Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[spiritrac]

nothing like healthy discussion, we have to do something to vent the frustration Amaranth my prayers are with you but stay positive something will happen soon.

OCU_Canadian we are in the same position my spouse is currently looking at Universities to begin Doctorial studies in the learning sciences(Computer science with math) I will probably be away from her for 4 to 7 years but its something she felt she wanted to do and I support her fully I just believe that we need to support each other

Doctorkb I am not attacking anyone's frustration just wanted to stir discussion and to take our minds of the situation and try to look at it differently other wise we can all go crazy  we could all be stressed out.

[Salsalvr]

Hello everyone,

I have now been in Canada for 1 week.  We drove all the way up from California and it was a long but beautiful drive.   Re: a previous post, we packed ourselves and used a Penske van for moving. We left our goods in storage in Washington, and just came with our packed vehicle.  When my husband told them our plans, ie. to have me stay in Canada until my residency goes through, they referred us to the office to apply for a visitor record.  When we got to the immigration desk, my daughter asked if they had a play area , then when the said that they needed to talk to me without my son, he started bawling.  Other than that the questioning went smoothly, just about 10 minutes; and they gave the kids Canadian flags, at which point they started waving them like crazy, yelling Canada, Canada.  Wow.

I must say, I am enjoying my stay here so far, except that I didn't have those darn looneys and Canadian quarters on my first shopping trip to get the shopping carts off of the chain...darn.  I need to get used to the extended daylight too.  It's easy to stay up way too late.

I hope everyone had or will have a great independence day

[melyn2223]

Hey guys
I just got an ecas update status that my medicals have been received. What does that mean? any ideas

[quagaar145]

Has anyone had their Canadian spouse come to stay with them in US while they wait for Buffalo to get a move on? We have been trying to deal with the distance and the waiting but I just don't want to do it anymore, especially with the backlog of the Oct-Feb people and them saying it is going to take 30 weeks to even look at my file. Currently I am making more money than he is so it would be easier financially for him to stop working and come here than the other way around.

Any problems at the border if people have done this? He would have his approval of sponsorship letter and his boss will write him a letter saying he will have a job when he returns (he works with friends, very easy going company). I'm thinking he would be here a good few months before we hear anything on my visa.

Just so depressed with being apart. I'm sure most of you can relate.

[Jeff]

My fmaily keeps asking why I don't just go get my wife and bring her up here...they don't understand that I could be turned away at the border...

[islandgirl25]

My fmaily keeps asking why I don't just go get my wife and bring her up here...they don't understand that I could be turned away at the border...

what do you mean you could be turned away at the border??

[Stumpedmom]

Its easier for the american to come "visit" while waiting out the PR application.  My uncle who is an immigration officer at the border told me that if the american side catches wind of the fact you are going to see your spouse and can't prove via return tickets, ties here in Canada, they can refuse you entry to the US and send you back!!!

[Morena]

I was thinking about sending an email to Buffalo to know how far the process is going but i get this on the website :

You will be sent a letter showing your file number and outlining the next steps in processing within 20 weeks of the date of your application's receipt at this office.

Please do not contact us during this period - except to notify us if there is a change in your mailing address or if you decide to withdraw your application.

So...i guess is not a good idea...uh?  4 months now...and still no AOR....

[Jeff]

what do you mean you could be turned away at the border??

If a border agent doesn't feel you will return they can refuse her entry. My wife was refused entry a couple years ago once and it meant a 12 hour drive home after a 12 hour drive there.

So now we don't bother risking the same thing.

Now, she flew in and had a return ticket etc and there was no issue but she is now terrified of crossing the border.

[fizzlefunk]

Has anyone had their Canadian spouse come to stay with them in US while they wait for Buffalo to get a move on? We have been trying to deal with the distance and the waiting but I just don't want to do it anymore, especially with the backlog of the Oct-Feb people and them saying it is going to take 30 weeks to even look at my file. Currently I am making more money than he is so it would be easier financially for him to stop working and come here than the other way around.

Any problems at the border if people have done this? He would have his approval of sponsorship letter and his boss will write him a letter saying he will have a job when he returns (he works with friends, very easy going company). I'm thinking he would be here a good few months before we hear anything on my visa.

Just so depressed with being apart. I'm sure most of you can relate.

My wife (sponsor) did this -- she came to stay with me in the US for 5 months.  We bought a round-trip ticket for her and just sucked up the cost of the missed return flight.  The US Border gave her no issues, just the basic questions  they ask everybody that she answered vaguely. 

[KazInAz]

Update:

Left Phoenix Az on June 9 and spent 6 days travelling to Buffalo with trailer of belongings.  Hubby went to buffalo office at 7am and was back at hotel by 9:30am.
Packed up stuff and headed to Lewiston bridge as we had 2 vehicles to export and import.  The whole process from export to driving away was about 1 hr and 10 min.  No fan fare, no issues at all.  They never asked to look in the trailer or see a list of goods.  The trailer was 24ft long and held my car and our stuff.  Hubby crossed the parking lot to the vehicle when we were done and said, "Is that it? Did we miss something?"
No honey...thats it....welcome to Canada.

We have spent the last 2 weeks getting SIN, health, drivers lic. etc and job hunting.  Hubby got a job the 2nd week and he starts mid July.  Now we begin house hunting.
So far its been very smooth.....too smooth.....waiting for the other shoe to drop.
If anyone has anything specific questions, let me know.

Good luck to those in Dec-Feb!

Kazinaz....now KazinCdn

[eletyl]

congrats Kaz, all good news!  btw, I am from Phoenix (Scottsdale) originally, too. 

[puzzle69]

Congratulations KazInAZ and best of luck on your house hunting!

[Stumpedmom]

Awesome KazinAz....I fly to south Tucson to make the trek home Friday with Hubs....we are hoping to get the PPR this week and maybe stop in Buffalo on the way back....we have gotten 2 ecas updates this weekend so we shall see!!!

[francohoosier]

Hey guys! I've come to add myself to the club - I am also a victim of the Dec-Jan-feb delays.  I'm lucky enough to be living with my husband for the time being though because I got a 1-year work permit... but it's not renewable and it expires mid-September. Eek! Buffalo had better get a move-on.

If they don't, does anyone have suggestions for how to stay when I can't renew my WP?

I read earlier on the thread about not taking chances with being refused at the border - been there, done that. Had literal recurring nightmares for almost 6 months afterwards. Not fun.

For those that have tried to contact the embassy or their MP, would you recommend it for me? And where do I find contact info? I haven't even received AOR yet! The most I've gotten is an e-cas update saying that Buffalo received my application on March 24th, 2011.

*Sigh*

Oh, and btw, Sparkle could you add me to the spreadsheet? Thanks!