pls reply Ottwa OR NY OR LA

[saria1]

yep, those who get called in for an interview are actually NOT given a choice anymore (regardless of that form that asks you to choose an office). Everyone who's been called in for an interview have been required to go to LA. I don't think NY handles family class applications anymore, and since ottawa is not in the US, i would think it would be difficult to require applicants to enter canada for immigration interviews (since CBSA handles entries, not CIC).

Welp, I broke the bad news to my husband.. If we get called for an interview, we'll have to take a last minute road trip from Jersey to Cali.... Oh the dread, just shoot me now!

Is there any reason they would interview, beyond looking at a marriage of convenience? We're definitely not that, and he's got a clean history. I can't imagine getting called for one, but those are always the famous last words that'll drive the nail into the coffin. :-\

 

[rhcohen2014]

Welp, I broke the bad news to my husband.. If we get called for an interview, we'll have to take a last minute road trip from Jersey to Cali.... Oh the dread, just shoot me now!

Is there any reason they would interview, beyond looking at a marriage of connivence? We're definitely not that, and he's got a clean history. I can't imagine getting called for one, but those are always the famous last words that'll drive the nail into the coffin. :-\

usually, the reasons are related to criminal issues, dependant issues(mostly related to joint custody issues) and relationship issues. there's also a chance of getting an interview if information in the application is wrong. if you've been together for a while, and submitted enough proof to show an ongoing relationship, i wouldn't worry too much about an interview.

 

[Ponga]

There have been a few cases reported where CIC has sent the application to NY or LA at random, as part of their `quality control' initiative, but I don't believe that any of those resulted in an interview as well, only substantially longer processing times!

Even then, the number was infinitesimal.

 

[rhcohen2014]

There have been a few cases reported where CIC has sent the application to NY or LA at random, as part of their `quality control' initiative, but I don't believe that any of those resulted in an interview as well, only substantially longer processing times!

Even then, the number was infinitesimal.

that hasn't been reported for 2014 applications. that happened in 2013 and earlier, probably related to the office closures and condensing of responsibilities. and again, there are no files that are reported to be sent to NY, it is ONLY LA. does this mean this can happen, again, sure. does this mean it's the norm, absolutely not. the only files reported to be in LA for 2014 were those who required interviews. interview time lines seem to be about 12-16 months.

 

[Ponga]

While I agree that we've not seen this in the 2014 threads, we can't forget that what we see here in these forums does not encompass the majority of what CIC actually receives.

Who knows what other applicants, that have yet to find this amazing website, have gone through!

 

[Evadyrrehs]

You'd think with the amount of applications and the geographical size and population of both the USA and Canada, they'd at least have a visa office on each US coast and one in the middle of the States somewhere as a bare minimum to handle these cases.. So hoping we don't get called for an interview. ??? Imagine the people who are already right in NY and getting called for an interview and then having to go all the way to LA now, that would really suck.

 

[rhcohen2014]

You'd think with the amount of applications and the geographical size and population of both the USA and Canada, they'd at least have a visa office on each US coast and one in the middle of the States somewhere as a bare minimum to handle these cases.. So hoping we don't get called for an interview. ??? Imagine the people who are already right in NY and getting called for an interview and then having to go all the way to LA now, that would really suck.

apparently there used to be or else why would they put a form with options listed? i'm assuming there were multiple office closures when all the processing was moved to ottawa. there are plenty of applicants from the east coast that have to fly to LA for an interview that reportedly does not last very long. definitely sucky.

 

[Evadyrrehs]

apparently there used to be or else why would they put a form with options listed? i'm assuming there were multiple office closures when all the processing was moved to ottawa. there are plenty of applicants from the east coast that have to fly to LA for an interview that reportedly does not last very long. definitely sucky.

I seem to remember when I was first filling out the forms back in the summer of 2014 that there were three choices for the interview location on the form. NY, Detroit, and LA. Then later the form was updated around August or September and only included NY and LA. When we mailed off our package we updated all the forms and copied the info over a day or two before we mailed them just to be safe.. That's why it was such a shock a month or two ago when I mentioned in a thread somewhere about the interviews in NY and you mentioned that it's only LA now for interviews. We would have never realized about that so thank you RH even though the news totally bites! 8) My wife is terrified of flying too just like saria1 mentioned about her husband so not sure what we will do there, yikes! Anyhow if we get notice for an interview we'll have to make the best of it and be forced tourists I guess lol I'm from the west coast and it's awesome there, but the timing and reason for having to go back would really be sucky for sure :'(

 

[rugrat907]

I seem to remember when I was first filling out the forms back in the summer of 2014 that there were three choices for the interview location on the form. NY, Detroit, and LA. Then later the form was updated around August or September and only included NY and LA. When we mailed off our package we updated all the forms and copied the info over a day or two before we mailed them just to be safe.. That's why it was such a shock a month or two ago when I mentioned in a thread somewhere about the interviews in NY and you mentioned that it's only LA now for interviews. We would have never realized about that so thank you RH even though the news totally bites! 8) My wife is terrified of flying too just like saria1 mentioned about her husband so not sure what we will do there, yikes! Anyhow if we get notice for an interview we'll have to make the best of it and be forced tourists I guess lol I'm from the west coast and it's awesome there, but the timing and reason for having to go back would really be sucky for sure :'(

What's kind of silly is that CIC left the NY or LA choice on the forms for so long...way after they stopped doing any interviews in NY. CIC seems so anxious to "update" forms and then sometimes kick things back, even if there is no significant update to the form that you'd think they would have updated the checklist too.

