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Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

Rinnerz

Hero Member
Apr 8, 2010
431
14
123
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
12-10-2010
AOR Received.
14-12-2010
File Transfer...
09-11-2010
Med's Done....
29-07-2010
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
08-07-2011
VISA ISSUED...
07-07-2011
LANDED..........
02-08-2011

navigator4309

Newbie
Jul 13, 2011
6
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
10-02-2011
AOR Received.
15-07-2011
File Transfer...
10-03-2011
Med's Done....
25-01-2011
Hooray! Buffalo replied to my status request with my file number! It's disappointing that they haven't been on top of sending the AOR's as they create the files, but I also doubt they are creating the file simply in response to our requests. So I assume they did create the files at some point, but never sent an AOR with the number (perhaps in light of the new system and backlog, etc.), and that was the end of it.

It may not mean much in terms of processing times if the file's already been in progress, but at least now I'm not ignorant as to what's going on! :) :D
 

eletyl

Star Member
Mar 28, 2011
113
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
31-12-2010
AOR Received.
11-04-2011
Med's Done....
20-12-2010
Passport Req..
23-07-2011
VISA ISSUED...
02-08-2011
LANDED..........
02-08-2011
Buffalo finally responded today to our email to confirm that they resent the correspondence. they said they sent it on July 7th, and to expect it in 4-6 weeks from that date (they ignored our request to be emailed or faxed instead). however, there is now a new problem..

as a reminder, they first emailed us on June 30th to notify us that a correspondence they had mailed us was mysteriously returned to them. (I have no idea when it was mailed out the first time, given the postal strike, I wouldn't be surprised if it was late May). they listed the address they had on file - and it was perfect - so I can only suspect that whomever mailed it copied down the address incorrectly from their file. that same day, June 30th, we confirmed that the address they had was correct, and also gave them an alternative one.

starting about a week later, we sent them about 2-3 other emails to try and confirm that the correspondence was indeed resent, and to ask that it instead be emailed or faxed, if possible. no response for weeks.

so it turns out that they resent it on July 7th, and they just told us now - however, they used the alternative address we gave them. and they listed it in this email.. with the postal code WRONG. it's just the last number, so maybe it won't make a huge difference. but TWO address errors in a row, on their part?

haven't they ever heard of the copy & paste function?!
 

sparkle

Hero Member
Feb 16, 2010
375
14
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
So I emailed Buffalo...because I just couldn't handle not hearing at all from them...and I got this response just now -

B#########

Dear Madam / Sir,

Your application is in queue for review. An exact review schedule is not yet available. No further action is required by you at this time.

We thank you for your patience and for keeping your correspondence to a minimum.


Regards,

Canadian Consulate General Buffalo
Immigration Section
www.buffalo.gc.ca


I had F##### file number, but they replied to me this time with a B#### on top.

It seems like they haven't even reviewed my file !~!~??
 

destanova

Full Member
Jan 3, 2011
40
1
Toronto, Ontario
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
10Feb2011
File Transfer...
24Mar2011
Med's Done....
24Jan2011
Passport Req..
04Oct2011
sparkle: I just got the SAME email. It was so disheartening to see, as I was hoping to be one of those files that was in process and just hadn't had an ECAS update. It's still in a pile somewhere, and hasn't even been looked at yet! SO frustrating. It's only been 5 months, I know.. but it pisses me off that others that sent in their app after us are getting PPR already!

I am losing all hope of this being done in a timely manner. My husband and I are going to have to start looking at leaving Canada to have our baby elsewhere. :(
 

sparkle

Hero Member
Feb 16, 2010
375
14
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Hey destanova....

I hope things speed up soon :( I hate living all by myself .... but unfortunately it's like my entire life and happiness depends on Buffalo to speed up!!

I emailed them once in June, and they sent me that generic response that my file is in process. But now they send me this response! So I don't know, has ti been opened at all or no !
 

karish1978

Star Member
May 11, 2011
83
2
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Delhi
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
20-05-2011
File Transfer...
22-07-2011
Med's Done....
20-04-2011~ Medicals Received Dec 3rd 2011
Interview........
17-04-2011 rejected. Appealled May 2012, Appeal won May 30, 2014
Passport Req..
Inshallah Soon
VISA ISSUED...
Inshallah Soon
LANDED..........
Inshallah Soon
Hi ,

I hope everyone applications get processed faster. Is it true that the buffalo office is closed on wednesday? With such a back log you'd think that they would be working 5 days a week.
 

Rinnerz

Hero Member
Apr 8, 2010
431
14
123
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
12-10-2010
AOR Received.
14-12-2010
File Transfer...
09-11-2010
Med's Done....
29-07-2010
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
08-07-2011
VISA ISSUED...
07-07-2011
LANDED..........
02-08-2011
From what I gather, a file "being in queue for review" does NOT mean it hasn't been looked at yet. There are several stages to processing a file. Your file is in queue for review for one of those stages, most likely. For all you know, it could be in queue for FINAL review. There's no way to know.

If they told you your file is in process, it probably is. Don't rely on them to keep you informed; it's not really their job, unless something comes up. As cases like mine have shown, you need to order your CAIPS notes if you want to get a better idea of what's going on.

@ karish: Buffalo is closed to the PUBLIC on Wednesdays. People have had updates from them on Wednesdays before, so they likely still work those days but just don't deal with the public.

Edited to add: From their own website: "The office is closed to the public on Wednesdays. No in-person applications may be submitted on Wednesdays."
 

