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Buffalo's processing time

superboy_ec

Hero Member
Mar 25, 2009
411
30
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
Mar 1, 2010
Doc's Request.
None
Nomination.....
Nov 19, 2009
AOR Received.
July 7, 2010
IELTS Request
waived
File Transfer...
not yet and I don't think it will
Med's Request
June 24, 2010 received July 7. 2010
Med's Done....
July 20, 2010 and cardio (sept/29)
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
25-Feb-2011 sent 01-Mar-2011 arrived @ F.E. 03-Mar-2011
VISA ISSUED...
15-Mar-2011
LANDED..........
02-Apr-2011
sept15 said:
vBOMB - On behalf of Superboy (he is in the washroom at the moment!): His passport was discharged on a Friday afternoon (or at least collected by Canada Post) and was received by Super on Tuesday.

How do you know that your passport was discharged: If your ECas has changed DOES NOT means that it was discharged. Wait until you get notification from Canada Post that it was collected. It might e discharged tomorrow! BUT in any case, if Decision was made on ECase you will get it by next week...

Delivery time - 2-3 days (most common 2 days). Maximum 3 days (working days)
gosh, I told you not to say anything. Anyways, I am out of the washroom now..hehehe. Thanks sept15. Yes, vBOMB what sept15 is saying is correct. received at Fort Erie at 14:00 on Friday 25/Mar and I got it in my hands on tuesday at 9am tuesday 29/Mar...so 2 working days..
 

superboy_ec

Hero Member
Mar 25, 2009
411
30
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
Mar 1, 2010
Doc's Request.
None
Nomination.....
Nov 19, 2009
AOR Received.
July 7, 2010
IELTS Request
waived
File Transfer...
not yet and I don't think it will
Med's Request
June 24, 2010 received July 7. 2010
Med's Done....
July 20, 2010 and cardio (sept/29)
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
25-Feb-2011 sent 01-Mar-2011 arrived @ F.E. 03-Mar-2011
VISA ISSUED...
15-Mar-2011
LANDED..........
02-Apr-2011
vbomb said:
Thanks subzbus and Sept 15

Yep National Express Post, I will never use them again, it looks like the package is just sitting at Ft Erie for the past 2 days lol

Will see what happens tomorrow. subzbus, do you live in Vancouver?

Thanks guys!
Vbomb, I phoned them because I had the same concern and same situation so their answer was that the items sometimes don't get constantly updated in the system and that is why it does not show online or there are times when items get updated only at discharge and upon reception.
 

procan

Star Member
Mar 25, 2009
157
5
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo, NY
NOC Code......
2141
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
25-03-2009
Doc's Request.
05-11-2009
Nomination.....
17-11-2009 CIC App. Filed.: 12-03-2010
AOR Received.
28-06-2010
Med's Request
28-06-2010
Med's Done....
25-08-2010
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
13-04-2011
VISA ISSUED...
28-04-2011
LANDED..........
23-06-2011
ae03yy said:
I believe he doesn't need this form because there's no need for him to act as rep. during your application process. However, you should prepare a letter authorising him to pick up the passport on your behalf and also acknowledging that he'll be sending it over.
You can fax or mail the letter after signature.
Thanks!
 

mutt391

Star Member
Aug 25, 2010
124
2
Vancouver,BC
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
17-05-2010
Nomination.....
31-03-2010
AOR Received.
10-09-2010
IELTS Request
Not Required
File Transfer...
Never Happened..
Med's Request
10-09-2010
Med's Done....
21-09-2010 (Sent to Ottawa Per Medical Personel)
Interview........
Not Required.
Passport Req..
01-04-2011
VISA ISSUED...
PP Sent: 04-04-2011 /PP & VISA RECEIVED: 29-04-2011
LANDED..........
1-05-2011
winnipegmb said:
Got got the PPR email! Feels great to finally have this done with, will be firing off the passport first thing tomorrow.
Thats a huge relief that the founder of this forum got his/her ppr! congrats winnipegmb!!
 

winnipegmb

Star Member
Jan 15, 2011
91
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Abu Dhbai
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
June-2011
Doc's Request.
July-2015
AOR Received.
Oct-2015
File Transfer...
April-2016
Med's Request
May-2016
Med's Done....
May-2016
Passport Req..
June-2016
VISA ISSUED...
July-2016
Thank you all for the kind words!
 

Rossei

Champion Member
Jun 6, 2010
2,663
443
Canada
Category........
PNP
Visa Office......
Buffalo
NOC Code......
2133
Job Offer........
Yes
Pre-Assessed..
Yes
App. Filed.......
18-Jan-2011 (Buffalo)
Doc's Request.
N/A
Nomination.....
26-Nov-2010
AOR Received.
21-Jul-2011 (Email)
IELTS Request
N/A
File Transfer...
N/A
Med's Request
25-Jul-2011 (Reg. Mail)
Med's Done....
03-Aug-2011
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
08-Sep-2011 (Email)
VISA ISSUED...
20-Sep-2011 (Buffalo)
LANDED..........
20-Sep-2011 (Niagara)
Congrats all who are very close to having PR. I've been out of Canada for a month and returned recently.

