US outland applicants' thread :)

[Shylox]

You could. But like I said, if you don't include the return envelope, they will send it via regular mail to Canada Just (obviously!) Make sure your address is up to date in ECAS and it is in the "Return Address" on the envelope

Right, since it will most likely be through email anyway since Ottawa has been requesting scanned copies I don't think I'm going to bother with the letter because they'll likely ignore any extra attachments anyway haha

Thanks for the advice! And congrats again, you must be thrilled to be done with this all =)

 

[MisterDBarton]

Alright, so we e-mailed CIC about 6 weeks ago and asked if my authorized channeler for Police Certificate would be accepted and they said no. So we got my fingrerprints done, sent in, and received the official letter from the FBI this past week. How should I send this to Ottawa (where my file was transferred to)? I plan on including my PR fee ($490 I believe) so as to avoid any possible delay once they get to that step of the approval process.

 

[canamera]

Hi Matt,

They seem to be currently dealing with April, May applications. There is a spreadsheet for CPP - Ottawa that you can have Shylox add your information too. It shows all of the updates for people with applilications in the same category as you are. Most of us monitor progress that way. You can see the link to the spreadsheet in my signature area.
Send a PM to Shylox to have your information added if you like.

Pat (Canuck20)

Thanks so much! Most appreciated.

 

[computergeek]

Alright, so we e-mailed CIC about 6 weeks ago and asked if my authorized channeler for Police Certificate would be accepted and they said no. So we got my fingrerprints done, sent in, and received the official letter from the FBI this past week. How should I send this to Ottawa (where my file was transferred to)? I plan on including my PR fee ($490 I believe) so as to avoid any possible delay once they get to that step of the approval process.

PCC: write a cover letter that includes your file number and UCI and include it. Send it so you get a signature confirmation that it was received (and ideally by whom).

Note the address from the CIC website (which is challenging to find since at least some of the primary links to the CPP-O page are currently broken):

Send original Police Certificates to:

Case Processing Pilot – Ottawa
219 Laurier Avenue West, 7th floor, section B
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1
Canada

Source: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/canada/ottawa.asp

RPRF: pay it online. Send along a copy of the receipt. Don't pay it directly to Ottawa. Also, advise CPC-M that you have paid it as they are responsible for updating the GCMS notes to indicate that it has been paid.

There is no information on the CPP-O page indicating that you may pay the fees directly to them. While technically CPP-O is a "visa office outside Canada" they still are a little different. Perhaps someone else has actually paid CPP-O directly, in which case it would likely be with a money order, certified or bank cheque payable to "Receiver General for Canada". Online is still your best bet.

 

[OhCanadiana]

RPRF: pay it online. Send along a copy of the receipt. Don't pay it directly to Ottawa. Also, advise CPC-M that you have paid it as they are responsible for updating the GCMS notes to indicate that it has been paid.

To build on this, you can use the e-mail links off of http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse-apply-after.asp to advise CPC-M. Outland visa offices (which technically includes CPP-O do not have the ability to process online payments) so CPC-M does it on their behalf if you pay online.

And, if you send the document via courier signature required do not worry if it is delivered to 365 Laurier's mail room instead of 219 as you addressed it to. They will receive it for CIC and forward it on.

 

[Kiri]

So I've just hated things... I sent things in May, they were returned after not being opened for almost 4 months for missing forms (the forms were updated with immigration in July.. if they had opened the package before that, it'd be fine).. well financial and other issues have kept us from being able to send it back until today. 7-8 months from when I got my US FBI check, and photos. I sent the package anyway with that info with a letter explaining how it was almost 6 months before I got my package back.. Problem with this is that they didn't log me as having my information in in May.. they just sent my stuff back messy and with some torn papers. There is no record (other than paid fees receipts) that I've had anything in with them.

So now I need my info changed to Jan 2nd, 2013 sent ... needless to say this is why you guys haven't heard from me. I'm starting over.

Wonder what the odds are they will overlook the outdated photos/FBI record. (photos match the medicals so I didn't want to update them) I added an extra folder to the batch I sent in to give them some updated proof (new lease we've signed, some more photos since May, Facebook entries, gift receipts)

I'm so ready for this to be over with.. most of the May applicants have already landed. I just want to get done with this so I can have children

 

[scylla]

Wonder what the odds are they will overlook the outdated photos/FBI record. (photos match the medicals so I didn't want to update them) I added an extra folder to the batch I sent in to give them some updated proof (new lease we've signed, some more photos since May, Facebook entries, gift receipts)

I suspect they will overlook the photos but ask you to re-do the FBI check. But that's just my guess...

