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BOGOTA Visa Office 2012 applicants

ccunnington

Hero Member
Nov 19, 2011
548
7
Sincelejo, Colombia
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-03-2012
AOR Received.
19-06-2012 (Mississauga). 06-11-2012 (Bogota).
File Transfer...
11-07-2012
Med's Done....
10-09-2012
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
13-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
21-02-2013
parceromiguel said:
ccunnington:

I am a little confused.
All of our applications are being processed through Colombia.
If we aren't in Canada, then what is the point on doing this GCMS notes.

Can you please explain this a little bit more.

It would be great if we can do this and see where we stand.

Thank you.
I'm not living in Canada either. I'm down here in Colombia with my wife. What we did was have my wife sign the Authorization to release information form to my mom's name. Then my mom sent in the application for the GCMS notes. Anyone in Canada can do it for you if you're not living there right now. The applicant simply has to fill out the release form in the person's name that will be ordering the notes for you.

It doesn't matter where in the world your visa application is being processed. GCMS notes apply to all applications whether they are still working on them in Mississauga, or if they have been transferred to a visa office.
 

julycathe

Full Member
Aug 20, 2012
28
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
16-12-2010
AOR Received.
18-04-2011
Med's Request
12-03-2012
Med's Done....
06-04-2012
Interview........
12-03-2012
Passport Req..
12-03-2012
VISA ISSUED...
05-16-2013
LANDED..........
06-06-2013
parceromiguel said:
ccunnington:

I am a little confused.
All of our applications are being processed through Colombia.
If we aren't in Canada, then what is the point on doing this GCMS notes.

Can you please explain this a little bit more.

It would be great if we can do this and see where we stand.

Thank you.
Hey parcero, we are on the same boat, I applied for the ARC back in march. last thing I heard was that they're doing background cheks and this was through our MP about a month ago, now we ordering caips to see when they started it because the background check is a lengthy process and we need to know where we stand. its been just way too long.
 

esims2003

Full Member
Jul 19, 2012
40
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
25-08-2011
Doc's Request.
25-07-2012
AOR Received.
02-11-2011
File Transfer...
02-11-2011
Med's Request
25-07-2012
Med's Done....
27-07-2012
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
25-07-2012
VISA ISSUED...
04-10-2012
LANDED..........
Will be landing Dec 8, 2012
A little update for you all:
After receiving an email from the VO stating that my husbands passport with the decision was mailed to him 2 weeks ago, we were concerned that we still have not received anything at all. I sent a new message yesterday asking where the passport was sent, and by which mail courier, to which i received the reply that my husbands passport has been sent by diplomatic bag to CANADA and that i should expect delivery within 6 weeks. CANADA???? Really??? So i will have to courier the passport back to my husband in ECUADOR before he can get on a plane. Wonder what the theory behind doing that was?
 

ccunnington

Hero Member
Nov 19, 2011
548
7
Sincelejo, Colombia
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-03-2012
AOR Received.
19-06-2012 (Mississauga). 06-11-2012 (Bogota).
File Transfer...
11-07-2012
Med's Done....
10-09-2012
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
13-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
21-02-2013
esims2003 said:
A little update for you all:
After receiving an email from the VO stating that my husbands passport with the decision was mailed to him 2 weeks ago, we were concerned that we still have not received anything at all. I sent a new message yesterday asking where the passport was sent, and by which mail courier, to which i received the reply that my husbands passport has been sent by diplomatic bag to CANADA and that i should expect delivery within 6 weeks. CANADA???? Really??? So i will have to courier the passport back to my husband in ECUADOR before he can get on a plane. Wonder what the theory behind doing that was?
That doesn't make any sense at all. They should be sending the passport back to its rightful owner!
 

sridoy

Full Member
Jan 17, 2012
46
0
Mississauga, ON
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
27-12-2011
AOR Received.
04-16-2012 (From Bogota)
File Transfer...
02-14-2012
Med's Request
10-22-2012
Med's Done....
24-Oct-2012 (re-meds)
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
08-14-2012
VISA ISSUED...
Nov 29, 2012
LANDED..........
Dec 20, 2012
Unbelievable!! Why would they send it to Canada and why would it take 6 weeks????
 

julycathe

Full Member
Aug 20, 2012
28
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
16-12-2010
AOR Received.
18-04-2011
Med's Request
12-03-2012
Med's Done....
06-04-2012
Interview........
12-03-2012
Passport Req..
12-03-2012
VISA ISSUED...
05-16-2013
LANDED..........
06-06-2013
ccunnington said:
That doesn't make any sense at all. They should be sending the passport back to its rightful owner!
Exactly, its the first time I hear of something like this! for what I know Bogota sends passports to Ecuador through DHL, I would ask the reason why they did it that way. what a waste of time.
 

parceromiguel

Star Member
Dec 27, 2010
79
0
124
Unites States
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota, Colombia
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
14-May-2011
AOR Received.
23-Aug-2011
Med's Done....
28-Jan-2011
Passport Req..
December-2013
VISA ISSUED...
14-Feb-2014
LANDED..........
22-Feb-2014
JULYCATHE

When they asked for the ARC, did they also ask for your passport?

