidence unless specifically asked, and she said that even if you ask they may not return it.

[moo48]

Yeah, it was through Buffalo.  I guess I should have asked them before...  It just didn't seem that important with all the stress of putting the application together.  Oh, well.  Thanks everyone.

[jmni1]

I do not think they normally return evidence. I had an interview in Buffalo and at the end of the interview the IO returned the additional evidence I had submitted originally with my application. I assume the only reason I got the orignials back was because I had an interview and my file was at the interview. I assume when you pickup a visa in person your whole file is not availible so even then it is unlikely you would get the proof back.

[canadianwoman]

Yeah, it was through Buffalo.  I guess I should have asked them before...  It just didn't seem that important with all the stress of putting the application together.  Oh, well.  Thanks everyone.

Write them a letter and ask for it. They still may not send your photos back, but it won't hurt to try. I didn't get my photos back until I actually wrote and asked for them.