CIC Horror Story Begins

[CharlizeRai]

So,

This is my situation. I had 12 envelopes of materials sent to CIC (all 12 envelopes labeled with envelope 1 of 12, 2 of 12 and so forth). When I went to ship with Canada Post, the post woman decided it would be best to put these 12 envelopes into 3 larger envelopes. I listened to her, like a fool, instead of going with a box.

I was really anxious about them all arriving and not getting lost, so she wrote on each of the large envelopes, envelope 1 of 3.

I got one of my large envelopes back in the mail today saying I was missing forms (well...obviously...you only opened 1 out of 3 large envelopes - thus, only 3 out of 12 smaller envelopes).

Now I don't know what to do. When I tracked the large envelopes, all three arrived at the destination at the same minute. So I am unsure how they managed to miss the information in the other two.

They also told me in my letter that my information was not even put into the queue because not all of the documentation was there. So I am pretty upset, because this arrived to CIC three weeks ago.

I am so frustrated, I can't believe there is this large of a problem already.

Any suggestions.

All three larger envelopes also had a piece of paper that said - envelope 1 of 3, and so forth.

I don't know how it got messed up already.

 

[bagelbagel81]

Oh no! I am so sorry to hear Charlize!
Did you make a copy of your application information?
I would probably wait another week or so to see if CIC send back each of the envelopes- it is quite likely they are all on their way back to you.

Then I would go back to the post office and resend them in one document box (minus the 3 big envelopes) and put the 12 envelopes in there together to send.

I hope this happens quickly for you. On the bright side - at least you know now and not three months down the track...


PS. My application is also messed up, as I filled the additional family information form incorrectly. So now I have to either wait to hear from CIC regarding resupplying it, possibly get my package returned, or wait until I get a UCI number so I can resupply it to the Sydney VO.... definitely testing times....

 

[CharlizeRai]

Thanks. I appreciate your empathy.

I am just astounded. How does someone not realize there is more information when everything is so clearly labeled. And I know the packages were in the vicinity of each other because they all arrived within the same minute (literally as shown by Canada Post).

How am I supposed to have faith in this?

I have no idea how their system works, but I don't know how it is possible not to realize.

I made copies of the most important stuff.

But, in the time it took them to look at this, the criminal record check for my husband has since expired.

I am tired of this.

 

[CharlizeRai]

I want to call CIC tomorrow - is there any point?

 

[CrazyLucy]

I think your only option for now is you wait for the rest of your applications to come back. They're going to say the same thing as they open the other envelopes too and send them back. =/

 

[jazzi2001]

Its kind of your own fault. So you sent 3 seperate envelopes and paid shipping on 3 seperate items. Whereas you could of sent it in one box. With all the stuff you most likely knew from this forum alone, you should have known better.

 

[bagelbagel81]

I want to call CIC tomorrow - is there any point?

You may be able to get an extension on your husband's police certificate, if they allow you to use your first date of sending by Canada Post, so it may be well worth a call. Did you use the PO Box number or courier?
Sometimes I think some people are too lazy to put two and two together (or 1+2 in this case).

How frustrating for you. I would be super mad at the Post office worker too....

I would try calling/emailing in any case to see if CIC respond. If they don't, it might mean having to get another police record check completed

 

[CharlizeRai]

Its kind of your own fault. So you sent 3 seperate envelopes and paid shipping on 3 seperate items. Whereas you could of sent it in one box. With all the stuff you most likely knew from this forum alone, you should have known better.

When I went to the post office, I asked for a box, to which the woman said it's better if you don't send it in a box. It will take much longer, blah blah blah. I told her that i would feel better with a box, because I didn't want things to get lost. She said, no, it's best to put it in separate envelopes, if they are tracked they will all arrive at the same time.

So that is how that resulted. I figured that since CIC has such an important job to do, the employees are able to both count and read. So you are right, I should have followed my gut and taken by stuff somewhere else.

 

[bagelbagel81]

Its kind of your own fault. So you sent 3 seperate envelopes and paid shipping on 3 seperate items. Whereas you could of sent it in one box. With all the stuff you most likely knew from this forum alone, you should have known better.

CharlizeRei was listening to the woman at the post office thinking she knew best. I would have probably done the same thing in any other circumstance, thinking they have experience with sending these types of things. Sometimes those postal workers can be pretty difficult to deal with.

This thread is meant for some support and advice not unhelpful criticism...

 

[CharlizeRai]

Thanks.

 

[tavora]

When I went to the post office, I asked for a box, to which the woman said it's better if you don't send it in a box. It will take much longer, blah blah blah. I told her that i would feel better with a box, because I didn't want things to get lost. She said, no, it's best to put it in separate envelopes, if they are tracked they will all arrive at the same time.

So that is how that resulted. I figured that since CIC has such an important job to do, the employees are able to both count and read. So you are right, I should have followed my gut and taken by stuff somewhere else.

I'm sorry to hear this is happening to you -- very frustrating and upsetting. As others have suggested, wait to see if CIC sends your other envelopes back. I'd recommend sending your application via courier in a box if possible. I had three envelopes but one envelope (with the relationship evidence) was a little too big for them to be sent in a pack/large envelope, so we used a box. The lady at Purolator was very helpful -- she even cut the box down for me to save a bit on the cost.

 

[Fencesitter]

I sent a total of 5 envelopes.

Envelope 1 of 5 Sponsor forms + supporting documents
Envelope 2 of 5 Applicant forms + supporting documents
Envelopes 3-5 were our proof of relationship documents (all labelled 3 of 5, 4 of 5, and 5 of 5).

We labelled the back of each envelope with the mailing address for CIC with our return address.

We put all 5 envelopes inside a courier bag and sent it. I was also concerned if they would separate them or lose them, but no, they did not...received sponsorship approval exactly 3 months after submission.

I'd call CIC and try to get more information, but I am guessing they received each package as if they were a separate sponsorship application package...that's probably why they returned only 1 of 3...

It won't be a big deal, just send them a cover letter with an explanation and make sure they know that you have / had two additional packages that should have been kept together with a total of 12 envelopes.

FS

 

[Fencesitter]

I agree that criticism is not what is needed here. Yes, everything looks so clear in hindsight...but, let's focus on how to move forward and get this sorted out...which I think will not be a big problem.

That said, it is worth mentioning that when doing something of this magnitude, one should be extra careful...personally I wouldn't have listened to the postal employee (what do they know?!!)...I would have ensured that everything was together in one package. The way I look at all this immigration business is to keep it as idiot proof as possible...make the visa officer's job as easy as you can...avoid any mistakes by triple checking everything before submitting it...that's really the only sure way of reducing processing times and getting to Canada as quickly as possible (assuming your case doesn't have any red flags...).

Don't worry...you'll get everything sorted out and be back on track in no time!!!!

FS

 

[Hello121]

CharlizeRei was listening to the woman at the post office thinking she knew best. I would have probably done the same thing in any other circumstance, thinking they have experience with sending these types of things. Sometimes those postal workers can be pretty difficult to deal with.

This thread is meant for some support and advice not unhelpful criticism...

Same here. I bet I would have done the same. Postal worker on mailing important items? You would think they know better than anyone.

 

[I.N]

So sorry for what happened CharilizeRai, Probabelly they will send you back your application if its not compleat.

Mine was returned last October for a missing signiture. :-\

I happened to do mistakes as well with filling my application forms, and I noticed only now when I've read it once agin after I got interview request, to see where I went wrong....

Yes, we all we would have done better if would have know better what to expect.

Best of luck CharilizeRai.
Take care!