Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[amaranth]

I dont think it throws you back in the que. I sent in a Case Specific Inquiry just asking for a status update and they got back to me (well my husband) the next day. all I got was a simple respose of 'your case is in process nothing more is needed from you at this time'
Thats how I found out I was in process (Ecas is still app received) if you are getting really antsy and just want to make sure you're in process email them. They should be able to just quickly pull up your file on the computer and see its in process. I dont see how that would pull you to the back of the line.

I'm definitely swinging wildly between antsy and as patient as possible... I guess I just want to know if I am indeed in process too, but I know I won't get any real specific answers beyond what others have gotten. I wish there was a real way to find out why ALL of our little group is so stuck/skipped/in limbo/whatever. I've been pondering contacting my (future, haha) MP to find out if there's anything we can do collectively, but since Parliament is set to adjourn next week, I don't know if it would help anything. Especially since we are all still officially still within the "normal" processing time as per the CIC chart.

I guess the hardest part is seeing people AFTER us getting through so fast. It might sound silly, but it's almost painful at times!

I think part of my impatience is just how boring and lonely it gets here sometimes. I'm "visiting" for a good chunk of the summer, and I'm really hoping my next trip down through Buffalo will include getting that elusive visa! But until then, I don't really know what to do with myself... Can't work, don't know many people yet (We're not in the greatest neighbourhood at the moment, so I'm not too comfortable exploring on my own!) and everything I have looked into volunteering for requires background checks (which they don't seem to want to do or can't do for me) or a car, or other such things I can't provide... It gets frustrating spending so much time alone! Does anyone else feel like this at times?

Sorry for the rambling. Just can't get to sleep! 

[Rinnerz]

I guess the hardest part is seeing people AFTER us getting through so fast. It might sound silly, but it's almost painful at times!

Almost? And it's not silly at all. That's been us for several months now.

[mala16]

I am a little confused...
I logged into ECAS (as the sponsored person) and they cannot find me.

I logged into ECAS (as the sponsor - my husband) and it says that we received the Sponsored Application on June 9th.  Does this mean Buffalo received it June 9th? Is this the AOR or is this just a file transfer confirmation?  

My husband was approved as a sponsor on May 30th (Sponsorship Application Status - Decision Made on May 30th; received the letter in the mail the first week in June).

Thanks!  Just trying to get an understanding of where things are....

[mossee]

 @ mala16

What did you log into e-Cas with? File number wise? Did you use the same number as your husbands??
I could only log into my sponsorship info with my file number, he has to be assigned one from the VO for the sponsored part is what my understanding of this is.

And for timeline wise, I was approved sponsorship April 7th and didn't actually access my husbands
e-Cas until June 10th.

Hope this helps.

[mala16]

thank you very much for your insight mossee.  that does help!  i logged in with my husband's client ID (i don't have one yet...at least i don't think so...do i get that from buffalo?)

looks like things are moving right along for you!  3 months and lots of progress!
i hope we are so lucky and follow in your foot-steps!

[chess101]

Ok guys I got a letter,
it's almost done but they want more proof we're in a common-law, according to them the proof we sent is only good until july 2010, yeah I know
So we need the extra document proving June 2010 , which is absurd because we've been living together even longer than that. I'm not sure what else to send, I'm thinking my account statements, and perhaps proof that we're renting my parent's basement suite. I just took pics, now I'm off to the bank, wish me luck in resolving this matter

[avon]

 @  chess101 - congradulations, I hope that everything from here on out is speedy and you get your ppr soon.  That sounds like progress.

[dhd]

(quoting e-mail from Buffalo)

e-Cas is for applications processing within Canada only.

Immigration cases being processed in Visa offices outside Canada use a system different from that used to process similar applications in Canada. As a result, the e-Client Application Status (e-CAS)  does not reflect the status of cases being processed in Buffalo.

Well, that's good to know :-)

Who will be the first to ask them why if creating applications is taking at least 30 weeks, people who applied in March have AORs already...?

[rjessome]

Well actually, this is only (partly) true for AMERICAN consulates/visa offices as they are the only office with fully functional (or the most functional) GCMS operating.  But still, that is a bad response because e-cas is NOT just for application processed in Canada.  Very misleading.

[Tiggilicious]

I also got the same email the previous poster got, regarding the 30 weeks

And mala, no, thats not your AOR. You get that by email later.

[Calgary-Bound]

Well actually, this is only (partly) true for AMERICAN consulates/visa offices as they are the only office with fully functional (or the most functional) GCMS operating.  But still, that is a bad response because e-cas is NOT just for application processed in Canada.  Very misleading.

So you can actualy use the ecas for apps. outside of Canada also?This just seems like it gets more frustrateing everyday.I guess Its our fault tho we submited our app back In November and It got returned for missing form.So we lost 3 months there.

[rjessome]

Yes you can use it for any application for PR.  However, ECAS often doesn't offer much.  Consistency varies per visa office and per visa officer.  I know people use it as a lifeline and look at it to predict things but it really doesn't tell you much.  With the implementation of GCMS, it's causing lots of glitches too.

[amaranth]

Out of boredom, I checked ecas again, and caught something I hadn't noticed before...

My address is correct, except for the zip code (kind of)... I've always used the full 9 digit US zip code (ex: 12345-6789). I know most people never use it as it's really not necessary, but growing up the daughter of a postal worker it became habit, haha.
I know this is probably incredibly nitpicky, but they have it listed as 123 456789... Is this something worth contacting them about?

[eletyl]

well, 2 weeks until my work permit expires (which I had before I met my spouse), and I am still unemployed... if I knew PPR was forthcoming in a few weeks, I'd probably just go back to the US and wait.  but I guess I need to assume the worst, and file for a visitor permit extension.

(I've been "in process" since May 5, I thought I was so close!)

[sparkle]

Out of boredom, I checked ecas again, and caught something I hadn't noticed before...

My address is correct, except for the zip code (kind of)... I've always used the full 9 digit US zip code (ex: 12345-6789). I know most people never use it as it's really not necessary, but growing up the daughter of a postal worker it became habit, haha.
I know this is probably incredibly nitpicky, but they have it listed as 123 456789... Is this something worth contacting them about?

I don't think that should be a major concern...And anyway, it's postal guy who will have to worry about it, and I am sure they won't get confused by that

So...really? No newss from Buffalo?? Unbelievable