Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[bloodyguitars]

Congrats!

As for us, they didn't request passport or anything when they requested the RPRF. I've sent it in Jan 20, I called CPC-M and they said they have input it in the system Feb 3, but still no word from LA.... We're getting really anxious and kinda worried that it's taking so long for them to approve and send a PPR.

You are almost there...and due. Your timeline looks really great. I don't see any reason to worry. Goodluck!

[GOGOGO]

Think you've already heard many Congratulations today but one more from me is not too many I guess.

I'm wondering if the inconsistence of updating is just due to the different working styles between the IOs.  Some people like to work closely with the system and they tend to update everything there, while some just love to have their heads down and write everything on the paper only.

Wish NYC has a super nice IO working my case too...

Ecas  has not been updated since they told us my I was approved for sponsorship ( dec 2011) . Even when the file was transferred to Seattle in Jan, nutting was mentioned.


Oh and after my phone conversation with the IO he sent my hubby the email stating that in order to finish the processing application for admission to Canada we need the following : right of perm res fee $490 we have thirty days to pay .  

The IO was super nice.... I played dumb  and told him I was worried when I pay the fee online he might not see that I paid.... He replied that he knows the minute it is in the computer the system is all connected. So that tells me they all know everything.... So why they do not update ecas more I have no idea.

[Quince777]

I hate this process...

Hang in there! I think you're very close to finalizing your app.

[bbiery]

So a November app got ppr?  Amazing.

[ddobro2]

What a range of wait times we have here, huh?

So a November app got ppr?  Amazing.

[mumbles]

Omg omg omg omg !! So excited! Canadian immigration officer just personally called me and asked if I would like my binder of info  etc sent back or just then pictures. He said he is and I quote .... " finishing the last touches on my paperwork so u can be with your sweetie" !!!! Asked for us to pay the last fee and send passport!!!! I'm so excited and my husband won't answer the phone for me to tell him! So I thought I would share my excitement with all of u supportive people! He also said that my immigration package was one that was talked about amongst staff because it was so in depth and normally they do not need that much evidence! I explained I was a school teacher and that I am very thorough!

Congrats!!   ....by in depth...what do you feel he meant?? could you give us all an example of how thorough you were?  Congrats again!

[GOGOGO]

Hi bbiery, am not seeing you in the Buffalo spreadsheet. Would you like to be added?

http://tinyurl.com/3rpdwav

App received: Oct 4th
Sponsorship Approval: Dec 6th
AOR: Dec 20th

Buffalo VO

[Kiri]

Congrats!!   ....by in depth...what do you feel he meant?? could you give us all an example of how thorough you were?  Congrats again!

Yes, please do share!

[Calgary-Bound]

I hate this process...

Yeah me to!

[AmericaninQuebec]

Hate to quote myself.. but I know a lot has been posted today and curious if anyone has any idea on this?  I'm so excited for you Moonlight!!  I hope I get that kind of thing

I was in Canada already as a visitor before getting married. The difference though, is that once we decided to get married (we hadn't yet decided when I had come to stay) we chose to do it quickly. We had planned a ceremony for about a month later (so Nov. 2010), and only invited close family. When I went to the border to get my visitor status renewed (I didn't know about extensions at the time, and we're close to the border anyway) my then-fiance (now husband) and I informed them that we were getting married 2 weeks later and then starting the PR process shortly thereafter. They actually gave us a hard time about it (lots of questions, wanted to see proof of funds, looking back they were definitely asking if I had ties to the U.S. still), and at that point only gave me a 3 month entry. I was told repeatedly that I had to bring proof with me the next time around that we'd started the application process. The next time I went was before we'd sent the application in, and I didn't know you could apparently pay fees a long time in advance, so I just brought with me copies of our marriage certificate, marriage contract (a Quebec thing), my forms completely filled and signed, copy of the paper I got from the DMP after my exam, and explained that we were just waiting on my FBI check to come back and the file would be sent in. Again, they were not super happy with this proof, but they gave me another 3 month entry. I think the next time I went it may not have been showing up in their system yet, so they only gave me another 3 months (seeing a pattern here yet? haha). When I went back after that, which was I believe September 2011, the application was finally showing in their system, and they were much friendlier (wishing me good luck, telling me they hoped my PPR came soon, etc.). They gave me a full 6 month entry at that time, which covered me up until I got PPR and landed.

I wouldn't say they were mean at all at the border (really they weren't), just appropriately skeptical of me and my status. Essentially they were doing their jobs. Haha.

My one concern for you is that you've already been in the country a significant period of time and you're asking for an extension to stay another 6 mths so you can plan your wedding and get married. I know when I saw them just two weeks before my wedding they were skeptical, and I'd only been in the country 6 mths at that point. I'm just concerned that they will deny you an extension, since you're essentially asking to be allowed to live in Canada for close to a full year before getting married and making your PR application. This was why I counseled you on your other thread to consider getting married sooner, especially if you aren't planning a big wedding. For the record we had about 10 people at our first wedding and it was no less special than the 100 person wedding we had 8 months later.

