INLAND APPLICATIONS 2012

[bethfaint]

When i spoke to a lawyer about the strike and some general other questions he said the strike is for foreign office personnel, so not actually people processing visa's in Canada. However, beacause they are not processing visa's abroad they are being passed onto processing centres like Vegreville (back in Canada) slowing inland processing times down.

I think if you applied in November you should hear something in October. I applied on October 26th 2012 and heard back about first stage processing on Septmeber 11th 2013. I also applied for my OWP at the same time and they approved it along with my first stage processing.

 

[screech339]

When i spoke to a lawyer about the strike and some general other questions he said the strike is for foreign office personnel, so not actually people processing visa's in Canada. However, beacause they are not processing visa's abroad they are being passed onto processing centres like Vegreville (back in Canada) slowing inland processing times down.

I think if you applied in November you should hear something in October. I applied on October 26th 2012 and heard back about first stage processing on Septmeber 11th 2013. I also applied for my OWP at the same time and they approved it along with my first stage processing.

What your lawyer said about visa application being transferred to vegreville due to strike abroad made sense. There was an article in a newpaper that the foreign strike affects permanent resident applications the hardest. The PR applications approved has gone down while student/tourist visas has gone up for foreign applications.

Screech339

 

[RRSweet]

When i spoke to a lawyer about the strike and some general other questions he said the strike is for foreign office personnel, so not actually people processing visa's in Canada. However, beacause they are not processing visa's abroad they are being passed onto processing centres like Vegreville (back in Canada) slowing inland processing times down.

I think if you applied in November you should hear something in October. I applied on October 26th 2012 and heard back about first stage processing on Septmeber 11th 2013. I also applied for my OWP at the same time and they approved it along with my first stage processing.

Sigh ... not sure why us inland apps are put on the back burner and I don't know how much longer this could possibly continue. Its so hard watching my husband sit home everyday, but I keep telling him to have patience and faith. Easier said than done!

 

[bethfaint]

Sigh ... not sure why us inland apps are put on the back burner and I don't know how much longer this could possibly continue. Its so hard watching my husband sit home everyday, but I keep telling him to have patience and faith. Easier said than done!

More people come here on vistor's visa's then on Inland Spousal applications. Having worked for a British Embassy visa processing office before, I know how many applications for visitors visa's come through every day. And that was in Bucharest, Romania. I can't imagine how many come through in bigger cities/countries than that. I think they assume because we are already in Canada we can wait it out longer.

I feel very lucky that I originally came here on a work permit and had implied status during my 10 month wait. I coultn leave the country and had no health care but at least I could work and had something to pass the time. I would recommend to anyone to apply for their OWP at the same time as their PR application.

 

[QuebecOkie]

Got my PR card photos done at Costco and sent them and the rest of the requested info back to the Montréal CIC today, express post. Hoping to hear back soon about a landing appointment. Especially with the wait time getting a bit longer for PR card delivery.

The good news? The photos I just had done are WAY cuter than the "I'm a felon being admitted to prison and I'm obviously not happy about it" photos I had done (wrong size) before my medical appointment back in February.

 

[screech339]

Got my PR card photos done at Costco and sent them and the rest of the requested info back to the Montréal CIC today, express post. Hoping to hear back soon about a landing appointment. Especially with the wait time getting a bit longer for PR card delivery.

The good news? The photos I just had done are WAY cuter than the "I'm a felon being admitted to prison and I'm obviously not happy about it" photos I had done (wrong size) before my medical appointment back in February.

At least with costco and most photo shops, they take multiple pictures to help you decide which pic is the best pic.

Screech339

 

[QuebecOkie]

She just took one, but she showed it to me, and it was fine. She was very nice, and I *barely* needed my husband's help. (My French is getting better, but it's not great. I almost accidentally agreed that I wanted deux paquets (packs of two) instead of just one pack of two photos. Husband caught that for me.) I was a bit surprised. She instantly knew what to do when I asked for photos for my "residence permanent." I wouldn't have thought the Chicoutimi Costco sees a lot of immigrant traffic.

 

[screech339]

She just took one, but she showed it to me, and it was fine. She was very nice, and I *barely* needed my husband's help. (My French is getting better, but it's not great. I almost accidentally agreed that I wanted deux paquets (packs of two) instead of just one pack of two photos. Husband caught that for me.) I was a bit surprised. She instantly knew what to do when I asked for photos for my "residence permanent." I wouldn't have thought the Chicoutimi Costco sees a lot of immigrant traffic.

At least you got to see picture and have a say in getting a redo. Whereas good luck in convincing the person at Ontario Service to see your one time shot picture for driver licence or health card.

Screech339

 

[QuebecOkie]

Yep! Her friendliness was appreciated. I was happy to have better photos, as getting my PR card will be a HUGE moment in my life, and it will be nice to have a photo on it I don't find repulsive. Small thing in the grand scheme of things, I know, but still a nice small thing.

 

[Tomorisu]

@ QuebecOkie

I'm glad that you got better photos. ;D
The photo which I sent with my applications was awful. I'm relieved that those are not used for PR card.

 

[dawnng]

Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The big day is fixed!

I'm set with an appointment at CIC Scarborough on 2 October! Finally, everything is moving so fast...OMG what a relief. For all who is waiting, you will be next. Good luck everyone!

 

[screech339]

Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The big day is fixed!

I'm set with an appointment at CIC Scarborough on 2 October! Finally, everything is moving so fast...OMG what a relief. For all who is waiting, you will be next. Good luck everyone!

Congrats dawnng,

I have updated your landing date on timesheet.

Screechr39

 

[QuebecOkie]

Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The big day is fixed!

I'm set with an appointment at CIC Scarborough on 2 October! Finally, everything is moving so fast...OMG what a relief. For all who is waiting, you will be next. Good luck everyone!

Congrats, Dawn! The end is truly in sight now!

@ QuebecOkie

I'm glad that you got better photos. ;D
The photo which I sent with my applications was awful. I'm relieved that those are not used for PR card.

The photos you sent may the the ones used for the PR card? I didn't send PR photos with my app (one of *several* things I overlooked in my general confusion about the process). Then I got passport-sized photos done for my medical exam, so I had to go get new ones done in the correct PR size today.

 

[Tomorisu]

The photos you sent may the the ones used for the PR card? I didn't send PR photos with my app (one of *several* things I overlooked in my general confusion about the process). Then I got passport-sized photos done for my medical exam, so I had to go get new ones done in the correct PR size today.

I don't know. As long as I read this forum, I think every applicants are asked to bring 2 photos when they have their landing interview. So, I thought that the photo I sent with my app is not used for PR card. Am I wrong? ???

 

[screech339]

I don't know. As long as I read this forum, I think every applicants are asked to bring 2 photos when they have their landing interview. So, I thought that the photo I sent with my app is not used for PR card. Am I wrong? ???

I would have thought that too when we complied the application together. The 2 PR pics sent in application would be used for PR cards. Apparently I thought wrong at the time. Perhaps these pics are meant to stay with the application itself in vegreville when filed. And the PR pics at landing are to be used in Halifax processing for new PR card. One for record keeping in Halifax and one for card.

Screech339