Moscow Application Processing Office

[frolic]

You should have called and reminded me.  I was off work too.  Damn. 

Any activity is good new Don...remember that.  At least you know they are moving it along, even if slowly.  :/ 

In our app I found a few things repeated near the end...like the letter for our son to leave the country without the father was asked for again for example. 

[Lionsher]

Any news dear Moscow VO applicants? best

[Anna_sol]

My hubby got THE e-mail on Jan 11 - request for passport

[Anna_sol]

Here is my little story...
I got approved for sponsorship on September 27.
On October 11 ECAS showed 'medical results received'.
From that point i was waiting for AOR letter but i never got one. So when i saw that ecas changed to IN PROCESS on 12.12.2011 I was in shock  
I tried not to get myself and my husband too excited because i knew it is still a long way to go.
But i got lucky (we got lucky  ), just in a month he received an email 'request for passport' on Jan 11 2012.
And now my hubby is actually on his way to Pony Express to get his passport:D

So in my case Moscow worked pretty well. They didn't ask for any extra documents and my husband didn't have an interview. It took only 3 months for us to get the visa. I reallly don't know why it went so fast...
I wish you all LUCK AND PATIENCE. I hope you will be with your loved ones very soon.

[boshetunmai]

I'm new to the forums but also a Moscow applicant - my case is on Trackitt. Got the AOR in November but no other news since. Ordered CAIPS notes a few days ago.

update: was browsing through older posts in this thread about address disappearing in e-CAS. went to check and... address also disappeared

[Donhollio]

 Anna that is very surprising it was done so fast, you both got lucky. I'm into my 14th month with no end in sight.  

I'm new to the forums but also a Moscow applicant - my case is on Trackitt. Got the AOR in November but no other news since. Ordered CAIPS notes a few days ago.

 I ordered that CRAPS thing as well. It took them over two months to tell me they needed a thirty day extension. About two more months passed and they sent me another letter saying they couldn't process my app do to some bullship, I think they wanted me to fill out another form as I made some error. Here's what I did before they sent me any letter, I went to my MP's office and had them look to see where my sponsorship was at. I had an answer in two weeks, no cost at all. Personally I'm bracing for a 24 month processing time.  

 My MP rep also told me to ignore those CIC website timelines as they are all so far from the reality that it is not something to go by.  I believe it as I know two CDN's who sponsored their spouses and one took 15 months and the other took 18 months. To further support the outdated claims, the one guy told me his wife's webpage says it's still being processed, well after the three months had elapsed since her arrival.

[boshetunmai]

Hi donhollio,

Wow, that really sucks. Looks like we'll be playing the waiting game together - although it must be so much tougher for you. Did you ever get your CAIPS notes? You mentioned that they recently requested additional documents - that's probably a good sign. You might want to try ordering the notes again and hopefully they will be quicker this time around.

I'm also following the Russian forums, they've got a spreadsheet going here (won't let me post a link): h t t p s : / / docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AoX6mUVoEWDCdEw4SGdWa3FJTTVoUzBMbHRlanFnakE#gid=0

[Peaceofmind25]

Hello

If you could answer few questions of mine I'd really appreciate it.

I've applied from Canada in September 2011....got my application accepted as a sponsor on December 7, 2011 and was told my application was forwarded to the Moscow office. I've visited my spouse since then and sent them updated info etc for the case....to show proof of our relationship.

They emailed saying they will contact for further steps if necessary.

Question 1.  My spouse did his exam in August 2011.....are they going to ask him to do it all over again? ( i heard the exam is valid only for 6 months is this true?

Question 2. Are they going to call him for an interview to Moscow or is this dependent on the type of case?

Question 3. I am planning on moving to live with my husband until he gets his paperwork so that we can move back to Canada.....do I need to notify CIC or is this okay?

Thank you so much!