CandC2009

Star Member
Mar 28, 2011
165
3
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
11/2010
AOR Received.
31/03/2011
File Transfer...
26/01/2011 (Buffalo received)
Med's Done....
10/2010
karish1978 said:
Hi ,

I hope everyone applications get processed faster. Is it true that the buffalo office is closed on wednesday? With such a back log you'd think that they would be working 5 days a week.
I think they're just closed to the public, and walk ins. I think they are there working on files.
 

spiritrac

Hero Member
Feb 17, 2011
273
5
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo/Port of Spain
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
16-12-2010
AOR Received.
06-04-2011
File Transfer...
26-01-2011
Med's Done....
12-09-2010
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
29-7-2011 Buffalo/ waiting on POS
VISA ISSUED...
Buffalo 8/31 POS TBD
LANDED..........
Sept 4,2011 POS Waiting
Rinnerz I agree with your post and after the analysis I did with Sparkle's spreadsheet and a post that cindy 1 posted with information from 2007 not a large percentage of cases are completed in 3 to 5 months several cases take 7 months or longer. We will drive our minds crazy if we look at others who are getting thru faster than we are and the wait we are experiencing

Below is that quote from cindy1's post


Cindy1 said:
spiritrac I did a quick search and couldn't find recent information, but I stumbled across a Buffalo profile page dates reflect 07/08 info

http://www.capic.ca/newsfiles/Winter%202008%20-%20Buffalo.pdf




Type of Permanent Resident Application
30% of cases finalized in: (3 months)
50% of cases finalized in: (5months)
70% of cases finalized in: (7months)
80% of cases finalized in: (9months)
 

Romain

Star Member
Jan 9, 2011
58
2
Kitchener Ontario
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
10-12-2010
AOR Received.
15-03-2011
File Transfer...
13-01-2010
Med's Done....
07-12-2010
Well the numbers you are showing are for 'Process complete'
PPR are usually issued about a month before that....
Even before PPR you would expect some sort of IA, Interview waived (or not LOL) well anything to keep you reassured that things are moving forward.

As far as i am concerned what is really driving me nuts is that i am still in Application received on January 19th, file transferred to NYC on April 19th.
And NO progress visible on my GCMS notes, looks like the file has not been reviewed at all !
GMCS notes show all activities not started.... due date march 2012....
 

spiritrac

Hero Member
Feb 17, 2011
273
5
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo/Port of Spain
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
16-12-2010
AOR Received.
06-04-2011
File Transfer...
26-01-2011
Med's Done....
12-09-2010
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
29-7-2011 Buffalo/ waiting on POS
VISA ISSUED...
Buffalo 8/31 POS TBD
LANDED..........
Sept 4,2011 POS Waiting
The numbers on Sparkle's spreadsheet are actually PPR received if you went back earlier to my original post you would noticed that I pointed that out

I am still hoping that some of the November and December applicants will see some further movement.

In doing a little analysis not in-depth as I would in my field as an analyst of Sparkle's spreadsheet Buffalo has truly slowed down in getting to PPR there is 1 person from September 1 from October 7 from November and 13 from December that have not yet gotten PPR's

It seems like the average time for buffalo based on the reporting on the sheet in July 5 months with 1 person obtaining in 68 days and 1 person 259 days August 3 months 1 person over 250 days September 3 in 65 days and 4 took 4 to 5 months October 4 1/2 months 1 took 8 months and 1 not yet completed November lowest was 111 days and the highest 161 days others are still waiting for over 7 months Average 4 months December is tricky ranges from 4 months to 7 months and counting. Overall for December they were 18 applicants thats the most I have seen for any month 5 has been completed 2 in 4 months 1 in 5 months 1 in 6 months and 1 in 7 months.

Will take a look at January and February shortly February had quite a number of Applications also

[
[/quote]
 

chess101

Star Member
Mar 3, 2011
103
2
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
18-08-10
AOR Received.
07-10-10
File Transfer...
10-09-10
Med's Request
Done Before
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
Sept 07
I don't know what to do anymore, it's been almost a year since we sent the application, (aug 2010)
didn't get any news this week :( I guess they're taking their time reviewing the additional info( we sent additional common law proof), I'm just worried that his medicals are going to expire before they issue PPR :(
 

Romain

Star Member
Jan 9, 2011
58
2
Kitchener Ontario
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
10-12-2010
AOR Received.
15-03-2011
File Transfer...
13-01-2010
Med's Done....
07-12-2010
spiritrac said:
The numbers on Sparkle's spreadsheet are actually PPR received if you went back earlier to my original post you would noticed that I pointed that out
T0 : Application submitted to CIC-Mississauga
T1: Application received at VO Buffalo
T2: PPR
T3: Processing Complete (Passport received by the applicant with proper stamp)

What i was trying to say is:

- Sparkle's excel sheet measures : T2 - T0
- The document from CIC showing statistics on Buffalo VO processing time in 2007 measures : T3 - T1
 

spiritrac

Hero Member
Feb 17, 2011
273
5
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo/Port of Spain
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
16-12-2010
AOR Received.
06-04-2011
File Transfer...
26-01-2011
Med's Done....
12-09-2010
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
29-7-2011 Buffalo/ waiting on POS
VISA ISSUED...
Buffalo 8/31 POS TBD
LANDED..........
Sept 4,2011 POS Waiting
Thanks Romain. we can then add the 30 to 45 days it takes CIC Mississauga to the days which would probably add a month to the overall 2007/8 processing times.

Anyway, its the end of another week which means we are closer to having our cases processed and be re united with loved ones lets take the weekend and enjoy ourselves however we can knowing that everyday alive is a good day.

Strive to be Happy