JULY 2020 *Outland* Spousal Sponsorship

[his*marty]

Hi all!

Just wanted to update you guys since getting the PFL, we got an immigration consultant to sort out the mess. We got pre-arrival and decision made within these 2 days. I am super excited there's progress and thanks again for this forum's support!

About the DM, will they send a letter to us about the decision that's made? I am still a bit hesitant to think this is good news yet.

TIA

That's great! Congrats! So, I was thinking if I get a PFL I should hire a lawyer, but you think an immigration consultant would suffice responding to a PFL? I already spoke to a lawyer about this and they quoted me $4,000 - $5,000 to respond to a PFL based on complexity.

 

[byee]

It doesn't matter which country is. The medical exam must be done by a doctor from the IRCC list.
I think you chose and went to a hospital which is on the list didn't you?

Thanks.
The exam was done in the doctor clinic listed on IRCC website. The nurse instruction was confusing as she asked to upload the medical summary.. Good to hear some feedbacks here to ease me.

 

[Sukiki]

That's great! Congrats! So, I was thinking if I get a PFL I should hire a lawyer, but you think an immigration consultant would suffice responding to a PFL? I already spoke to a lawyer about this and they quoted me $4,000 - $5,000 to respond to a PFL based on complexity.

My PFL was not so complicated so we weighted risk vs cost and decided to go with an immigration consultant. The lawyers I found in my country quoted me a charge by the hour and not a package deal like the consultant. The package deal with the consultant cost less than one hour of the lawyers time.

One more thing, we had to explain our case to several consulting firms before they are willing to take on our case. Some rejected our case saying they are not capable to handle PFLs. Which I find odd but I guess not all consultants are willing to pick up at the half way point.

Hope this helps! BTW, why do you think you will receive a PFL?

 

[his*marty]

My PFL was not so complicated so we weighted risk vs cost and decided to go with an immigration consultant. The lawyers I found in my country quoted me a charge by the hour and not a package deal like the consultant. The package deal with the consultant cost less than one hour of the lawyers time.

One more thing, we had to explain our case to several consulting firms before they are willing to take on our case. Some rejected our case saying they are not capable to handle PFLs. Which I find odd but I guess not all consultants are willing to pick up at the half way point.

Hope this helps! BTW, why do you think you will receive a PFL?

I'm just worried that because of a 10 year age gap and our cultural background is different, religion is same though. I feel like they'll ask for an interview but go in with their mind made up. We provided lots of evidence, financial support on both sides, family photos, marriage photos, chats between family members, public posts (friends) on social media, beneficiary etc. etc. But, I'm just really worried as I've talked to many people in binational marriages with MENA spouses, specifically when the sponsor is a wife, that have had challenges....and takes a long time. So, I'm mostly worried based on others' past experiences...

 

[GaziSalahuddin]

Hello
I got an email in reply to add-on request. I submitted a web form asking how to add our new born baby in the file.
They are asking to submit " Proof that the child has undergone an immigration medical examination. "
Though we didn't get any request for medical yet, not even for principal applicant.
What are they asking for specifically? Your suggestion is highly appreciated.

 

[Sukiki]

I'm just worried that because of a 10 year age gap and our cultural background is different, religion is same though. I feel like they'll ask for an interview but go in with their mind made up. We provided lots of evidence, financial support on both sides, family photos, marriage photos, chats between family members, public posts (friends) on social media, beneficiary etc. etc. But, I'm just really worried as I've talked to many people in binational marriages with MENA spouses, specifically when the sponsor is a wife, that have had challenges....and takes a long time. So, I'm mostly worried based on others' past experiences...

I must admit this whole process is stressful but you sound well prepared. Wish you the best of luck!

 

[byee]

They won't send any email for AOR2. Just check ECAS daily, when you see in - process again click on that link. One line will be added there that "we have started processing your application on [Date]. Consider this line as your AOR2.

