November 2012 Applicants Unite!

[IvanP]

oh boy i really hope they arent too specific about the measurement requirements for immigration photos, the guy who did mine did an awful job cutting them and had a really hard time understanding that they had to be that specific size or else theyre no good lol... i insisted he let me do it but he refused, i mean if worse comes to worse ill go and get them done again, but does anyone know where i should go to get them done instead of jsut a drug store that does regular passport photos? cause when i tell them theyre immigration photos and not for a passport they kinda look at me like they have no idea what im talking about or they say "isnt that the same thing?" even though it says right on the country specific guide that "PASSPORT PHOTOS AND IMMIGRATION PHOTOS ARE NOT THE SAME" lol.

If they are rejected, just Google Canadian immigration photos + the name of your city and you should be able to find a place that will do them. If not, go to a real photography shop - it'll cost more but they'll do it right (meaning you won't have additional delays getting your PR).

 

[nzandcanada]

Hi All,
I have a question about the final stages of the process... once you get the PR visa, how long do you have to activate it?
I may go to my partner's home country for a while since its looking like its going to be close to the end of the year before this gets approved. We want to make sure that we can come back to Canada once he is able to work here again, so it would be good to know how long we'd have once he gets approval to get our stuff in order.
Thanks!!

 

[IslandAnnie]

oh boy i really hope they arent too specific about the measurement requirements for immigration photos, the guy who did mine did an awful job cutting them and had a really hard time understanding that they had to be that specific size or else theyre no good lol... i insisted he let me do it but he refused, i mean if worse comes to worse ill go and get them done again, but does anyone know where i should go to get them done instead of jsut a drug store that does regular passport photos? cause when i tell them theyre immigration photos and not for a passport they kinda look at me like they have no idea what im talking about or they say "isnt that the same thing?" even though it says right on the country specific guide that "PASSPORT PHOTOS AND IMMIGRATION PHOTOS ARE NOT THE SAME" lol.

On the advice of several people here on these forums, we used epassportphoto.com. You take the pictures yourself with a digital camera (they give exact instructions on how to take them), then choose the country and they give the exact size options (Canadian immigration, Can Visa, Can passport, etc.) and you upload your photo, they are sized/correct head size ratio, etc. and then sent to your choice of local pharmacy for pick up. It's super easy, very cheap (about $12) and everyone seems to report they are very pleased with it. Check it out.

 

[katelynlc]

oh boy i really hope they arent too specific about the measurement requirements for immigration photos, the guy who did mine did an awful job cutting them and had a really hard time understanding that they had to be that specific size or else theyre no good lol... i insisted he let me do it but he refused, i mean if worse comes to worse ill go and get them done again, but does anyone know where i should go to get them done instead of jsut a drug store that does regular passport photos? cause when i tell them theyre immigration photos and not for a passport they kinda look at me like they have no idea what im talking about or they say "isnt that the same thing?" even though it says right on the country specific guide that "PASSPORT PHOTOS AND IMMIGRATION PHOTOS ARE NOT THE SAME" lol.

I know at our Local Shoppers Drug Mart they do passport AND immigration photos. If not there maybe try Wal-Mart or Costco? Barring that, most photography studios will know the difference (although they will be more expensive).

 

[Ms Malawi]

Hi All,
I have a question about the final stages of the process... once you get the PR visa, how long do you have to activate it?
I may go to my partner's home country for a while since its looking like its going to be close to the end of the year before this gets approved. We want to make sure that we can come back to Canada once he is able to work here again, so it would be good to know how long we'd have once he gets approval to get our stuff in order.
Thanks!!

Hi nzandcanada, usually you have until your medical or passport expire, whichever is first.

 

[Ms Malawi]

Good morning all. I just wanted to let those with updates and to be added to the spreadsheet, I have not forgotten. Just had a few technical issues which I am hoping to get figured out tonight. I will update them as soon as I can. Thanks.

And to everyone else I hope that good news is coming for everyone. Congrats to William Coates.. as it sounds like good news for sure!!!

 

[nzandcanada]

Hi nzandcanada, usually you have until your medical or passport expire, whichever is first.

Ok Thanks! He's renewing his passport right now because it expires in 6 months. However, I think the medical is only valid for a year right? So really that's just about the same time we're likely to get approval

If you are updating the spreadsheet... his medicals were done on Oct 19. We posted the app on Nov 26 and I have received confirmation that it was received on Nov 28... no updates on processing though.

 

[Ms Malawi]

Ok Thanks! He's renewing his passport right now because it expires in 6 months. However, I think the medical is only valid for a year right? So really that's just about the same time we're likely to get approval
If you are updating the spreadsheet... his medicals were done on Oct 19. We posted the app on Nov 26 and I have received confirmation that it was received on Nov 28... no updates on processing though.

Yes the medical is only good for a year.

I will make those updates tonight!!

 

[william coates]

Good morning all. I just wanted to let those with updates and to be added to the spreadsheet, I have not forgotten. Just had a few technical issues which I am hoping to get figured out tonight. I will update them as soon as I can. Thanks.

And to everyone else I hope that good news is coming for everyone. Congrats to William Coates.. as it sounds like good news for sure!!!

Thanks Ms Malawi,
Not an expert on procedure but it looks to me like this is the case. I will be going to the VO this week to present the birth certiificate and photos,,,and I will ask them if this is the case. Who knows,,,they might even answer me.. I will let you know what happens
William

 

[nzandcanada]

Yes the medical is only good for a year.

I will make those updates tonight!!

Thanks for making the updates!!
Someone suggested that the "VO" may ask for an extension on the medical. If we don't hear back about stage 1 soon they may expire during processing... would this be a case where they would extend it?

 

[bscinto92]

Im not 100% sure how that whole medical extension works, but I'm pretty sure the rules on that are if the only thing holding someone back from being approved as a permanent resident is the expiry of their medical exam, then they will request an extension for it.


Also Ms. Malawi, whenever you get the chance can you please change my information on the spreadhseet... just the visa office, it was supposed to be Ottawa but it is now Los Angeles : )
oh! and i saw on the spreadsheet that you can put your destination in Canada, so can you also add that my destination will be Hamilton, Ontario?

 

[Ms Malawi]

Thanks for making the updates!!
Someone suggested that the "VO" may ask for an extension on the medical. If we don't hear back about stage 1 soon they may expire during processing... would this be a case where they would extend it?

My understanding is that it depends. I have heard if you are close to getting your pr and all that is missing is an expired or almost expired medical, they will extend them. However, there are so many other factors, I am not sure how often this happens. And for your situation, I would think the case would be an extension if that is the only thing missing before finalizing your PR. The medical would need to be clean though for it to be extended.

Think positively!!! They senior posters usually say to wait on the medicals as they will let you know if you need to redo it.

Keep the faith and stay positive!!!!

 

[william coates]

Hey Guys,
Just recieved an email from the VO in Buenos Aires requesting my wife's passport.....Guess you could say the process is completed.......woo hoo.

 

[Ms Malawi]

Hey Guys,
Just recieved an email from the VO in Buenos Aires requesting my wife's passport.....Guess you could say the process is completed.......woo hoo.

Congrats!!! That is super exciting news!!

******Throws Confetti*******

And the confetti is for the others with pprs already!!!! Bring on good news!!! for those waiting for stage 1 and us in Stage 2!!

 

[CanadaNow]

Ms Malawi - congrats on your AOR (just saw it on the spreadsheet). Very happy for you (happy for all experiencing success but she has worked so hard for us all I will single her out ) !!!