[boshetunmai]

Hi Peaceofmind25,

1. I believe the medical results are good for one year. If the results are almost expiring and they are not done processing your case, they will request another medical exam. (We did our medicals too early - in May and we applied in August, so i'm hoping they hurry)

2. Not everyone gets called to an interview, but if he were to be called, it would be to Moscow. They usually call the applicant to the interview if the visa officer has any questions or concerns about the nature of the relationship.

3. I'm not 100% sure about this one. I think it would be a good idea to let them know, and update your mailing address as necessary. It would even serve as additional proof of your relationship.

[Donhollio]

Hello

If you could answer few questions of mine I'd really appreciate it.

I've applied from Canada in September 2011....got my application accepted as a sponsor on December 7, 2011 and was told my application was forwarded to the Moscow office. I've visited my spouse since then and sent them updated info etc for the case....to show proof of our relationship.

They emailed saying they will contact for further steps if necessary.

Question 1.  My spouse did his exam in August 2011.....are they going to ask him to do it all over again? ( i heard the exam is valid only for 6 months is this true?

Question 2. Are they going to call him for an interview to Moscow or is this dependent on the type of case?

Question 3. I am planning on moving to live with my husband until he gets his paperwork so that we can move back to Canada.....do I need to notify CIC or is this okay?

Thank you so much!

 #1 The medical is valid for 12 months.

#2 They will call for a  interview if they feel your relationship is not genuine, and this will be based on what info you have provided.

#3 The two cases I mentioned above were both processed from the Embassy in Moscow. So you could be there for 12 months or more. If they ask for your tax records T4 or a Notice of Assessment, and can't give them any you may have to return to Canada without your sponsor, get a job and after one tax year  they will than be allowed in.  I know of this happening to one guy, however he was in Russia for more than a few years. So I would call up the CIC hotline and ask them. Than the next day I would call again and get some idea if the two call centre peoples answers match.

[Donhollio]

Hi donhollio,

Wow, that really sucks. Looks like we'll be playing the waiting game together - although it must be so much tougher for you. Did you ever get your CAIPS notes? You mentioned that they recently requested additional documents - that's probably a good sign. You might want to try ordering the notes again and hopefully they will be quicker this time around.

I'm also following the Russian forums, they've got a spreadsheet going here (won't let me post a link): h t t p s : / / docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AoX6mUVoEWDCdEw4SGdWa3FJTTVoUzBMbHRlanFnakE#gid=0

 I never bothered to finish reading the letter they sent me after 4 months of me first applying.I got as far as you ''didn't fill in some area on the form.'' I made an appointment with my MP's office, and I had my answer in 15 minutes. So I'd recommend skipping the stupid CAIPS or CRAPS, save your $5, and just have the office staff call up CIC and ask them, yeah it's that easy.

 I guess I could share some news, the MP told me that they have sent my girl another request for a medical, this is usually done after it expires,or all the processing has been done.  All I know is that the medical takes 3 months to process.... what a system. 

[boshetunmai]

I guess it really depends on your MP. I contacted my MP's office after my husband was refused for a visitor visa, and they were not helpful at all - they even told me that you could not get a visitor visa while in the sponsorship process, which isn't true.

[Donhollio]

  Ask if they they have a immigration specialist working in the office. I have noticed they always seem to have different people working in the office the times I have dropped in. It's possible you just got some dolt who doesn't know anything about the sponsorship process. If you still get nowhere I'd write your MP directly in Ottawa.

[boshetunmai]

Yeah I definitely got some dolt :p Might try my other MP's office where I'm actually registered (I spend my time between two different cities). Question though, if I get my MP to make a request on my file status, will it delay processing? Just cause they say that answering emails takes time away from processing your application...

[Donhollio]

As far as I'm aware no it won't delay. they're basically going to the CAIRS thingy without all the paperwork. One thing I need to add about my case is that during my last visit,I'm not so sure I had an accurate answer. The first time I went it took almost two weeks. The second time it took minutes, and so far she has not recieved any of the info I was told was sent out days before. I dunno, it's a dumb dumb system we have to deal with.