Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[jacobsdennis]

Ddobro2, is it safe to assume that due to your "sorry to hear about interview" comment that this is a bad thing?  My partner and I were hoping that this was a good sign because they're asking us to bring our passports and birth certificates.  We were even thinking that the visa might be issued that same day.  Are we way out to lunch on this???

[ddobro2]

Wow, sorry, didn't mean to make you feel down. The only reason I said that is because Buffalo rarely (compared to other VOs) asks for interviews. Obviously if an interview is waived, there's much less doubt on the part of the immigration officer as to the genuineness of the relationship, as this is the primary reason for requesting an interview. Also having to deal with an interview, including the travel there, is not something you must look forward to. That's the only reason why I said sorry. It doesn't mean that that's it, they're going to refuse you or anything. I have heard of people from other embassies submitting their passports immediately after the interview (this is up to the interviewing officer) but I can't say anything about how often that happens with Buffalo because like I said, I simply haven't heard of that many interviews at Buffalo. It seems from my observations on this forum that those who do get asked to come in for interviews at Buffalo are not U.S. citizens.

Ddobro2, is it safe to assume that due to your "sorry to hear about interview" comment that this is a bad thing?  My partner and I were hoping that this was a good sign because they're asking us to bring our passports and birth certificates.  We were even thinking that the visa might be issued that same day.  Are we way out to lunch on this???

[jacobsdennis]

Ok...Phew!  You had me SUPER nervous there for a second...Haha!  Actually, my partner is NOT an American, but rather a Filipino.  My partners is currently a temporary foreign worker in Canada and has been for almost 4 years, 3 of which we've been together and living common-law.  We applied outland because the process is much quicker than applying inland through Vegreville.  They've received all the medical information and everything appears to be fine with that, according to my online status checker.  Again, we chose outland and we chose Buffalo and my partner is Filipino.  Does this change anything?  Is this probably the reason we're requested for an interview?  Thanks for all your help and encouragement everyone.  This forum is great!

[scylla]

Ok...Phew!  You had me SUPER nervous there for a second...Haha!  Actually, my partner is NOT an American, but rather a Filipino.  My partners is currently a temporary foreign worker in Canada and has been for almost 4 years, 3 of which we've been together and living common-law.  We applied outland because the process is much quicker than applying inland through Vegreville.  They've received all the medical information and everything appears to be fine with that, according to my online status checker.  Again, we chose outland and we chose Buffalo and my partner is Filipino.  Does this change anything?  Is this probably the reason we're requested for an interview?  Thanks for all your help and encouragement everyone.  This forum is great!

Has your partner looked into getting a visa to enter the US for the interview (or does she already have one)? If not, I'd look into this sooner rather than later to make sure your partner is able to enter the US and attend the interview.

[ddobro2]

How is choosing to apply outland and having Buffalo process your PR the reason for the interview? No, not at all. Like I said, they tend to do this for foreign nationals who are not U.S. citizens, so your partner being a Filipino would explain that. Also you say partner which makes me think that this is a common-law or conjugal relationship. If you are an opposite sex couple (it wasn't clear from your posts), I believe that the added fact that you are not married may arouse their suspicions about the genuineness of the relationship. I'm not entirely aware of every reason for which they request an interview, but like I said, they do so if they need to clear up any concerns or doubts they have about the relationship being bona fide. You'll hopefully get a better idea with the GCMS notes......GCMS has a lot more freestyle writing than its predecessor, CAIPS, so there should be something there written by the IO about his impression of the relationship.

Ok...Phew!  You had me SUPER nervous there for a second...Haha!  Actually, my partner is NOT an American, but rather a Filipino.  My partners is currently a temporary foreign worker in Canada and has been for almost 4 years, 3 of which we've been together and living common-law.  We applied outland because the process is much quicker than applying inland through Vegreville.  They've received all the medical information and everything appears to be fine with that, according to my online status checker.  Again, we chose outland and we chose Buffalo and my partner is Filipino.  Does this change anything?  Is this probably the reason we're requested for an interview?  Thanks for all your help and encouragement everyone.  This forum is great!

[York Region]

Ok...Phew!  You had me SUPER nervous there for a second...Haha!  Actually, my partner is NOT an American, but rather a Filipino.  My partners is currently a temporary foreign worker in Canada and has been for almost 4 years, 3 of which we've been together and living common-law.  We applied outland because the process is much quicker than applying inland through Vegreville.  They've received all the medical information and everything appears to be fine with that, according to my online status checker.  Again, we chose outland and we chose Buffalo and my partner is Filipino.  Does this change anything?  Is this probably the reason we're requested for an interview?  Thanks for all your help and encouragement everyone.  This forum is great!

