- May 21, 2013
- 114
- Category........
- Visa Office......
- CPP-O
- NOC Code......
- 1223
- Job Offer........
- Pre-Assessed..
- App. Filed.......
- January 14 2013
- AOR Received.
- February 24 2013
- Med's Request
- November 13, 2013
- Med's Done....
- December 5, 2013
- Interview........
- Waived: RPRF requested: November 13, 2013
- Passport Req..
- Visa exempt
- VISA ISSUED...
- January 6, 2014
- LANDED..........
- January 29, 2014
So, since joining this forum I've noticed a lot of repeat questions, errors, behaviours, and the whatnot. I started writing them down and collecting them and now I am nearing the end of my process, I figured it would be good to share:
Remember though: these are just my observations and opinions! I've tried to write them roughly in order of the process
No one can tell you whether you should use a lawyer or immigration consultant. It is your choice. I used one for my own personal reasons and I'm glad I did but there are plenty of people on here who chose not to and did perfectly well!
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH - people coming on to the forum asking about processing times or eligibility - everything is clear on the CIC website - read it! If you then don't understand, do a quick search on the forum. Still can't find the answer? Then please, do ask.
Duties are King: ok let's clear this up: job titles vary from company to company - it's the duties that CIC care about. Don't copy the noc code duties but make sure your duties are in line with them.
CEC is a pass/fail assessment: therefore if you don't supply what CIC is asking for, you will face problems
Your reference letter is vitally important: try your hardest to get one.
If it's not asked for: it's not needed. This applies throughout the process: everything that is required is requested. Education proof is not listed for example: so why ask if you need to send your university transcripts? Read things through carefully!
Check, check, and then check again. THEN get someone else to check it and then do some more checking: SO many people make stupid mistakes - like missing out some information on their form or not attaching a document
Take copies of everything! If you have access to a scanner then even better - scan it all and save it down to your computer. If something happens and you need to recall what you put on your forms, for whatever reason, then this will be a lifesaver
Instructions are along every step of the way - follow them carefully and you'll be fine. This includes making sure you are posting your application to the right address!
ALL CEC APPLICATIONS ARE PROCESSED IN OTTAWA. it doesn't matter what you put on the form. People try to dispute this one all the time. So I'm laying it out clearly here: #1: look at the CEC website and look at the processing times: other routes show multiple offices: CEC however has 1 timeline for 1 location: Ottawa. #2: CEC is about Canadian experience, so why would CIC ask VO's in other locations to process applications? There is no country-specific verification needed(apart from maybe security and criminality).
Your ecas may NEVER be updated - it depends on the VO. If it is going to be updated, it will stay as Application Received for a long time (at time of writing, some people had eligibility done at CIO, they went In Process but stayed there a while).
CIC is inconsistent when it comes to responding to email queries: would you rather people spend their time getting through applications? Or answering your queries?
The CIC call centre is not staffed with VO's. Call them several times with the same question: watch how many different answers you'll receive: CIC call centre is NOT reliable.
Applying for gcms DOES NOT impact your process
A lot depends on your VO - if you didn't send a perfect package, you may be given a chance to send it through or you may be rejected straight off:: it all depends on the VO and no one on this forum can give you a probability of success.
Just because others around you are getting to the next stage, it doesn't mean you should be there too. Different VO's have different files and are working on different things: the elements of the applications also take different processing times: someone who travelled to countries with known criminal links for example is more likely to be scrutinized more than someone who stayed put in a western or more stable country. That's just an example - hopefully you get my point.
Medicals look for certain things: HIV, syphillis and TB are the main ones. If you have a bit of a cold etc, it's not going to make you inadmissible. If you are worried about a condition then you should have a check up with your regular dr first so you are prepared.
It IS possible to do medicals during pregnancy: it is however totally your choice and it's recommended that x-rays are done in the second trimester. Do some research and you'll see the risk is very low. You can also get a letter of support from your OB or dr to help your case.
Stop freaking out! If you let yourself worry about every single thing that could go wrong you'll a)drive yourself insane b) lose focus and make an actual mistake c) drive everyone else insane
This forum is full of experienced people - there are several who were granted their PR as far as several years back. They are here to give something back and help people. Remember that and respect it as it's the whole reason this forum has survived.
