Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[podkayne8]

Our application status changed to in progress with the note that they started to process my husbands file on may 11!!!

Small step forward...by we'll take it!

Wahoo! Great news! Your news made me check mine, and mine says the exact same thing! Maybe you were transferred to Seattle too? lol Either way yay for In Process!

[GOGOGO]

If you fly from Ireland to US then to Canada, then technically in that trip you have not overstayed in Canada (you haven't enter Canada yet).  You should tell US immigration that you just arrived from Ireland and have a connecting flight to Canada.  You would not want to reveal all your history to them.

Once you're in Canada, please try not to overstay again.  If needed, you can apply to extend your visitor status before it expires, either online or by mail.

GCMS take 30 days and you can request it to send to your email address so even you're back in Ireland you still can see it.  It costs nothing when you're present in Canada, or you may be better paying C$5 for your husband to request it for you as you're overstaying.

Have fun travelling with your baby!

So I ended up booking a flight to Ireland in June and just hoping I get my PPR before then. I ended up calling Immigration Canada and spoke to a woman who told me that she has never heard of a case where someone who had flown into canada had been turned around and put back on a plane and that most likely they would question me and issue me with a temporary visa. Im hoping this is true because I will be travelling with a 5 month old baby! However I just read somewhere that entering the US after overstaying in Canada may cause them to deny me entry to the US and I have a connecting flight in New York. Does anyone know anything about this or has been in this situation?? im really starting to worry!  and yes I have considered ordering GCMS but that takes 6 weeks? Im really hoping to have my PPR before then lol!

[Jenny parsely]

Can someone tell me when should I contact cic after seeing in process for almost 25 days? My in process status was updated in ecas on 23rd april 2012?

Please advise

[moochops]

Can someone tell me when should I contact cic after seeing in process for almost 25 days? My in process status was updated in ecas on 23rd april 2012?

Please advise

Most would say you shouldn't contact CIC, because you will get a message back that says "don't call us we'll call you".

Mine has been in process since 6th Jan and I've sent a couple of emails - only to get back "don't call us we'll call you".

So really there is no time that you should contact them - you just gotta wait - and 25 days isn't long at all - check the spreadsheet - there were, and are people who have been in process for months without hearing anything 

[Kiri]

So.. just to update you if you're curious how it turned out GoGoGo...  I called and they told me they thought I was doing an inland application so I needed to bring one more photo (luckily I had taken 8 thinking I needed that many, some for meds, some for extension request, etc - I conveniently had one extra.)  and come get the form.  They wouldn't mail.  We drove down from Bracebridge Ontario (staying there with CL's parents for the summer), to Mississauga where I was doing my meds and brought the pic.  They had to go through the whole finding out that I was doing inland and that the paperwork they did for me prior was the wrong section A so they had to get the right one, and had to photo copy the photo to go on their personal copy, attaching it to the old form.. giving me the copy with the extra photo I brought (which allows me to have a photo copy sent to the med place in Canada, but Buffalo gets the original - they said it'd be fine).  Boy was it an experience, but glad I went down or they'd have not had the forms right!    Since that took all day (3 hours one way due to traffic), we had to postpone getting our Statutory of Common-Law Declaration form done until tomorrow, and then we can send it off (that is if my birth certificate arrives in mail -- was mailed last week).  Almost ready to go on the spreadsheet, can't wait!

[GOGOGO]

Glad that you've sorted out your meds!

Before mailing out the application, remember to scan or take photocopy of everything, or at least the forms, any original document that you're sending off eg meds, police certs, anything that's not easily reproduced.  You never know when you will need to refer to them or if you need to resend them to the VO in case something is lost.

You're getting there!  Can't wait to put you on the spreadsheet! 

