What is the process at Buffalo for visa issuance?

[LuvHopeFear]

Hello everyone,

After two long years my family has received an email from Buffalo to bring in their passports for visa issuance. We are in a little bit of a dilemma and need some questions answered from those knowledgeable and familiar with the matter. The problem is that Buffalo set a deadline for June 6th for visa issuance. The primary applicant owes back child support (he is trying diligently to it pay off) and has a block on his U.S. passport. Of course, he does not intend to cross the border (land) until he has that cleared, however what about the deadline? Will Buffalo scan his passport to ensure its validity before stamping it? Or is it a a matter of stamping it only? How do you think this will effect our trip up to Buffalo? We have sent an email asking for an extension without explaining the situation in full (not knowing how it will be taken- don't want them to revoke their decision in anyway) but no reply yet.

Also, are we to submit photos with the passport, as we were not informed of this in our email-- if so, which kind and how many?

Please, provide all advice. Thank you very much to everyone in advance.

[AllisonVSC]

Why don't you submit the passports to Buffalo by mail?

[scylla]

Allison - I think the problem here is that the passport of the primary applicant is technically not valid due to child support owed. So the question is what will happen if you send a non-valid passport to Buffalo for visa issuance.

LuvHopeFear - Unfortunately I don't know the answer to your question.

[BZ Mom]

I suggest you go to Buffalo personally. I don't know what "block on US passport means" (does this mean the PA cannot travel outside of the US? but has physical possession of the passport?). What is needed is a valid passport. Does the "block" makes the passport invalid?
If you have the passport, you can go to Buffalo and have the visa stamped. At least, whatever issues can be cleared with them right away. You can check the Buffalo CIC website for all the information on photo specifications and walk-in procedures for visa issuance.
I have been to Buffalo for the visa isssuance, and it took me only 35 minutes to have it stamped.

Best of luck!

[spiritrac]

Does he owe back child support in the USA? I would suggest mailing the passport to the Visa Office I dont think the Canadian Visa office can hold on to a US passport since the passport is the property of the USA Government.

[LuvHopeFear]

Yes "block" on passport means he has the passport in his possession but until he pays his balance to zero, then he isn't allowed to travel outside of U.S. The passport itself is valid. The primary applicant is only 2 hours away from Buffalo so the drive would be more worthwhile.

[BZ Mom]

Good! Then it's best for him to go to CIC Buffalo.

Instructions for passport submission

Passports can be brought to the following address:

Canadian Consulate General
3000 HSBC Center, 30th Floor
Buffalo, NY   14203

Passports may be brought in on Tuesday or Thursday between the hours of 8:00 am and 11:00 am. Bring the visa request with you when you come.
Please ensure that the passport of the principal applicant and all accompanying dependants are brought in together.

For security reasons, the Canadian Consulate General limits access to the Visa Office waiting room and does not allow the entry of luggage, recording or transmitting devices into the waiting room or interview areas. This includes all types of cell phones and laptop computers.

[Rinnerz]

The real question is... when do his medicals expire? His PR visa is likely to have an expiry date that matches the 1 year anniversary of his medical exam. You wouldn't want to be in a situation where he has his PR visa but can't land in time because these child support payments he owes mean he can't even leave the country... Hopefully he can have the payments made and the block removed from his US passport in time to land.