Finally - Have a bit of faith: In CIC itself, in your visa officer, your lawyer, in Canada Post or any other mailing service, in your DMP, in everyone. People aren't in this to screw immigrants over: they have a job to do and they do it. Sometimes VO's make mistakes, others stick to the rules rigidly and others are a little more lenient. Whatever the situation though, you have very little influence on these groups so you may as well have some faith and good hope.
Remember though: these are just my observations and opinions! I've tried to write them roughly in order of the process
No one can tell you whether you should use a lawyer or immigration consultant. It is your choice. I used one for my own personal reasons and I'm glad I did but there are plenty of people on here who chose not to and did perfectly well!
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH - people coming on to the forum asking about processing times or eligibility - everything is clear on the CIC website - read it! If you then don't understand, do a quick search on the forum. Still can't find the answer? Then please, do ask.
Duties are King: ok let's clear this up: job titles vary from company to company - it's the duties that CIC care about. Don't copy the noc code duties but make sure your duties are in line with them.
CEC is a pass/fail assessment: therefore if you don't supply what CIC is asking for, you will face problems
Your reference letter is vitally important: try your hardest to get one.
If it's not asked for: it's not needed. This applies throughout the process: everything that is required is requested. Education proof is not listed for example: so why ask if you need to send your university transcripts? Read things through carefully!
Check, check, and then check again. THEN get someone else to check it and then do some more checking: SO many people make stupid mistakes - like missing out some information on their form or not attaching a document
Take copies of everything! If you have access to a scanner then even better - scan it all and save it down to your computer. If something happens and you need to recall what you put on your forms, for whatever reason, then this will be a lifesaver
Instructions are along every step of the way - follow them carefully and you'll be fine. This includes making sure you are posting your application to the right address!
ALL CEC APPLICATIONS ARE PROCESSED IN OTTAWA. it doesn't matter what you put on the form. People try to dispute this one all the time. So I'm laying it out clearly here: #1: look at the CEC website and look at the processing times: other routes show multiple offices: CEC however has 1 timeline for 1 location: Ottawa. #2: CEC is about Canadian experience, so why would CIC ask VO's in other locations to process applications? There is no country-specific verification needed(apart from maybe security and criminality).
Your ecas may NEVER be updated - it depends on the VO. If it is going to be updated, it will stay as Application Received for a long time (at time of writing, some people had eligibility done at CIO, they went In Process but stayed there a while).
CIC is inconsistent when it comes to responding to email queries: would you rather people spend their time getting through applications? Or answering your queries?
The CIC call centre is not staffed with VO's. Call them several times with the same question: watch how many different answers you'll receive: CIC call centre is NOT reliable.
Applying for gcms DOES NOT impact your process
A lot depends on your VO - if you didn't send a perfect package, you may be given a chance to send it through or you may be rejected straight off:: it all depends on the VO and no one on this forum can give you a probability of success.
Just because others around you are getting to the next stage, it doesn't mean you should be there too. Different VO's have different files and are working on different things: the elements of the applications also take different processing times: someone who travelled to countries with known criminal links for example is more likely to be scrutinized more than someone who stayed put in a western or more stable country. That's just an example - hopefully you get my point.
Medicals look for certain things: HIV, syphillis and TB are the main ones. If you have a bit of a cold etc, it's not going to make you inadmissible. If you are worried about a condition then you should have a check up with your regular dr first so you are prepared.
It IS possible to do medicals during pregnancy: it is however totally your choice and it's recommended that x-rays are done in the second trimester. Do some research and you'll see the risk is very low. You can also get a letter of support from your OB or dr to help your case.
Stop freaking out! If you let yourself worry about every single thing that could go wrong you'll a)drive yourself insane b) lose focus and make an actual mistake c) drive everyone else insane
This forum is full of experienced people - there are several who were granted their PR as far as several years back. They are here to give something back and help people. Remember that and respect it as it's the whole reason this forum has survived.
Finally - Have a bit of faith: In CIC itself, in your visa officer, your lawyer, in Canada Post or any other mailing service, in your DMP, in everyone. People aren't in this to screw immigrants over: they have a job to do and they do it. Sometimes VO's make mistakes, others stick to the rules rigidly and others are a little more lenient. Whatever the situation though, you have very little influence on these groups so you may as well have some faith and good hope.