Anyway, my application for PR was received on Jan 18, 2011 by Buffalo. My draft was cashed on March 2, 2011 (checked with my bank). But I yet did not receive any letter from CIC (neither AOR nor CIC File No). I used my friend's address as my mailing address since I will be relocating within Ontario next month.

Today is April 18, 2011 and it has been almost 6 weeks after my bank draft had been cashed. Should I contact the call centre or it is very normal regarding PNP timeline?

As far I know, you receive an AOR approximately 2~3 weeks after the cheque/draft has been cashed. Then you wait for Medical Req. After that, you get a Passport Req, give the PR card fees and all. Educate me if I'm wrong. Thanks.
 

sept15

Champion Member
Sep 26, 2010
1,043
18
Canada
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Rossei said:
Congrats all who are very close to having PR. I've been out of Canada for a month and returned recently.

Anyway, my application for PR was received on Jan 18, 2011 by Buffalo. My draft was cashed on March 2, 2011 (checked with my bank). But I yet did not receive any letter from CIC (neither AOR nor CIC File No). I used my friend's address as my mailing address since I will be relocating within Ontario next month.

Today is April 18, 2011 and it has been almost 6 weeks after my bank draft had been cashed. Should I contact the call centre or it is very normal regarding PNP timeline?

As far I know, you receive an AOR approximately 2~3 weeks after the cheque/draft has been cashed. Then you wait for Medical Req. After that, you get a Passport Req, give the PR card fees and all. Educate me if I'm wrong. Thanks.
What Province nominated you? ONTARIO? or are you cheating the system?

Anyways - Your AOR shall take 5.5 months - 6 months (16 - 20 weeks).
Thanks
 

Rossei

Champion Member
Jun 6, 2010
2,663
443
Canada
Category........
PNP
Visa Office......
Buffalo
NOC Code......
2133
Job Offer........
Yes
Pre-Assessed..
Yes
App. Filed.......
18-Jan-2011 (Buffalo)
Doc's Request.
N/A
Nomination.....
26-Nov-2010
AOR Received.
21-Jul-2011 (Email)
IELTS Request
N/A
File Transfer...
N/A
Med's Request
25-Jul-2011 (Reg. Mail)
Med's Done....
03-Aug-2011
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
08-Sep-2011 (Email)
VISA ISSUED...
20-Sep-2011 (Buffalo)
LANDED..........
20-Sep-2011 (Niagara)
sept15 said:
What Province nominated you? ONTARIO? or are you cheating the system?
Anyways - Your AOR shall take 5.5 months - 6 months (16 - 20 weeks).
Thanks
LoL @ sept15; I still did not cheat and wish I knew some way. & I was nominated by Ontario last year under Int'l Student with Job Offer stream.

So, till I get an AOR which may take another 3~4 months (according to you); I won't be able to access my file or something. Right? Seemingly you applied exactly 1 year before me and so I would take your word fully granted. Could you elaborate a bit more on the timelines from here on?
 

sept15

Champion Member
Sep 26, 2010
1,043
18
Canada
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Rossei said:
LoL @ sept15; I still did not cheat and wish I knew some way. & I was nominated by Ontario last year under Int'l Student with Job Offer stream.

So, till I get an AOR which may take another 3~4 months (according to you); I won't be able to access my file or something. Right? Seemingly you applied exactly 1 year before me and so I would take your word fully granted. Could you elaborate a bit more on the timelines from here on?
If you have a Client Id. (on your study/work permit), you could try to see the ECas but most probably they have not entered anything yet on the system. You will have to wait till you get the AOR. I never used my Buffalo Immigration file to access ECas. I always used the Client Id. If you do not have one you will need to wait.
 

vigu360

Star Member
Oct 4, 2010
105
2
Visa Office......
New Delhi
App. Filed.......
17-11-2015
AOR Received.
11-01-2016
Med's Done....
Pre medicals
Passport Req..
11-05-2016
Hey guys can any one of you please let me know how long it will take them to send my passports back after stamping my Visa? I have included corporate UPS return envelope so hopefully it will come faster and I can track it but need to know how long they take to stamp. My passport reached the office yesterday... Thanks in advance!
 

winnipegmb

Star Member
Jan 15, 2011
91
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Abu Dhbai
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
June-2011
Doc's Request.
July-2015
AOR Received.
Oct-2015
File Transfer...
April-2016
Med's Request
May-2016
Med's Done....
May-2016
Passport Req..
June-2016
VISA ISSUED...
July-2016
vigu360 said:
Hey guys can any one of you please let me know how long it will take them to send my passports back after stamping my Visa? I have included corporate UPS return envelope so hopefully it will come faster and I can track it but need to know how long they take to stamp. My passport reached the office yesterday... Thanks in advance!
Buffalo doesn't like UPS/courier services ... in fact, the instructions included with the PPR email specifically state:

canadainternational.gc.ca/buffalo/imm/submit_soumettre.aspx

Important information regarding the return of your passports:
Passports will be returned to you by US Postal Service regular mail unless you use one of the premium services described above. WE WILL NOT USE FedEx, UPS, PUROLATOR OR ANY OTHER COURIER COMPANY ENVELOPES - EVEN IF THEY ARE PREPAID BY CREDIT CARD OR ACCOUNT NUMBER.