Good luck, hope you get it soon.

Thanks for the info. Do we find the VO information on ECAS too? I found that date but no information about VO, and saw many messages regarding the VO transfer.

 

[Alexn]

Thanks for the info. Do we find the VO information on ECAS too? I found that date but no information about VO, and saw many messages regarding the VO transfer.

They will inform you about your VO in the SA letter, with AOR2 or not at ll. Some people know because they called or asked via webform. Some people were informed in the SA that their file went to a VO and latter found out it went to another.

If you check ECAS every day, you'll know when you file reaches the VO because it will go from "application in process" to "application received"

 

[jckp]

Thanks for the info. Do we find the VO information on ECAS too? I found that date but no information about VO, and saw many messages regarding the VO transfer.

Usually, AOR2 tells you which VO processes your file. But now, most of people don't receive AOR2 I think.
I didn't receive AOR2, suddenly "We started processing your file on 19th March 2021" appeared on my ECAS.
So I called IRCC then they told me my file is Beijing.

 

[Babydoll2305]

Usually, AOR2 tells you which VO processes your file. But now, most of people don't receive AOR2 I think.
I didn't receive AOR2, suddenly "We started processing your file on 19th March 2021" appeared on my ECAS.
So I called IRCC then they told me my file is Beijing.

It seems like it is different for everyone. My file was transferred to LVO and on 09/04 I received AOR from them. I assumed this to be AOR2 as the first one we got was in January. My ECAS only shows that my medicals have been received but nothing about them starting to process my application although the email from the Family Reunification Unit at LVO says that they are assessing my eligibility. Has anyone else had this?

 

[byee]

Usually, AOR2 tells you which VO processes your file. But now, most of people don't receive AOR2 I think.
I didn't receive AOR2, suddenly "We started processing your file on 19th March 2021" appeared on my ECAS.
So I called IRCC then they told me my file is Beijing.

I got one email ( I am a sponsor) back in Feb, which indicates the eligibility of my sponsor is met. It also mentions the application for permanent residence will be forwarded to a visa office (the location is not mentioned).
When I tried to call today with my UCI and application number, It used to be 2,1,0 to talk to a rep, but now it's no luck.
Any trick to reach the rep over the phone nowaday? Thanks.

 

[his*marty]

It seems like it is different for everyone. My file was transferred to LVO and on 09/04 I received AOR from them. I assumed this to be AOR2 as the first one we got was in January. My ECAS only shows that my medicals have been received but nothing about them starting to process my application although the email from the Family Reunification Unit at LVO says that they are assessing my eligibility. Has anyone else had this?

No, sorry I didn't receive anything like this. My ecas on PA side changed to "Application Received" and back to "In Process" but doesn't yet have the line item that they've started to process. :`(

 

[jckp]

I got one email ( I am a sponsor) back in Feb, which indicates the eligibility of my sponsor is met. It also mentions the application for permanent residence will be forwarded to a visa office (the location is not mentioned).
When I tried to call today with my UCI and application number, It used to be 2,1,0 to talk to a rep, but now it's no luck.
Any trick to reach the rep over the phone nowaday? Thanks.

I called IRCC this morning, after UCI number, I did 1,2,0 maybe then I could talk to an agent ( I waited for 50 minutes tho).
When I called IRCC last week, it didn't work, I couldn't even wait to talk with the agent, but this time it worked somehow...

 

[Inryvr]

I called IRCC this morning, after UCI number, I did 1,2,0 maybe then I could talk to an agent ( I waited for 50 minutes tho).
When I called IRCC last week, it didn't work, I couldn't even wait to talk with the agent, but this time it worked somehow...

Did you get any update about processing in Beijing?

 

[jckp]

No... Actually I wanted to update my mailing address ( I tried to change via ECAS and Webform but it didn't work).
I asked about processing since my visitor visa will expire in June but she said there's nothing I can do but just wait.