Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[AmericaninQuebec]

Just a quick update to say I went through the process of getting my Quebec driver's license this morning. It was relatively fast and painless, to be quite honest. I called 2 weeks ago and got an appointment. Brought my passport with COPR, my CSQ, and my U.S. driver's license with me. I was called by name, the clerk took my documents and started filling out the paperwork. She had to make some calls to confirm that my U.S. license was real since it wasn't coming up in her automated system (took about 10 minutes). Then she had me sign a document with my info on it, which she then signed saying my request for an exchange was approved. I was given a paper provisional license that I am to keep on me until my official driver's license comes in the mail (should be here by the 24th). Other than that she made me pay a pro-rated fee for the rest of the year, since I'll have to renew the same month as my birthday. Then they took my photo and signature for the card, and sent me on my way. They didn't even make me do an eye test, and they took my word for it when I said I'd had my license for over 10 yrs (which I have). Took a total of an hour, including wait time.

Tomorrow I'm going to start the process of importing/exporting my car. I realized today that maybe I did it backwards (should have done car first then license), but I have a copy of my old driver's license so hopefully they won't give me trouble.

[AmericaninQuebec]

Also, I just posted the below on a thread dealing with importing a car from the U.S., and thought I'd share this info with you guys as well.

"Just a note, because I was on the phone with RIV yesterday afternoon about importing my car. I have a 2006 Chevy, and when I called a local dealership in Canada about getting a recall clearance letter I was directed to GM Canada who then directed me to a private company that charges $270 for that information. I was absolutely pissed, and called RIV about this. They informed me that actually, I should wait to get this information, because the first thing RIV is going to do once I import my car is to do a Carfax check on it. If the car comes up in its Carfax check with no recall then they won't make me get a recall letter.

Just wanted to pass that along, because it's definitely NOT the information that they list on the RIV website.

Also, you can check if your car is in Carfax just by going to website and entering in the VIN. You can't see the report unless you pay (it's $35), but at least you'll know the info is there for them to find."

This was info given directly by a manager at RIV, and I was provided with a confirmation number for the conversation in case I wanted to contact them about it again.

[awor]

Well they're working on my file in LA, but:

Dear Madam,
This concerns your application for permanent residence in Canada.
We have received your children's medical assessments, but have not yet received your assessment.  Please advise whether you took your medical examinations together with your children, if not, kindly provide the date and name of the doctor where you took you examinations.

I immediately emailed them back to let them know my exam was done at the same time, same place as my kids'. I sure hope they find it soon.

[awor]

Yay, PPR email from LA!

I am very happy but a bit surprised, I thought they sent a COPR for USA citizens, but they are very clear about sending my actual passport.

Congrats!!!
I think so far I've only heard of one person getting the COPR sent instead of PPR, and it was from Detroit. I don't know what needs to be in place to get the COPR directly!

[awor]

If by change you do get turned down. How do you go about getting your refund if you paid for everything up front?

It's automatic, the fees should be refunded in 6 weeks if I remember right.

[veronica.law]

Congratulations on your AOR, and officially being yellow on our spreadsheet!

Anyone has any idea how long approx. will get PPR after you have received AOR? (assuming that all the police n medical check has been done n passed)

[AmericaninQuebec]

Anyone has any idea how long approx. will get PPR after you have received AOR? (assuming that all the police n medical check has been done n passed)

No, unfortunately it's a crap shoot. Some people never even get AOR, and even among those that do there is no consensus of how long it will be after that before PPR. Such is dealing with Buffalo.  Though it seems like the satellite offices are being very efficient lately.

[g-man]

Also, I just posted the below on a thread dealing with importing a car from the U.S., and thought I'd share this info with you guys as well.

"Just a note, because I was on the phone with RIV yesterday afternoon about importing my car. I have a 2006 Chevy, and when I called a local dealership in Canada about getting a recall clearance letter I was directed to GM Canada who then directed me to a private company that charges $270 for that information. I was absolutely pissed, and called RIV about this. They informed me that actually, I should wait to get this information, because the first thing RIV is going to do once I import my car is to do a Carfax check on it. If the car comes up in its Carfax check with no recall then they won't make me get a recall letter.

Just wanted to pass that along, because it's definitely NOT the information that they list on the RIV website.

Also, you can check if your car is in Carfax just by going to website and entering in the VIN. You can't see the report unless you pay (it's $35), but at least you'll know the info is there for them to find."

This was info given directly by a manager at RIV, and I was provided with a confirmation number for the conversation in case I wanted to contact them about it again.

Good info! I'll be doing down this path in a few months as well (hopefully)!

[g-man]

No, unfortunately it's a crap shoot. Some people never even get AOR, and even among those that do there is no consensus of how long it will be after that before PPR. Such is dealing with Buffalo.  Though it seems like the satellite offices are being very efficient lately.

Makes me wonder how it is determined if one's application is sent to a satellite or not

[AllisonVSC]

Also, I just posted the below on a thread dealing with importing a car from the U.S., and thought I'd share this info with you guys as well.

"Just a note, because I was on the phone with RIV yesterday afternoon about importing my car. I have a 2006 Chevy, and when I called a local dealership in Canada about getting a recall clearance letter I was directed to GM Canada who then directed me to a private company that charges $270 for that information. I was absolutely pissed, and called RIV about this. They informed me that actually, I should wait to get this information, because the first thing RIV is going to do once I import my car is to do a Carfax check on it. If the car comes up in its Carfax check with no recall then they won't make me get a recall letter.

Just wanted to pass that along, because it's definitely NOT the information that they list on the RIV website.

Also, you can check if your car is in Carfax just by going to website and entering in the VIN. You can't see the report unless you pay (it's $35), but at least you'll know the info is there for them to find."

This was info given directly by a manager at RIV, and I was provided with a confirmation number for the conversation in case I wanted to contact them about it again.

Yeah, fortunately when I called my car manufacturer in Canada about the recall letter, the person I spoke to said it would be free if I called the US office for it.

[AllisonVSC]

Thanks for the info! I tried to find the CIC's vehicle import website, but no luck, can you post a link here?

I guess that was Seattle IO,if I am not wrong. I am planning to cross a border through either Detroit or Buffalo. Is there any tax/import fee on the vehicle?

Thanks a ton! Goodluck for the crossing!

It's the Registry of Imported Vehicles       www.riv.ca

[Calgary-Bound]

Well I have reached the one year mark with no word at all from Buffalo.

[GOGOGO]

Congratulations doublemint! Do you mind sharing your timeline for our reference please?

Edit: Never mind, I think I've got it:

App sent: 7/27/2011
App rcvd: 8/4/2011
Transferred to Bflo: 10/14/2011
File transfer to LA: 12/7/2011
In Process: 1/4/2012
PPR: 2/14/2012

Yay, PPR email from LA!

I am very happy but a bit surprised, I thought they sent a COPR for USA citizens, but they are very clear about sending my actual passport.

[StateOfConfusion]

Well I have reached the one year mark with no word at all from Buffalo.

I'm so sorry.    I hope you hear from them soon. 

[GOGOGO]

If they're looking at your medicals now, would it mean you're at the final stage, hopefully?

Well they're working on my file in LA, but:I immediately emailed them back to let them know my exam was done at the same time, same place as my kids'. I sure hope they find it soon.