Buffalo's processing time

[superboy_ec]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Thank you all for the kind words!

 

[Rossei]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

I'm sorry that I didn't mention NY as my immigration office. My bad sorry again. But thanks for the info

 

[Rossei]

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]

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]

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.