Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[Tiggilicious]

Did you get response from them by mail?

 

[quagaar145]

Hi Tiggilicious,

We wondered about whether Swaziland would be an issue. Not sure why an FBI clearance isn't sufficient since Peace Corps is governed by federal public law. I also thought our file wouldn't be examined until a few weeks later. Happy to know of this sooner than later. Our application was forwarded March 17th. Thanks!

Hi Buf-Wings,
Did you receive a letter from Buffalo about your application or was this notification done by email? I know you had emailed them previously, just wondering if that made them get going on your app a little faster.

Thanks!

 

[Love-Buf-Wings]

Hi Buf-Wings,
Did you receive a letter from Buffalo about your application or was this notification done by email? I know you had emailed them previously, just wondering if that made them get going on your app a little faster.

Thanks!

Hi Quagaar145,

My husband received a letter. He lives in Buffalo and comes to Toronto on weekends, maybe both reasons could have expedited our file.

 

[Tiggilicious]

Lucky you

 

[boomerang11]

Ooopss ! I may have missed that ! Thank you

Sparkle,
I'm new to the site and just noticed all your work on the spreadsheet! Great job! Can you add me, too, please?

My husband is Canadian (Quebecois) and is sponsoring me (US Citizen)...we both live in TX.


I can't remember all the headings so I'll just freestyle it:

Appl. sent to Mississauga - 3/11
Appl. arrived in Mississauga - 3/15
Sponsor Appl. processed - 4/14
E-cas Update..."Decision Made" - 4/15
Received Sponsorship approval letter - 4/20
E-cas Update ..."Application Received" (in Buffalo)- 4/22
Sent Undertaking & CSQ Request to Quebec - 4/22
Undertaking & CSQ Request arrived - 4/27
Telephone Question to MICC (Quebec) about something different, but they volunteered that I would receive my CSQ within 2 weeks - 5/3

That's it so far...I hope to add more soon!

Thanks so much!

 

[karla718]

Question for the folks who have had their applications transferred from Buffalo to elsewhere:

How long did it take for the other office to received your file? I emailed Detroit yesterday to inform them of an address change (per Buffalo's instructions not to use eCas). Detroit replied that our application was not in their system under either of our file numbers or names. It has been 2 weeks and change since I received the notice from Buffalo.

Should I be worried yet?

 

[Romain]

Karla718

I would not be surprised if you had an #FXXXX file number in the initial AOR from Buffalo (that you received in March) and that the email you got from Buffalo in April informing you of the transfer showed and #BXXXXX file number in the subject (despite the fact that same email says your file number has not changed etc...)

Now i believe the #BXXXX file number is the old system number and #FXXXX is the new system number.

Still i believe it is more secure to mention BOTH in all communication. (on eCAS both show "Application received on Jan 19th etc...)

 

[karla718]

Thanks Romain! I only used the FXXX initially but then included the BXXX in my subsequent reply to explain the transfer. They have already replied again to say that the file is not in their database yet and to email them again in a week. I will put off freaking out until then.

 

[Merik]

I really do hope that those dates are meant to be 2010, Otherwise that is the longest it has taken for sponsor approval that i have ever seen lol

 

[Salsalvr]

Update of Immigration times

Hi Sparkle,

Thank you so much for creating this spreadsheet. Here is my information.

Application Received in Missisauga: 02/01/2011
Application transferred to Buffalo: 03/01/2011
Application received in Buffalo: 03/10/2011

Note: Sponsoring spouse and children

This has been such an arduous experience....not just the immigration application part, but having to be separated for several months (with only weekend visits) after being together every day for 10 years, and the stress of all we are leaving behind.

Good luck to everyone on speedy turnaround times. Speaking of this, does anyone know why the Buffalo office is experiencing delays right now (budget cuts?), versus normal turnaround times.

 

[puzzle69]

Would anyone happen to know a better way to contact Buffalo besides e-mail? I e-mailed them a week and a half ago and they haven't gotten back in touch, and I can't call them. I need to repay my son's PR fee but I'm not sure if I can pay it online or if I have to send it snail mail to Buffalo. I initially paid the fee online with my application but it was refunded because Mississauga informed us he was citizenship eligible. We've since learned he is not because he is adopted. We have to go the PR route again. I'm trying to get them the payment so my application does not get held up. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance....

 

[Doiron]

A quick question:

I submitted my outland spousal application without my police certificate on 2/16. I received my police certificate on 2/17 and it is dated 2/11/11. My question is, I am waiting for my AOR to send the police (FBI) certificate so they can attach it to my file with the ID # buffalo gives me. Seeing how the 3 month timeframe would end on 5/11/11, should I get another FBI certificate to submit to buffalo when AOR arrives? or is the FBI certificate still acceptable? Thanks for your help!

 

[puzzle69]

I think I've got my answer. I found this on the Buffalo website:

"Please note: All fees for Family Class applicants must be submitted to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario using an official fee receipt (IMM5401)."

Looks like I don't have a choice. I have to pay through Mississauga (which is fine by me because I can pay online). Has anyone else had to pay fees after filing Family Class and paid through Mississauga?

 

[puzzle69]

Doiron,

I'm about 2 weeks behind you in the application process. I know through E-cas that Buffalo received my application on April 7, but I've yet to get a file# mailed to me. I don't know if you'll get your file# in time. You may have to get an updated FBI certificate if it's very close to expiring. Would anyone else agree with this? I don't know how strict Buffalo is about the expiration....

 

[Feaky Snucker]

I'm pretty sure the 3 month expiration of the police/ FBI refers to it being no older than 3 months old before Mississauga receives it.