So.. just to update you if you're curious how it turned out GoGoGo...  I called and they told me they thought I was doing an inland application so I needed to bring one more photo (luckily I had taken 8 thinking I needed that many, some for meds, some for extension request, etc - I conveniently had one extra.)  and come get the form.  They wouldn't mail.  We drove down from Bracebridge Ontario (staying there with CL's parents for the summer), to Mississauga where I was doing my meds and brought the pic.  They had to go through the whole finding out that I was doing inland and that the paperwork they did for me prior was the wrong section A so they had to get the right one, and had to photo copy the photo to go on their personal copy, attaching it to the old form.. giving me the copy with the extra photo I brought (which allows me to have a photo copy sent to the med place in Canada, but Buffalo gets the original - they said it'd be fine).  Boy was it an experience, but glad I went down or they'd have not had the forms right!    Since that took all day (3 hours one way due to traffic), we had to postpone getting our Statutory of Common-Law Declaration form done until tomorrow, and then we can send it off (that is if my birth certificate arrives in mail -- was mailed last week).  Almost ready to go on the spreadsheet, can't wait!

[moochops]

I have a theory...............

It seems buffalo will have a week of issuing ppr's, and then .......... nothing for a while.

I think I know why this is.

The head honcho calls a meeting on a Monday morning, and says "I have a dice here, if we roll a 6, then we finalise some applications, anything else - we go on holiday how does that sound?"

I'm thinking yesterday they rolled a three 

[GOGOGO]

Shall we start a petition requesting the Canadian government to send Buffalo more dice so there will be more chances of hiting a 6?  Or maybe we can offer loaded dice to them for free?

I have a theory...............

It seems buffalo will have a week of issuing ppr's, and then .......... nothing for a while.

I think I know why this is.

The head honcho calls a meeting on a Monday morning, and says "I have a dice here, if we roll a 6, then we finalise some applications, anything else - we go on holiday how does that sound?"

I'm thinking yesterday they rolled a three 

[moochops]

Shall we start a petition requesting the Canadian government to send Buffalo more dice so there will be more chances of hiting a 6?  Or maybe we can offer loaded dice to them for free?

lol - Buffalo start getting inundated with sets of dice from random applicants, all with loads of spots painted on them. They'll wonder what went on 

Oh well - you gotta do something to keep the spirits up eh!

[bbiery]

Status changed from "in progress" to "decision made" on Monday at 5:30 am.  Anyone had any experiences on how long it takes to get your COPR back after this change?  I attempted to search, but it really doesn't get me any results.

[ALLY06]

Hi Everyone!

I have been posting on the general family class sponsorship page, and decided to join you all over here as I start my journey!

I am a US citizen from California been dating a Canadian citizen since April 2010, and are now ENGAGED! I have been here for a month as a visitor and are planning on staying for my 6 months alotted time while we start this process. We plan on having a "ceremony"/celebration in the states in September but I am starting on the process now...this is my plan of action (any advice/suggesitons welcome!)

I plan on getting my fingerprints done in Vancouver and send off for my FBI check this week (hopefully) - I assume I can go to a police station to do this?
Get our marriage license/certificate within the next month through a small civil ceremony (now can we do this in canada? or do we need to go to the US to see a judge?)
As soon as that is done and my FBI check is back I will send off my outland application for sponsorship through spouse to Buffalo using this form(s):

*My big question...I saw on the application form that I should not use the application if I do not live in Canada (as of February 2012).  Even if I am staying here as a visitor for the next 6 months do I use this form still?
"Note: As of February 6, 2012, sponsors and applicants for Permanent Residence are asked to complete both the new Application to sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344) form and the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)"

Thank you for your help!!

[Kiri]

Thanks GoGoGo!  Will do!

Hi Everyone!

I have been posting on the general family class sponsorship page, and decided to join you all over here as I start my journey!

I am a US citizen from California been dating a Canadian citizen since April 2010, and are now ENGAGED! I have been here for a month as a visitor and are planning on staying for my 6 months alotted time while we start this process. We plan on having a "ceremony"/celebration in the states in September but I am starting on the process now...this is my plan of action (any advice/suggesitons welcome!)

I plan on getting my fingerprints done in Vancouver and send off for my FBI check this week (hopefully) - I assume I can go to a police station to do this?
Get our marriage license/certificate within the next month through a small civil ceremony (now can we do this in canada? or do we need to go to the US to see a judge?)
As soon as that is done and my FBI check is back I will send off my outland application for sponsorship through spouse to Buffalo using this form(s):

*My big question...I saw on the application form that I should not use the application if I do not live in Canada (as of February 2012).  Even if I am staying here as a visitor for the next 6 months do I use this form still?
"Note: As of February 6, 2012, sponsors and applicants for Permanent Residence are asked to complete both the new Application to sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344) form and the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)"

Thank you for your help!!