I would probably follow up with Buffalo to see if you can send them a USPS/CanadaPost envelope cause I think they'd send it via regular mail otherwise. It usually takes 15 business days for them to return your passports.
Hope it works out for you.
 

vigu360

Star Member
Oct 4, 2010
105
2
Visa Office......
New Delhi
App. Filed.......
17-11-2015
AOR Received.
11-01-2016
Med's Done....
Pre medicals
Passport Req..
11-05-2016
I'm sorry that I didn't mention NY as my immigration office. My bad sorry again. But thanks for the info
 

Rossei

Champion Member
Jun 6, 2010
2,663
443
Canada
Category........
PNP
Visa Office......
Buffalo
NOC Code......
2133
Job Offer........
Yes
Pre-Assessed..
Yes
App. Filed.......
18-Jan-2011 (Buffalo)
Doc's Request.
N/A
Nomination.....
26-Nov-2010
AOR Received.
21-Jul-2011 (Email)
IELTS Request
N/A
File Transfer...
N/A
Med's Request
25-Jul-2011 (Reg. Mail)
Med's Done....
03-Aug-2011
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
08-Sep-2011 (Email)
VISA ISSUED...
20-Sep-2011 (Buffalo)
LANDED..........
20-Sep-2011 (Niagara)
sept15 said:
If you have a Client Id. (on your study/work permit), you could try to see the ECas but most probably they have not entered anything yet on the system. You will have to wait till you get the AOR. I never used my Buffalo Immigration file to access ECas. I always used the Client Id. If you do not have one you will need to wait.
I got the interval time of 16~20 weeks. Follow: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/buffalo/imm/processing_times-delais_traitement.aspx?lang=eng

I did not know that I can login with my Client ID. I tried and it doesn't allow me to see anything. I guess I have to wait till May-June. Thanks for the help though.
 

vbomb

Star Member
Aug 26, 2010
129
4
Vancouver
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
NOC Code......
1122 business management consultant
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-MAY-2010
Doc's Request.
07-SEP-2010
Nomination.....
23-MAR-2010
AOR Received.
01-SEP-2010
IELTS Request
No
File Transfer...
No
Med's Request
01-SEP-2010
Med's Done....
17-AUG-2010
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
22-MAR-2011
VISA ISSUED...
06-APR-2011
LANDED..........
19-APR-2011
Friends,

After 11,5 months of application reaching Buffalo, 14,5 months after application reaching PNP office, 6 years 8 months in Canada, today I'm officially a PR :)

The process was smooth as I decided to land in Canada. I arrived at the CIC office at noon after sneaking out from work. They were on lunch break as well. There was only me and another couple that were having an interview for their family sponsorship application. They were really nervous and bought ALOT of paper work (like 3 binders worth). I brought some paper work as well just in case

When they called my name, the IO asked me to check to make sure the CORP has the correct spelling of my name, DOB, place of birth etc. etc.

She asked me to initialize the following fields:

1. Are you single? Said yes, she said are you sure? no common law partner? I don't have a common law partner because we don't live together and she's Canadian anyways, so it doesn't matter. She said OK then

2. Do you have any dependents? No

3. Have you been denied entry to Canada? No

4. Have you been convicted for any crime? No

5. Do you still work at <current work place>? Yes, I have a letter from employer, it's OK don't need it

6. Do you still live at the address provided to CIC- yes -OK your card will be sent there

Then she saw the photo and said it's too big and told me to go get another set just across the street. Said OK let me call my boss and take an extra hour for lunch. Got the photos back in and then she told me to sign the COPR, congrats you're now PR

She explained the responsibilities of PR, days in Canada etc. and that's IT!!!!!!!!!!

Walked to Service Canada and got my SIN renewed, went back to work super happy and will quit in a month

Tip: Send complete application when you can
Bring extra photos in case yours don't work

Thank you very much everyone for providing great insights and advices and your timelines! It has been very much helpful for the forum

I will still come back from time to time to hopefully help people are still in the process
 

winnipegmb

Star Member
Jan 15, 2011
91
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Abu Dhbai
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
June-2011
Doc's Request.
July-2015
AOR Received.
Oct-2015
File Transfer...
April-2016
Med's Request
May-2016
Med's Done....
May-2016
Passport Req..
June-2016
VISA ISSUED...
July-2016
According to Buffalo's site, they're taking 20 weeks for an AOR. In your case, I'd say it's about time to send them an email asking for a status update on your application. I wouldn't worry too much ... my AOR came within a reasonable amount of time but the PPR took *forever* so things can take a while every now and then, even when others seem to be getting there much faster.