Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[ddobro2]

I failed to mention yesterday that in addition to fun with depressing GCMS notes, I also had an IA letter from Buffalo (regular mail). So in addition to letting me know that they were done with the initial assessment of the file (whatever that means), and that they were waiving the interview (which was a big sigh of relief and means I will not be mailing that updated packet of relationship evidence I had waiting for some cue to mail in), there was a document request (which perhaps is the push factor in Buffalo deciding to send an IA in the first place).

The document in question was my CSQ, sigh, which they claimed they did not have.

This despite the fact that they
(1) were forwarded it in July from le Ministere de l'Immigration et des Communautes Culturelles (CSQ cover letter states, "notre decision est egalement transmise au BVC de BUFFALO......"),
(2) Mississauga received it from me in August when I sent them my RPRF receipt and in the same envelope, a copy of the CSQ *with the request that they forward it to Buffalo* (Mississauga later sent a letter addressed to my husband, even though the payment and mail they received was from moi..... , saying that they were pleased to confirm receipt of the RPRF and had notified the VO),
(3) AND of course had sent three separate emails to their "F$ck Off Department" (to borrow janamay1967's phrase) basically begging them to tell me if they had it or not.

In any case, I'm going to send them my CSQ by mail, fax, email, and will deploy a flock of carrier pigeons to drop them on everyone's desk during lunch hour. Even the janitor will get his own copy. Fine, I'm kidding.

The only thing was that "certified true copies" language in the letter. My husband was convinced that it referred to some form of notarization, I disagreed, and a big fight ensued. I emailed the non-F$ck Off Department (janamay1967's email) for clarification this morning and have yet to hear back (update: okay, I totally forgot it was Thanksgiving, lol). If I don't, they will be getting a simple photocopy of it, and I believe that's what they need.

[ddobro2]

Good for her. It's one thing for us to criticise them, but when you hear that from someone actually within the immigration system, it really makes one sit up and listen, huh?

I've been putting off posting my landing story, but I will say this... We had a fantastic conversation with the officer at Ft. Erie, and she seriously used the term FUBAR to describe how bad Buffalo has gotten since last year. 

[cantor2537]

Stupid question: What are GCMS notes? When should we obtain them? And how do we obtain them?

[ddobro2]

Read here: http://immipedia.ca/Ordering_FOSS_and_CAIPS_notes

Stupid question: What are GCMS notes? When should we obtain them? And how do we obtain them?

[cantor2537]

THanks!

[ddobro2]

Also learned by logging in to e-cas to test something out that I've been in process since November 14th. Wonder why e-cas tracker never told me....

[Maple3]

Obviously, doctorkb already articulated what I meant, but it was that, yes, it's unfortunately e-cas tells us several weeks, etc. later what we already know. The (positive) "decision" is the VO asking for one's passport, which they would not do if they had refused the visa.

Yes I already knew since they requested the passport!  They must have been a delayed reaction mode! LOL
Happy Thanksgiving ddobro2

[ddobro2]

Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving ddobro2

[AmericaninQuebec]

This happened to my friend who applied in July 2010. They looked at her file when the MP inquired summer 2011 and then still did nothing for several months. Now, I have finally convinced her to get GCMS (she didn't back in Aug b/c her MP indicated that she was almost done... virtually approved) and now they are telling her they think she has TB, her meds expired, and she has to wait for them to send her the medical form she needs to go back to the DMP. Wonder if you guys have the same incompetent visa officer.

Thankfully my meds were "approved" (they're listed as in process but that there were no medical issues or need for surveillance). Sounds like we got the same fun officer, plus my husband's MP's office pretty much indicated the same thing to us last time we talked to them. We'll be going in with the GCMS notes in hand, and I plan on sitting there while they contact Buffalo. I want to either hear the phone call or see a copy of the email correspondence that explains why nothing has been done on my file since July.

