Hi:
I'm in a bit of a bind and could use some help/useful advice. I filed my work permit application over two months ago with the New York consulate for a postdoctoral position at one of the universities in Ontario. While my colleague in the same program (applying from Europe) had his application processed in 10 days, mine is now past due based on the listed processing times.
I'm slated to start my new position + pack up and move in just a few weeks. I have heard zero from the consulate about my application so far. I have sent in the case inquiry email to them. No response yet.
My situation *should* be easy. I'm a US citizen without a criminal record with a PhD applying for a permit in a high-skill area that doesn't require a LMO (I have verified this). I tried to follow every specification for the work permit to the letter, including painstakingly measuring the photo sizes. Instead, if this doesn't get resolved very soon I 1) am jobless and 2) am risking being homeless/or having to spend a ton of money to move my stuff around (while jobless) for a month or more.
I have tried dialing the immigration number in New York, but it leads to an automated message effectively saying "don't bother us, go look at the webpage" (which doesn't tell me anything new). I just want to know that the application is in the system and that they're working on it. That's all.
So my question is thus. Is there any way to contact *someone* at the consulate who can tell me "yes, we have your application in the system, we're getting to it" or "we've approved your application but just haven't sent out the approval to you yet"?
Failing this, is there a way to go somewhere (even if it's not New York) to just get the application over and done with immediately/in person or to expedite service?
Any suggestions? Even if it means spending a lot of money to get the CIC to approve my application fast I'm open to it.
I'm in a bit of a bind and could use some help/useful advice. I filed my work permit application over two months ago with the New York consulate for a postdoctoral position at one of the universities in Ontario. While my colleague in the same program (applying from Europe) had his application processed in 10 days, mine is now past due based on the listed processing times.
I'm slated to start my new position + pack up and move in just a few weeks. I have heard zero from the consulate about my application so far. I have sent in the case inquiry email to them. No response yet.
My situation *should* be easy. I'm a US citizen without a criminal record with a PhD applying for a permit in a high-skill area that doesn't require a LMO (I have verified this). I tried to follow every specification for the work permit to the letter, including painstakingly measuring the photo sizes. Instead, if this doesn't get resolved very soon I 1) am jobless and 2) am risking being homeless/or having to spend a ton of money to move my stuff around (while jobless) for a month or more.
I have tried dialing the immigration number in New York, but it leads to an automated message effectively saying "don't bother us, go look at the webpage" (which doesn't tell me anything new). I just want to know that the application is in the system and that they're working on it. That's all.
So my question is thus. Is there any way to contact *someone* at the consulate who can tell me "yes, we have your application in the system, we're getting to it" or "we've approved your application but just haven't sent out the approval to you yet"?
Failing this, is there a way to go somewhere (even if it's not New York) to just get the application over and done with immediately/in person or to expedite service?
Any suggestions? Even if it means spending a lot of money to get the CIC to approve my application fast I'm open to it.