Of course, all of that said, my experience is just one out of thousands. I cannot claim to know what CIC will say when you send in your extension, and I think for $75 it is definitely worth doing. I just would make sure to have a plan B in place in case they inform you that your extension has not been granted.

[ddobro2]

So you did receive a request to send the passport at the same time, or was it just to pay the RPRF?

Ecas  has not been updated since they told us my I was approved for sponsorship ( dec 2011) . Even when the file was transferred to Seattle in Jan, nutting was mentioned.


Oh and after my phone conversation with the IO he sent my hubby the email stating that in order to finish the processing application for admission to Canada we need the following : right of perm res fee $490 we have thirty days to pay .  

The IO was super nice.... I played dumb  and told him I was worried when I pay the fee online he might not see that I paid.... He replied that he knows the minute it is in the computer the system is all connected. So that tells me they all know everything.... So why they do not update ecas more I have no idea.

[bbiery]

Hi bbiery, am not seeing you in the Buffalo spreadsheet. Would you like to be added?

http://tinyurl.com/3rpdwav

Sure, thanks. I'll keep the board posted if I hear anything.

[Eddy070]

I was in Canada already as a visitor before getting married. The difference though, is that once we decided to get married (we hadn't yet decided when I had come to stay) we chose to do it quickly. We had planned a ceremony for about a month later (so Nov. 2010), and only invited close family. When I went to the border to get my visitor status renewed (I didn't know about extensions at the time, and we're close to the border anyway) my then-fiance (now husband) and I informed them that we were getting married 2 weeks later and then starting the PR process shortly thereafter. They actually gave us a hard time about it (lots of questions, wanted to see proof of funds, looking back they were definitely asking if I had ties to the U.S. still), and at that point only gave me a 3 month entry. I was told repeatedly that I had to bring proof with me the next time around that we'd started the application process. The next time I went was before we'd sent the application in, and I didn't know you could apparently pay fees a long time in advance, so I just brought with me copies of our marriage certificate, marriage contract (a Quebec thing), my forms completely filled and signed, copy of the paper I got from the DMP after my exam, and explained that we were just waiting on my FBI check to come back and the file would be sent in. Again, they were not super happy with this proof, but they gave me another 3 month entry. I think the next time I went it may not have been showing up in their system yet, so they only gave me another 3 months (seeing a pattern here yet? haha). When I went back after that, which was I believe September 2011, the application was finally showing in their system, and they were much friendlier (wishing me good luck, telling me they hoped my PPR came soon, etc.). They gave me a full 6 month entry at that time, which covered me up until I got PPR and landed.

I wouldn't say they were mean at all at the border (really they weren't), just appropriately skeptical of me and my status. Essentially they were doing their jobs. Haha.

My one concern for you is that you've already been in the country a significant period of time and you're asking for an extension to stay another 6 mths so you can plan your wedding and get married. I know when I saw them just two weeks before my wedding they were skeptical, and I'd only been in the country 6 mths at that point. I'm just concerned that they will deny you an extension, since you're essentially asking to be allowed to live in Canada for close to a full year before getting married and making your PR application. This was why I counseled you on your other thread to consider getting married sooner, especially if you aren't planning a big wedding. For the record we had about 10 people at our first wedding and it was no less special than the 100 person wedding we had 8 months later.

Of course, all of that said, my experience is just one out of thousands. I cannot claim to know what CIC will say when you send in your extension, and I think for $75 it is definitely worth doing. I just would make sure to have a plan B in place in case they inform you that your extension has not been granted.

This mean't sound silly, but is it ok for you. What is the deference between a small and a big wedding?
If you say second wedding, is there any reason behind it, or did you guys have to get a new marriage licence for you second wedding and was a new marriage certificate issued for your second wedding?

[AmericaninQuebec]

This mean't sound silly, but is it ok for you. What is the deference between a small and a big wedding?
If you say second wedding, is there any reason behind it, or did you guys have to get a new marriage licence for you second wedding and was a new marriage certificate issued for your second wedding?

Oh no not at all. Why would we need another marriage certificate if we're already married? The first wedding was the official government recognized wedding, complete with marriage licence and certificate. The second wedding was simply a religious ceremony and a big reception with friends and family. We had the second one, because we wanted to celebrate with friends and I wanted to have the more traditional style wedding (wedding dress, exchange rings and personalized vows, etc.). It was completely a personal choice that we made, and not at all for immigration purposes (I don't think it was even mentioned in my PR application). I'm 99% certain I've seen quite a few people mention on this forum that they did something similar in that they had a small (maybe only a few people or just them, the officiant and a witness) wedding/marriage ceremony so that they could start the PR application process, and then had a larger wedding and/or party later on after they'd had time to plan it.

As for big vs. small, well I suppose that's all relative. To me a 100 person wedding was big, but I've heard of people having upwards of 400 at their wedding. In contrast, the official wedding ceremony we had first was only 11 people including myself, my husband, the officiant and photographer.

[Avila]

I GOT IT! OMG I'm so happy I'm crying! I got my PPR today....was checking my email while eating cereal and I just about spit it out when I saw the email!
"In Process" was January 26th
PPR Feb 10th

gotta go call everyone i know!