[AmericaninQuebec]

"File to put aways"? Wtf? I'm going to have to write something too. I haven't received any kind of a "so, what's this you copied us on?" response from my MP regarding that email to ATIP. Parliament is in recess for Christmas around Dec. 17 I believe (http://www.parl.gc.ca/HouseChamberBusiness/ChamberCalendar.aspx?Language=E), so you might want to consider the possibility of seeing the MP in person when he comes back to his district - I am.

Yeah my plan is to go to the office Monday morning with my husband and refuse to leave until something is actually done about my file. My husband doesn't even believe at this point that the MP's office contacted them in October. He's convinced they just waited a few days to call me back and give me a load of b.s. I want to go and sit there while they call Buffalo or write the email, and I want to be copied on it. If they won't put pressure on Buffalo to open my file and at least give us a firm BFD then I'm going to make it very clear that we will make sure all of Sherbrooke knows how incompetent they are and that they need to vote them out in the next round of elections.

I'm also going to go email the addresses that I have for Buffalo, and ask them what the BFD on my file is and why there has been no progress on it since July according to the GCMS notes. Maybe if I harass them enough they'll take my file back out of the "put aways" pile. 

[amaranth]

Also learned by logging in to e-cas to test something out that I've been in process since November 14th. Wonder why e-cas tracker never told me....

I never got the in process update from the tracker either, nor anything about application received at any point in time. Just the bajillion meds received updates  
It would appear matthewc has some bugs to work out of the system!

In any case, I'm going to send them my CSQ by mail, fax, email, and will deploy a flock of carrier pigeons to drop them on everyone's desk during lunch hour. Even the janitor will get his own copy. Fine, I'm kidding.

Definitely do this. I recall seeing others around here and on another forum mention Buffalo "losing" documents, then with a bit of prodding, they are magically found. I would take this to mean you're getting REALLY close! Hang in there!  

[ddobro2]

You know, I thought the same thing about bugs with the tracker, although I did get the very first update ("e-cas tracker case now showing"), meaning it was able to log me in with the information provided.

As for the CSQ, I'm obviously sending them the copy, but given the big deal my husband made about the "certified true" language in the IA (it was in the generic section of the letter, not the bullet point devoted to the document they required), I just feel a tad concerned about making a photocopy of it and mailing that (I plan to pay up extra $ to get it there quicker) just to have them say I did not do some form of notarization they were looking for. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to risk that - I doubt anyone has had to certify/notarize their CSQ (well, most people were not bothered about it in the first place as Buffalo actually did not lose the copy that MICC should have sent them  ). Thanks.

I never got the in process update from the tracker either, nor anything about application received at any point in time. Just the bajillion meds received updates  
It would appear matthewc has some bugs to work out of the system!

Definitely do this. I recall seeing others around here and on another forum mention Buffalo "losing" documents, then with a bit of prodding, they are magically found. I would take this to mean you're getting REALLY close! Hang in there!  

[doctorkb]

You know, I thought the same thing about bugs with the tracker, although I did get the very first update ("e-cas tracker case now showing"), meaning it was able to log me in with the information provided.

As for the CSQ, I'm obviously sending them the copy, but given the big deal my husband made about the "certified true" language in the IA (it was in the generic section of the letter, not the bullet point devoted to the document they required), I just feel a tad concerned about making a photocopy of it and mailing that (I plan to pay up extra $ to get it there quicker) just to have them say I did not do some form of notarization they were looking for. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to risk that - I doubt anyone has had to certify/notarize their CSQ (well, most people were not bothered about it in the first place as Buffalo actually did not lose the copy that MICC should have sent them  ). Thanks.

Since a notary will typically only charge ~$20 (last time I used one) to certify a true copy and its bearer, it might be worth doing that.

Also, one other destination to add to your list: your MP.  E-mail it to them explaining that Buffalo should already have this, etc. -- then also make specific complaint that it's ridiculous that Quebec residents have that added bit of paperwork that can get lost, etc.

On another note, perhaps try e-mailing bfaloimpa-ap @ international.gc.ca -- they seem to not be in the FO Department.