First:  CONGRATS on your engagement!  I'm sure you're super excited!

Second:  While I can't answer everything as I'm going to be sending my application off this week (waiting on my birth certificate to arrive in the mail only then I'm good to go), I can do some.

Where to do fingerprints:  Police station does work, but know there is a fee involved with that.  (I paid $40 in Hamilton, Ontario.. dunno what it would be for you.  Keep that in mind going in.)
Marriage location:  Doesn't matter.  Marriage that is valid in Canada is valid in the United States and vice versa.  People correct me if I'm wrong.
Note: FBI check typically takes 2 months, I have heard 2.5 months.  Mine (which was received a few weeks ago) took 7 weeks.  So keep that in mind for your visitor time.

Suggestion:  Do your medical exam and pay ALL fees before you send it off, not just the base minimum.. otherwise it'll delay processing.  I've heard a request for medical exam can actually delay the process 2 months.  So it'd be good to do that (you can do it in Canada... and from everything I've heard, and my experience here in Ontario, is that it is by far cheaper to do it in Canada than America), and also pay the Right of Permanent Resident fee along with the other fees now, rather than when they would request.. that way it just sails on through.

I am in Canada as a visitor but I used both those forms and am applying outland.  Technically, you ARE living in Canada.  Temporary resident to be precise.. but living resident none-the-less.  I"m sure someone like GoGoGo could inform you better on this than I, but that's how I'm doing it.

Good luck!!

[OhCanadiana]

Status changed from "in progress" to "decision made" on Monday at 5:30 am.  Anyone had any experiences on how long it takes to get your COPR back after this change?  I attempted to search, but it really doesn't get me any results.

Unfortunately, it's probably not correlated    The decision was actually made before they sent you your passport request.   Hopefully it means someone was cleaning up your e-case status and therefore working on your application.   

Hope you get your COPR very, very soon!

[OhCanadiana]

Hi Everyone!

I have been posting on the general family class sponsorship page, and decided to join you all over here as I start my journey!

I am a US citizen from California been dating a Canadian citizen since April 2010, and are now ENGAGED! I have been here for a month as a visitor and are planning on staying for my 6 months alotted time while we start this process. We plan on having a "ceremony"/celebration in the states in September but I am starting on the process now...this is my plan of action (any advice/suggesitons welcome!)

I plan on getting my fingerprints done in Vancouver and send off for my FBI check this week (hopefully) - I assume I can go to a police station to do this?
Get our marriage license/certificate within the next month through a small civil ceremony (now can we do this in canada? or do we need to go to the US to see a judge?)
As soon as that is done and my FBI check is back I will send off my outland application for sponsorship through spouse to Buffalo using this form(s):

*My big question...I saw on the application form that I should not use the application if I do not live in Canada (as of February 2012).  Even if I am staying here as a visitor for the next 6 months do I use this form still?
"Note: As of February 6, 2012, sponsors and applicants for Permanent Residence are asked to complete both the new Application to sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking (IMM 1344) form and the Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)"

Thank you for your help!!

Congratulations on your engagement and welcome to the Buffalo thread

It will be fastest if you apply outland through Buffalo using the forms at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp (including 1344 and 0008 - if you download them from the links at that address you'll get the new versions that you can fill out and validate.   Once you validate them, bar codes will be generated that you include at the top of your application so they can scan them and capture the info faster once your application is received.

Good luck as you embark on this exciting journey!

[ALLY06]

It will be fastest if you apply outland through Buffalo using the forms at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp (including 1344 and 0008 - if you download them from the links at that address you'll get the new versions that you can fill out and validate.   Once you validate them, bar codes will be generated that you include at the top of your application so they can scan them and capture the info faster once your application is received.

Oh great - it seems I was looking at the wrong forms (or maybe they were just the old forms?) to send out - so I just complete all forms in this link? I just want to make sure I have the correct application