 

[Kiri]

Well I will probably send off for one anyways in the next month or so to make sure I have one ready and recent. I don't mind them requesting new ones... but I will be furious if they send my whole package back without recording the date again.

 

[amikety]

So I've just hated things... I sent things in May, they were returned after not being opened for almost 4 months for missing forms (the forms were updated with immigration in July.. if they had opened the package before that, it'd be fine).. well financial and other issues have kept us from being able to send it back until today. 7-8 months from when I got my US FBI check, and photos. I sent the package anyway with that info with a letter explaining how it was almost 6 months before I got my package back.. Problem with this is that they didn't log me as having my information in in May.. they just sent my stuff back messy and with some torn papers. There is no record (other than paid fees receipts) that I've had anything in with them.

So now I need my info changed to Jan 2nd, 2013 sent ... needless to say this is why you guys haven't heard from me. I'm starting over.

Wonder what the odds are they will overlook the outdated photos/FBI record. (photos match the medicals so I didn't want to update them) I added an extra folder to the batch I sent in to give them some updated proof (new lease we've signed, some more photos since May, Facebook entries, gift receipts)

I'm so ready for this to be over with.. most of the May applicants have already landed. I just want to get done with this so I can have children

I'm so sorry. That's so frustrating. Government red tape.... bleck! *hugs*

 

[shanmba1174]

To build on this, you can use the e-mail links off of http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse-apply-after.asp to advise CPC-M. Outland visa offices (which technically includes CPP-O do not have the ability to process online payments) so CPC-M does it on their behalf if you pay online.

And, if you send the document via courier signature required do not worry if it is delivered to 365 Laurier's mail room instead of 219 as you addressed it to. They will receive it for CIC and forward it on.

Can you provide the full mailing address of 365 Laurier ?

 

[OhCanadiana]

Can you provide the full mailing address of 365 Laurier ?

I replied to your PM - it is best to use the address for CPP-O (at 219) so that it is forwarded properly. However, don't be surprised when 365 Laurier Ave W signs for it (assuming your courier company tells you where it was delivered).

 

[lunas]

Hi guys, I've been doing a lot of thinking abuot filing for my taxes this year. Since I'm American and tax season is approaching, I'm wondering if I should file as single or married here in the US. Is that a personal choice? do you guys know? ???
My husband lives in Canada and I'm in the US.

 

[parker24]

Hi guys, I've been doing a lot of thinking abuot filing for my taxes this year. Since I'm American and tax season is approaching, I'm wondering if I should file as single or married here in the US. Is that a personal choice? do you guys know? ???
My husband lives in Canada and I'm in the US.

Married, and since hubby reminded me other people might need this information, I'll share it here...

Alien residents (Canadians in this case) must have an ITIN, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, with the IRS. To get this, you need this form -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf The Canadian will have to send the same information that they give to the CRA. Basically, you have until June to file (you get some time because IRS requires your CDN tax information, and CRA just wants a SIN and world income) and then you can file with all the information that you get from CRA.

It's EXTREMELY annoying. Believe me!

Guide: http://www.irs.gov/publications/p519/ch01.html

FAQ: (For when a US is abroad ) http://www.irs.gov/Help-&-Resources/Tools-&-FAQs/FAQs-for-Individuals/Frequently-Asked-Tax-Questions-&-Answers/U.S.-Aliens-and-Citizens-Living-Abroad

Links to read:

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Nonresident-Spouse-Treated-as-a-Resident

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/U.S.-Citizens-and-Resident-Aliens-Abroad---Nonresident-Alien-Spouse

 

[Kiri]

So if you are a US citizen living and working ONLY in Canada as a PR you still have to file taxes with the US even though you're not making any money from America or putting money into the system there? I thought once I became a PR, and lived and worked in Canada, that I'd only be filing Canadian taxes...

 

[parker24]

So if you are a US citizen living and working ONLY in Canada as a PR you still have to file taxes with the US even though you're not making any money from America or putting money into the system there? I thought once I became a PR, and lived and worked in Canada, that I'd only be filing Canadian taxes...

Nope you still have to file, it even says that in the back of your passport (the final page)