Hi guys, when did u apply? When did buffalo received your appl

[jacobsdennis]

Scylla, yes, my partner applied and got a 10 years multiple entry visitor visa for the US.

Ddobro2, my parter is same sex and yes, we're in a same sex common-law relationship (both males).  We both felt that marriage is a religious ceremony only, and neither of us are religious so why go through a process that neither of us really agree with?!  We've been together for over 3 years now and have been filing taxes together as a same-sex common-law partnership for 2 years, along with shared employment health care benefits, etc, etc, etc.  There really isn't anything else we can do to prove, other than to show up and tell the truth!  I'm soooo nervous about this interview, but we truly have nothing to hide.  We just want to be together forever, as opposed to stressing out EVERY single year, as we await work permits for him...

[scylla]

Scylla, yes, my partner applied and got a 10 years multiple entry visitor visa for the US.

Ddobro2, my parter is same sex and yes, we're in a same sex common-law relationship (both males).  We both felt that marriage is a religious ceremony only, and neither of us are religious so why go through a process that neither of us really agree with?!  We've been together for over 3 years now and have been filing taxes together as a same-sex common-law partnership for 2 years, along with shared employment health care benefits, etc, etc, etc.  There really isn't anything else we can do to prove, other than to show up and tell the truth!  I'm soooo nervous about this interview, but we truly have nothing to hide.  We just want to be together forever, as opposed to stressing out EVERY single year, as we await work permits for him...

OK - great to hear you have a visit visa already. Sorry about the gender mix up.

I wouldn't assume the interview will be a cake-walk. It's possible they may have called the interview to confirm your relationship is genuine (this is often the reason why interviews are called). I would bring additional relationship evidence if you have any (e.g. newer photos, newer bills, letters to same address, etc.). Other than that, all you can do is answer questions honestly and openly. Good luck and please let us know how it goes!!!

[ddobro2]

I recall that west2east was in a similar situation as you: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/thread-for-outland-buffalo-applicants-t41886.0.html;msg890586#msg890586. That person was interviewed and actually did submit his passport immediately afterward, so it's definitely a possibility. Just take a look at the set of sample interview questions and discuss these with your partner. This might end up being a total waste of time when you go in for the interview but I think being over-prepared is always better than being under-prepared. Best of luck.

OK - great to hear you have a visit visa already. Sorry about the gender mix up.

I wouldn't assume the interview will be a cake-walk. It's possible they may have called the interview to confirm your relationship is genuine (this is often the reason why interviews are called). I would bring additional relationship evidence if you have any (e.g. newer photos, newer bills, letters to same address, etc.). Other than that, all you can do is answer questions honestly and openly. Good luck and please let us know how it goes!!!

[Morena]

I just got my passport back yesterday with the visa!! Landing soon...good luck to everyone!

[AmericaninQuebec]

Also you say partner which makes me think that this is a common-law or conjugal relationship. If you are an opposite sex couple (it wasn't clear from your posts), I believe that the added fact that you are not married may arouse their suspicions about the genuineness of the relationship.

I wonder if they actually view common-law unions of opposite sex partners that way, especially when they are so common in Canada. At least, here in Quebec they are more the norm than the exception. I don't know what it's like in Montreal, as you have other cultures entering the mix that may change the demographic, but from my experience around the rest of Quebec marriage is not common. It's considered something couples who have been together for decades do to ensure spousal benefits upon death. Those who get married young are rare. In fact, my husband's family was really surprised and confused that we were getting married and we didn't even have children yet! I wish that were a joke, but it's really not. In fact when I first got to Quebec I had to keep finding new ways to answer the question, "so when are you two going to start having children?" from everyone I met (yes, complete strangers), and this was before we'd even gotten engaged. Anyway, just pondering that in my boredom this afternoon.

[Morena]

Also, they extended my medicals 1 year...and they were expired already since September....so people, there is hope out there....no matter what!

[jacobsdennis]

Where might I find the sample of interview questions?

[ddobro2]

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t55861.0.html;msg467474#msg467474.

Where might I find the sample of interview questions?

[AmericaninQuebec]

Also, they extended my medicals 1 year...and they were expired already since September....so people, there is hope out there....no matter what!

That is good news! Congrats!