Landed in December, getting letter for interview now?! HELP!

[Kiri]

I was approved for PR as common law back in the end of summer/fall of 2013. I landed December 4th in the AM and everything went smoothly. I've been waiting on my PR card before going to Service Canada for my SIN and such, so today... 2 months to the date when I should be getting my card I get a letter.

"RE: Permanent Resident Card Referral

This is with reference to the above noted matter. You are required to attend an interview at the local CIC.

Please report to:
addresss

Hours:

Please bring the following documents with you:
Passport
Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292)
Appointment notice
Photo (see enclosed notice to photography)

Regulation 58(3) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
There is a 180 day time-limit for clients to provide required elements to produce Permanent Resident Card in Canada. Failing to do so will require you to complete a new application for a Permanent Resident Card and pay the $50 fee should you subsequently request one after the 180 day time limit"

Okay, what is that about?

Second, we were approved under the common law marriage and we went ahead and made official for our families at the end of November before I landed to be a legal marriage in America too. That means I've changed my name. I was going to wait until I got my PR card, get a new passport and request a new PR card (which I find a lot of people do) ... should I still go this route and not mention the marriage and use my maiden name in the interview like my passport states?

I'm so confused!

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Kiri]

I also want to note that my photos they have are from May 2012... they never had me update them when they sent my app back and I resubmitted - could this be the thing? They want updated photos and are having me do another interview? I don't know why I'd be interviewed. I heard Americans don't get interviewed hardly, and on top of that I'm already landed.

 

[keesio]

In some cases, CIC will ask a new PR to pick up their PR card instead of mailing it to them. The reasons why this happen, I do not know. But it happens. Sometimes it is a logistical issue, like they lost the photo you sent them that they were going to use for the PR card so they need another one from you or they want to re-check your passport. Maybe the recent name change did throw them off? Other times, CIC may suspect you landed and the left Canada with no intention of returning other than to fulfill residency obligation. So making you coming in would cause a dilemma for you. I don't know if this really happens, but some people think CIC will do this for that purpose. But this is rare for a visa-exempt national, especially an American, since you don't NEED the PR card to return to Canada. I suspect it is the former - some logistical issue.

In any case, it happens and I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just bring the docs and you'll be fine. The only people who really sweat over this are non-visa exempt nationals who land and then go back with the expectation that the PR card will be mailed to a friend/relative in Canada who can then forward it to wherever they are so they can return to the Canada at a later date. They are forced to apply for a travel visa and such to hop in for the card.

 

[Kiri]

In some cases, CIC will ask a new PR to pick up their PR card instead of mailing it to them. The reasons why this happen, I do not know. But it happens. Sometimes it is a logistical issue, like they lost the photo you sent them that they were going to use for the PR card so they need another one from you or they want to re-check your passport. Maybe the recent name change did throw them off? Other times, CIC may suspect you landed and the left Canada with no intention of returning other than to fulfill residency obligation. So making you coming in would cause a dilemma for you. I don't know if this really happens, but some people think CIC will do this for that purpose. But this is rare for a visa-exempt national, especially an American, since you don't NEED the PR card to return to Canada. I suspect it is the former - some logistical issue.

In any case, it happens and I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just bring the docs and you'll be fine. The only people who really sweat over this are non-visa exempt nationals who land and then go back with the expectation that the PR card will be mailed to a friend/relative in Canada who can then forward it to wherever they are so they can return to the Canada at a later date. They are forced to apply for a travel visa and such to hop in for the card.

Whew. So it's probably just because my photos are from 2012 because I've been living happily in Ontario since COPR (except for the couple weeks I went to America prior to landing to visit family).

It wouldn't be the name change, I haven't submitted it yet. I'll be doing that after I clear all the PR card hurdles. Of course I'll end up having to pay for a new card, but I'm assuming it'll be easier than throwing a wrench in now.

Thanks keesio!

 

[Alurra71]

This is more or a less a quality control kind of a thing. You aren't in any trouble. It just randomly selected you to pick up your PR card is all that I am guessing.

 

[Kiri]

This is more or a less a quality control kind of a thing. You aren't in any trouble. It just randomly selected you to pick up your PR card is all that I am guessing.

Thanks!

CIC has certainly screwed around with me lol

First I submit in 2012 but they don't open it for first stage processing for 6 months. Forms were updated during that time so when they DID open it they send the whole package back without reserving a spot for me to have to reapply due to out dated forms (Their fault! If they had opened in the quoted time it would have been fine.).

Reapply in Jan 2013 and end up having to redo a chest xray later in the year (again due to their incompetence the first year so my meds expired).

Then I get Decision Made on Ecas without PPR so I'm sitting freaking out for about a month before getting COPR in the mail without PPR.

Now this. They have kept me in stitches! If I have to go in and they delay the PR card further (like wait the 2 months for them to mail after this interview) it'll be 2 years and 11 months for an OUTLAND, American application. I'm exhausted! lol