They first requested my passport with new medicals but then a month later, they requested the ARC.

How long do you think it will take for the ARC to go through.
It has been over 6 months for us.
We have not heard anything just yet.


ESIMS2003

I'm sorry to hear about the passport.
Look at it on the bright side. It's on its way.

Whenever you emailed them.
How long did they take to email you back?
Was the answer detailed or just very plain, a few words, and that was it?


CCUNNINGTON

My wife lives in Quebec.
Let's say she pays the 5 bucks and sends the application in.
How long will it usually take for them to get back to us?
Will it show everything and anything they have done to our application?



Someone mentioned "MP".
Is it a smart idea to get them involved if we have an ARC application being processed?

Thank you
 

doorsopen

Star Member
Jul 31, 2011
80
0
Vancouver
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
24-11-2011
AOR Received.
15-2-2012
File Transfer...
23-3-2012
Passport Req..
11-07-2012
VISA ISSUED...
8-2-2013
esims2003 said:
A little update for you all:
After receiving an email from the VO stating that my husbands passport with the decision was mailed to him 2 weeks ago, we were concerned that we still have not received anything at all. I sent a new message yesterday asking where the passport was sent, and by which mail courier, to which i received the reply that my husbands passport has been sent by diplomatic bag to CANADA and that i should expect delivery within 6 weeks. CANADA???? Really??? So i will have to courier the passport back to my husband in ECUADOR before he can get on a plane. Wonder what the theory behind doing that was?
Email them again in a couple of days - you might get a different answer. They have no clue what they are doing. They requested a notarized copy of our marriage certificate a few weeks ago (because they lost the first one). My wife sent the marriage certificate and we got a receipt when it was delivered. The embassy said a few days ago they still hadn't received the marriage certificate and that we still need to send it. I sent them the receipt, and they replied stating we don't have to send the marriage certificate again as we have proof we sent it. So does this mean they have it or not!?!? Not taking any risks with these people - so we sent it again (for the 3rd time!).
 

esims2003

Full Member
Jul 19, 2012
40
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
25-08-2011
Doc's Request.
25-07-2012
AOR Received.
02-11-2011
File Transfer...
02-11-2011
Med's Request
25-07-2012
Med's Done....
27-07-2012
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
25-07-2012
VISA ISSUED...
04-10-2012
LANDED..........
Will be landing Dec 8, 2012
parceromiguel said:
JULYCATHE

When they asked for the ARC, did they also ask for your passport?

They first requested my passport with new medicals but then a month later, they requested the ARC.

How long do you think it will take for the ARC to go through.
It has been over 6 months for us.
We have not heard anything just yet.


ESIMS2003

I'm sorry to hear about the passport.
Look at it on the bright side. It's on its way.

Whenever you emailed them.
How long did they take to email you back?
Was the answer detailed or just very plain, a few words, and that was it?


CCUNNINGTON

My wife lives in Quebec.
Let's say she pays the 5 bucks and sends the application in.
How long will it usually take for them to get back to us?
Will it show everything and anything they have done to our application?



Someone mentioned "MP".
Is it a smart idea to get them involved if we have an ARC application being processed?

Thank you
A reply via email has taken between 3 days to a month, and is always a very short, unspecific reply.
 

julycathe

Full Member
Aug 20, 2012
28
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
16-12-2010
AOR Received.
18-04-2011
Med's Request
12-03-2012
Med's Done....
06-04-2012
Interview........
12-03-2012
Passport Req..
12-03-2012
VISA ISSUED...
05-16-2013
LANDED..........
06-06-2013
parceromiguel said:
JULYCATHE

When they asked for the ARC, did they also ask for your passport?

They first requested my passport with new medicals but then a month later, they requested the ARC.

How long do you think it will take for the ARC to go through.
It has been over 6 months for us.
We have not heard anything just yet.


ESIMS2003

I'm sorry to hear about the passport.
Look at it on the bright side. It's on its way.

Whenever you emailed them.
How long did they take to email you back?
Was the answer detailed or just very plain, a few words, and that was it?


CCUNNINGTON

My wife lives in Quebec.
Let's say she pays the 5 bucks and sends the application in.
How long will it usually take for them to get back to us?
Will it show everything and anything they have done to our application?



Someone mentioned "MP".
Is it a smart idea to get them involved if we have an ARC application being processed?