Not that I am anticipating an interview, but for us, my wife lives in Ottawa and I'm in California, so no matter what one of us was going to have a fairly long trip...

 

[rhcohen2014]

What's kind of silly is that CIC left the NY or LA choice on the forms for so long...way after they stopped doing any interviews in NY. CIC seems so anxious to "update" forms and then sometimes kick things back, even if there is no significant update to the form that you'd think they would have updated the checklist too.

Not that I am anticipating an interview, but for us, my wife lives in Ottawa and I'm in California, so no matter what one of us was going to have a fairly long trip...

I'm in Ottawa too. Definitely check out OCISO when you land. they are a great settlement agency and they have a bunch of program referrals. Also know you can take free french classes through the CLIC program. there are 2 french schools that offer classes in ottawa (only 1 offers it part time). you have to first be assessed then referred to a program.

 

[rugrat907]

I'm in Ottawa too. Definitely check out OCISO when you land. they are a great settlement agency and they have a bunch of program referrals. Also know you can take free french classes through the CLIC program. there are 2 french schools that offer classes in ottawa (only 1 offers it part time). you have to first be assessed then referred to a program.

That looks like a great resource - thanks! And I misspoke a little when I said Ottawa; that's the airport she would fly out of. When I tell people here in the U.S. that I'm moving to Canada and they ask where, I've just gotten used to saying "near Ottawa" instead of Carleton Place...that gets nothing but blank stares. Even Ottawa gets questions.."Is that east or west"?

Americans and their knowledge of geography.

 

[rhcohen2014]

That looks like a great resource - thanks! And I misspoke a little when I said Ottawa; that's the airport she would fly out of. When I tell people here in the U.S. that I'm moving to Canada and they ask where, I've just gotten used to saying "near Ottawa" instead of Carleton Place...that gets nothing but blank stares. Even Ottawa gets questions.."Is that east or west"?

Americans and their knowledge of geography.

haha yeah, i'm still learning. I do know that Carleton Place is west, right? either that or it's south? We live in westboro, so i know it's not super far away. my knowledge is basically anything that is on the 417.

 

[rugrat907]

haha yeah, i'm still learning. I do know that Carleton Place is west, right? either that or it's south? We live in westboro, so i know it's not super far away. my knowledge is basically anything that is on the 417.

You knowledge is better than mine - I had to check a map! Yes, it's southwest of Ottawa. I've only been there twice - even though we've had a very long relationship, for a variety of reasons our physical time together has been primarily in the US. But those obstacles are gone and we decided Canada was the place for us to be...

 

[Ponga]

that hasn't been reported for 2014 applications. that happened in 2013 and earlier, probably related to the office closures and condensing of responsibilities. and again, there are no files that are reported to be sent to NY, it is ONLY LA. does this mean this can happen, again, sure. does this mean it's the norm, absolutely not. the only files reported to be in LA for 2014 were those who required interviews. interview time lines seem to be about 12-16 months.

So much for that theory. It looks like the NY office is open again:

need help!! the below is the email i have got from CIC ottawa saying that, my application for PR is transferred to Newyork office for further review and admissibility for PR.

Timelines:
-------------
App filed: 18th Nov 2013
AOR rec'd: 5th Jan 2014
Added wife: 15th May 2014
Medicals rec'd for both: 9th June 2014
med done: 14th June 2014
Online update on Medicals rec'd: 22nd Oct 2014

rec'd an email mentioning the file is transferred to NYIO - 2nd April 2015

i have got a communication from CIC yesterday, saying that the application is transferred to New York Office for further validation. please help what would the reason for transferring the application after 17 months of filing.

Email from CIC:

This is in reference to your application for permanent residence in Canada. Your application has been transferred to a visa office outside Canada for further review of your eligibility and admissibility for a permanent resident visa.

The Canadian visa office in New York will communicate with you via e-mail. The email you receive will come from email addresses that end in “ @ international.gc.ca” or “ @ cic.gc.ca”. Please add these to the “safe senders” list in your email program. You should also check your junk mail folder in your email program and/or in your email website in case important emails get filtered into this folder.

Please note that the visa office in New York cannot respond to case status enquiries at this time. We ask you to be patient and wait until that office contacts you within the next two months. Your patience will permit the visa office to begin work on your application more quickly.

However, if your personal circumstances change, such as the birth or adoption of a child, a marriage or a divorce, you must inform that visa office immediately. They must also be informed if any of the following change:

• Change of email address
• Change of residential or mailing address
• Change of immigration representative (if applicable)
• Decision to withdraw your application
• Approval of Arranged Employment Opinion by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada


Please forward all future correspondence as follows:

By email: CNGNYG @ international.gc.ca

By mail: Immigration Section
1251 Avenue of the Americas
Concourse Level
(between 49th and 50th Streets, midtown Manhattan)
New York, NY 10020-1175

 

[rhcohen2014]

So much for that theory. It looks like the NY office is open again:

and is this a SPOUSAL FAMILY CLASS application? even though it's posted in the spousal thread, doesn't mean this person applied for spousal sponsorship. if it is, then this would be the first time someone has posted about being interviewed in NY and that's great news. applicants I know who live IN NY were required to go to LA, so it will be interesting to hear this member's story.