Manila Tread for English Speakers - join here!

[Steph C]

There are plenty of Manila threads, but all in Tagalog, so I thought we need to start one in English for those of us who can't participate - for example, Canadian spouses of Filipinos, or applicants from Japan and other countries that are processed though Manila.

 

[Steph C]

Ok so here's my first question! Has anybody ever gone to the CDN Embassy in Manila to inquire about their application? I heard they will take inquiries from Canadians and I was wondering if it would help at all if I went there to inquire since I am in the Phils at the moment.

 

[truesmile]

OK I'm in! I was there once while SOMEONE ELSE was there trying to get answers concerning "taking his wife home". Now I don't know if he was in the right place or not, but I can tell you they were having NONE OF IT! He even claimed to have travelled 6 hours by bus to get there. They wanted him to contact them in writing or something. Now I vaguely recall another forumer saying they always got their questions answered and in a spirit of friendliness too . . . maybe those were 'easy' questions. (May have been a different VO too.)

 

[Steph C]

Oh no! I know one guy in our thread was going to try visiting the Embassy. Hope it works out for him!

 

[truesmile]

Just hope he doesn't waste a lot of time getting there and back to and from wherever home-base is.

 

[Dan_from_Surrey]

Oh oh oh I need this thread in a bad way my wife is in the Phil's right now as we work on getting her here (finally!) but I only know a couple of words of Tag (so far) and lets just say they may not be appropriate for mixed company (funny how you always pick up the bad words the easiest ) great idea for a thread!

 

[Dan_from_Surrey]

Ok so here's my first question! Has anybody ever gone to the CDN Embassy in Manila to inquire about their application? I heard they will take inquiries from Canadians and I was wondering if it would help at all if I went there to inquire since I am in the Phils at the moment.

Well it certainly couldn't hurt, especially if the Embassy is not to far away from where you are. Tell them if they don't hurry up, they are all getting coal in their stockings for Christmas

 

[truesmile]

Yes, but they stand/sit behind the glass over there (maybe bullet-proof glass for security, even though nary a cell-phone is allowed in that area) and not to diminish administrative tasks necessary but I'm betting that the front-line person (behind the glass) is only a 'clerk' or other 'titled employee' without the opportunity to update anyone on the status of their application.

 

[Luckyman]

Great Thread!!

Bookmarked, and subscribed!

Thanks....I've been waiting for this.

 

[truesmile]

Hey folks, CanadianJeepGuy just posted his progess in his visit to CEM on the May applicants thread. You probably saw it but for others don't hang around "May", here's an excerpt:

"The guards on the main floor would not even let me up. Unlike last year there has been a change in policy. Any and all immigration matters must be done via internet, post or phone. I explained to the guards that those methods are either impossible to get a response from or you don't get the answer you are looking for. He gave us a form to fill out to include our questions that would be replied to by an officer upstairs. After more than a week there has been no reply.
In short it was a waste of time."

 

[Luckyman]

I understand.... But why would we need to go there un announced anyway? I mean, I'd rather them working on applications than answering questions, and we know the same questions come on this forum time and time again... And lots of them are clearly explained in the guide or instructions.

 

[AnaMaria]

Thanks, Steph, for opening up this thread! I don't understand a word in Tagalog, so this is great. Now I just received an email message from Manila. I don't know whether they are requesting documents or just sending AOR. To be honest, I am so nervous!

I received an email message from Manila VO just now. Is it an AOR at VO or what? I don't see any documents requested in this letter, even though it says "Once you have complied with this request" and "the documentation requested in this letter is required". I suppose this is standard message. Anyone has any idea how they request documents? Do they make them with bullet points? Which part of the body message do they request documents, e.g. beginning, middle or end?

Dear xxxx:

This refers to your application for permanent residence in Canada which was received at the Embassy of Canada in Manila on August 6, 2012

A file has been created with the application number noted above. Please ensure that you quote this application number in any future correspondence with our office.

Once you have complied with this request, if any additional information or documentation is required to assess your application, we will contact you or your designated representative.

Please note that the documentation requested in this letter is required even if you receive a subsequent letter from our office asking for additional documentation.

Due to limited resources dedicated to processing the thousands of applications currently in process, we are unable to respond to requests for status updates on your file if they fall within the average processing times.

......

Manila applicants, I have a gut feeling that we will be receiving messages from Manila VO this week! Fingers crossed!

 

[tuyen]

Ok so here's my first question! Has anybody ever gone to the CDN Embassy in Manila to inquire about their application? I heard they will take inquiries from Canadians and I was wondering if it would help at all if I went there to inquire since I am in the Phils at the moment.

I've said this already in another thread, but I'm happy to repeat it here, because I think many people need to hear it:

The more you nag the people who are working on your application, the more likely it will be that you will experience unexpected and mysterious delays.

I know everyone wants their application to be processed and approved instantly, but that's not how the system works. Just try and be patient, and instead of focusing on "yet another day without a response", try turning that into "yet another day that brings us closer to being together".

Living in a constant state of frustration will not speed up your application. And nagging people at your visa office or at CIC will most likely INCREASE your waiting time.

Be patient, and don't pay them a visit in person or call or e-mail or send them letters or get your local politicians involved UNLESS you're PAST the 100% processing time for applications at your visa office.

 

[Nash13]

Thanks, Steph, for opening up this thread! I don't understand a word in Tagalog, so this is great. Now I just received an email message from Manila. I don't know whether they are requesting documents or just sending AOR. To be honest, I am so nervous!

Don't be nervous Ana Maria the email that you received is just a AOR

 

[Steph C]

Good News Ana Maria! Your application is going very quickly. We have still not heard from Manila although they were able to implement an address change upon my request and it showed up in ECAS.

I just noticed my typo in the thread title. lol. Been in the Philippines a little too long already ???