Thank you
The IO asked for the ARC application, letter, fee and my passport during the interview, I submited the ARC app,letter and $400 fee a week later, he said it would take a few months, I've heard of some arc's taking somewhere between 6 to 9 months. we got the MP involved a couple of times already and they reply to them really fast.
 

ccunnington

Hero Member
Nov 19, 2011
548
7
Sincelejo, Colombia
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-03-2012
AOR Received.
19-06-2012 (Mississauga). 06-11-2012 (Bogota).
File Transfer...
11-07-2012
Med's Done....
10-09-2012
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
13-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
21-02-2013
parceromiguel said:
JULYCATHE

When they asked for the ARC, did they also ask for your passport?

They first requested my passport with new medicals but then a month later, they requested the ARC.

How long do you think it will take for the ARC to go through.
It has been over 6 months for us.
We have not heard anything just yet.


ESIMS2003

I'm sorry to hear about the passport.
Look at it on the bright side. It's on its way.

Whenever you emailed them.
How long did they take to email you back?
Was the answer detailed or just very plain, a few words, and that was it?


CCUNNINGTON

My wife lives in Quebec.
Let's say she pays the 5 bucks and sends the application in.
How long will it usually take for them to get back to us?
Will it show everything and anything they have done to our application?



Someone mentioned "MP".
Is it a smart idea to get them involved if we have an ARC application being processed?

Thank you
It takes 30 calendar days to receive it, but we got ours in 25. It will show all the work that has been done on your application up to the date they receive your request for the GCMS notes...but the information will be approx 30 days old when you get it, but it does have a lot of great info, and you can see everything thats been done
 

tecarf

Full Member
Oct 5, 2012
25
0
Category........
Visa Office......
bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-02-2012
AOR Received.
09-05-2012
File Transfer...
10-05-2012
Med's Request
second set of med's requested on 07-01-13
Med's Done....
15-12-2011 second set done on 08-01-13
Interview........
probably waived
Passport Req..
25-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
04-03-2013
ccunnington said:
It takes 30 calendar days to receive it, but we got ours in 25. It will show all the work that has been done on your application up to the date they receive your request for the GCMS notes...but the information will be approx 30 days old when you get it, but it does have a lot of great info, and you can see everything thats been done
Hey Ccunnington did you ask for the electronic notes or physical notes?
 

ccunnington

Hero Member
Nov 19, 2011
548
7
Sincelejo, Colombia
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-03-2012
AOR Received.
19-06-2012 (Mississauga). 06-11-2012 (Bogota).
File Transfer...
11-07-2012
Med's Done....
10-09-2012
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
13-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
21-02-2013
tecarf said:
Hey Ccunnington did you ask for the electronic notes or physical notes?
Electronic. The physical ones take forever. Electronic is much easier, and faster.
 

sabril27

Full Member
Jul 10, 2012
32
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-09-2011
AOR Received.
04-04-2012
File Transfer...
15-12-2011
Med's Request
14-05-2012
Med's Done....
01-07-2012
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
14-05-2012
VISA ISSUED...
09/01/2013
ok guys...
bogota has had my husband's passport for 4 months now!!...what should i do??? my lawyer says just be patient, but i'm done being patient!! who should i call, i'm at a loss right now! also, on ecas it says: application received sept 30, 2011 (weird since we applied in dec 2011) but it doesn't say that they've started processing it....i feel like my dreams of having him here in canada for christmas are fading quickly...better start looking at flights to go back...again... :S
 

parceromiguel

Star Member
Dec 27, 2010
79
0
124
Unites States
Category........
Visa Office......
Bogota, Colombia
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
14-May-2011
AOR Received.
23-Aug-2011
Med's Done....
28-Jan-2011
Passport Req..
December-2013
VISA ISSUED...
14-Feb-2014
LANDED..........
22-Feb-2014
sabril27 said:
ok guys...
bogota has had my husband's passport for 4 months now!!...what should i do??? my lawyer says just be patient, but i'm done being patient!! who should i call, i'm at a loss right now! also, on ecas it says: application received sept 30, 2011 (weird since we applied in dec 2011) but it doesn't say that they've started processing it....i feel like my dreams of having him here in canada for christmas are fading quickly...better start looking at flights to go back...again... :S
I know the feeling.
They requested my passport on Feb 7 2012.
I received the letter Feb 22 2012.
I sent my passport the first week of March 2012.

Today, Nov 1 2012, I have not heard anything in regards to my passport.

I know my case may be a bit different since I had to apply for an ARC but it is still taking them quite the time.

There is another forum (Just Spanish). There are people there that have been waiting for months also.

http://colombianosalcanada.lefora.com/2009/08/18/personas-que-apadrinadas-que-esperan-sus-papeles/page384/?vm=7671#post7671

We aren't the only ones.
I am not sure what's going on in Bogota.

Good news though: Yesterday one of the members of the other forum received a phone call. It was the VO telling her that her visa was ready for pickup.