[ddobro2]

First off, really appreciate the responses.

Oh man, do I have to? Plus, that would mean my husband was right.   He actually told me to go to the local city hall in our arrondissement of Montreal which I presume would charge well under 20 bucks. Specifically, the IA letter reads, "In order to continue processing your application, the following is required:

• Certificat de selection du Quebec from the Ministere de l'Immigration et des Communautes Culturelles for yourself. This must be received at this office by: 01/14/2012.
  

Unless original documents are specifically requested, please submit certified true copies of supporting documents. All police certificates must be original. They will not be returned to you. [snip]"

As far the MP goes, it's obviously on the back burner again. I fully understand and have no problem with why Quebec residents have those extra steps involved, what I do have a big problem with is the incompetence and inefficiency at the CIC office at Buffalo. Yeah, set up an email response team that absolutely rejects the idea of confirming whether the office has certain documents, then wait months and mail the person a letter saying they need the document they were desperately trying to ask you if you had: brilliant.

The email address you referenced is exactly the same one to which I sent the email this morning to attempt to clarify the bit on "certified true copy" - of course, my luck that I need to do this on Thanksgiving.

Since a notary will typically only charge ~$20 (last time I used one) to certify a true copy and its bearer, it might be worth doing that.

Also, one other destination to add to your list: your MP.  E-mail it to them explaining that Buffalo should already have this, etc. -- then also make specific complaint that it's ridiculous that Quebec residents have that added bit of paperwork that can get lost, etc.

On another note, perhaps try e-mailing bfaloimpa-ap    @    international.gc.ca -- they seem to not be in the FO Department.

[doctorkb]

First off, really appreciate the responses.

Oh man, do I have to? Plus, that would mean my husband was right.   He actually told me to go to the local city hall in our arrondissement of Montreal which I presume would charge well under 20 bucks. Specifically, the IA letter reads, "In order to continue processing your application, the following is required:

• Certificat de selection du Quebec from the Ministere de l'Immigration et des Communautes Culturelles for yourself. This must be received at this office by: 01/14/2012.
  

Unless original documents are specifically requested, please submit certified true copies of supporting documents. All police certificates must be original. They will not be returned to you. [snip]"

As far the MP goes, it's obviously on the back burner again. I fully understand and have no problem with why Quebec residents have those extra steps involved, what I do have a big problem with is the incompetence and inefficiency at the CIC office at Buffalo. Yeah, set up an email response team that absolutely rejects the idea of confirming whether the office has certain documents, then wait months and mail the person a letter saying they need the document they were desperately trying to ask you if you had: brilliant.

The email address you referenced is exactly the same one to which I sent the email this morning to attempt to clarify the bit on "certified true copy" - of course, my luck that I need to do this on Thanksgiving.

I didn't have to deal with this, but I can say that the incompetence is likely just as prevalent at MICC as it is in Buffalo.  Without being the sender, there's no certainty that the item-not-received wasn't just the effect of item-not-sent.

Now, add CanadaPost to the mix and you have a TRULY incompetent process.  Our passport was supposed to be delivered today -- CanadaPost had scanned it as "delivered" about 2 hours ago.  The mailbox is still empty.  I called CP to inquire -- they said "oh, they sometimes scan it and deliver it later".  I told them how uncool this was, especially given the recent story about mail hoarding -- if the scan says delivered, I'd better darn well be able to walk to the mailbox and find it in there.

We'll see if it's in our box later today.

As for "certified true" -- you may be able to take this to any professional (i.e. someone who is licensed for their job, like doctor, pharmacist, engineer, lawyer, banker) for authentication.  This is what used to have to be done for a passport application in Canada.  A notary is the ultimate, but often charges a little more.

As for the MP -- don't write them off.  Our MP followed through when I provided them with the documents that had been sent.  Our GCMS notes show receipt of snail mail documents AND the correspondence from the MP's office (including the documents we provided)... but not any of the e-mail correspondence WE had to communicate the same.