CPP-Ottawa

[Yellowrose]

Computergeek, most of what I've read has indicated that you shouldn't leave Canada until you receive your permanent residency card, but maybe she'll have it already because we're in the US? We'll also have to balance this, if possible, because she could have to pay out-of-country rates on her fall semester here. I'm hoping that's only if she lands and not for having a card.

To address the flurry of Canada/US posts in the last few days, one of the beautiful things my husband and I share is an appreciation of both of our countries. I love the softer Canadian demeanor that brought me to my husband, and, yes, I agree, I'd rather deal with a Canadian customs agent any day. I fail to see why the customs agents in my own country would be less friendly to me than those in a foreign country. College is more affordable in Canada. I love the no handguns policy, and there are pro's to the healthcare.

The US also has pro's to the healthcare. There are more niches for some jobs. We live in an area of Mexican food and margaritas, how will we ever live without them! But we also live in the shadow of the Mexican/American border and the issues with the drug cartels.

What I do cherish is that my husband and I respect the differences between our countries. I have two daughters in their 20's here, and he has an extended family with two sons still in high school, aging parents, and a great job, so he made it clear when I met him that he had ties, at least at this point, in Canada to stay, so we've always known that it would be me moving. I'm ready for the adventure, let's get this going!

 

[IvanP]

OK, question for you guys, I applied to move to Alberta to live with my husband. My 21 year old daughter and I live in Texas, and our medical expires, I think, on the 7th of December. She is in a 2 year college certificate program now and wants to finish it in the fall. Unfortunately, school will end right before Christmas, or about 10 days after the medical expires. Has anyone experienced anything like this? All I've seen are the scary comments about starting the process over, but it seems a little weird that your child would have to stop taking courses during the process because they didn't know the timing or drop out mid-semester. Heading to bed soon, may have to respond later, but will come back to read responses, as this is causing some turmoil.

Since you got sponsorship approval in early January, there's a very good chance you'll have your COPR sometime this summer and you'll be able to land in the summer, but computergeek is right that you she could land at any time and then just nip back to Texas from Alberta to finish her school. The medicals become irrelevant once you become a PR. No need for turmoil in this case!

 

[thetreble]

Has anyone emailed Ottawa to ask a question regarding their case before the normal processing times were up and received a reply?

Yes I have in the past although it took them longer then if it had been beyond the normal processing times. I just emailed them last week because it seemed like it was taking forever to get COPR. 10 days later, I haven't heard back, but we already got the COPR so it doesn't matter.

 

[thetreble]

What I do cherish is that my husband and I respect the differences between our countries. I have two daughters in their 20's here, and he has an extended family with two sons still in high school, aging parents, and a great job, so he made it clear when I met him that he had ties, at least at this point, in Canada to stay, so we've always known that it would be me moving. I'm ready for the adventure, let's get this going!

The positive outlook is nice to hear! I hope it works out for you guys and you end up enjoying Canada. Just keep in mind that there will be some adjustments and I know, for me, I didn't know how much I loved this place until I started missing everything about it. It took about 6 months for it to start hitting me but after that, I thought about Canada every day and knew that I couldn't live without this land. There will probably be some nostaligic pain for you, too, but some people are able to keep that in their stride and be positive and keep moving on. I really respect that!

 

[Line]

Yes I have in the past although it took them longer then if it had been beyond the normal processing times. I just emailed them last week because it seemed like it was taking forever to get COPR. 10 days later, I haven't heard back, but we already got the COPR so it doesn't matter.

My status changed to Decision made on February 28 in E-cas. I e-mailed CPP-Ottawa and they were nice enough to tell me it has been approved. I am still waiting for COPR and I live in Ottawa...... I'm tempted to e-mail them again but I'm not sure if that will do me any good.

 

[thetreble]

You may still get the PPR even if they said the application has already been approved. If not, just hold on for the COPR. You should get it soon. I started to worry too but it's all for nothing. It just ended up taking 4 weeks to get to my husband in New Jersey.

I'm not sure emailing them would really do any good at this point since you are right on track.

 

[IvanP]

Ottawa's been pretty quiet lately...

 

[Rattles]

The US also has pro's to the healthcare. There are more niches for some jobs. We live in an area of Mexican food and margaritas, how will we ever live without them! But we also live in the shadow of the Mexican/American border and the issues with the drug cartels.

You will probably have to do what I have done. Learn to make it yourself. There is some mexican food up here but it is mostly chain restaurants like chichi's (I believe in Alberta) and places that are west coast Mexican but you will never be satisfied with that. I tried and it doesn't work. I will suggest using Homesick Texan. She is a woman like us (edit: except I'm not a woman)from Texas but she is living in New York for her job and had to figure out Texas food on her own. She now has the number one cookbook in the U.S. but you can get her recipes for free here. http://homesicktexan.blogspot.ca/p/recipe-index.html Her recipes are fantastic and you can tweak them all you want. I know the tortillas don't sound right for Texas but they are great and you will find nothing like them in the stores.

Good luck, you will miss Texas (I do but wouldn't go back as I love it here) but that will just make you into a better cook. Also, your name I love it but in Austin you are named after the most popular Gentleman's club in town. haha

 

[Rattles]

Ottawa's been pretty quiet lately...

Seen quite a few PPRs over the last week and status updates happened Monday.

 

[texancanadian]

it seems like things happen in bursts, rather than a consistent flow :

 

[IvanP]

Hi,

My husband and I just submitted our application. I wanted to be added on the spreadsheet

isa Office: CPP Ottawa
Medicals done: 07/11/2012
Application sent: 14/03/2013
Application received as per tracking: 15/03/2013
AOR received (1st stage)
SA received (1st stage)
AOR received (2nd stage)

Thank you!

Added you - good luck!

 

[IvanP]

Seen quite a few PPRs over the last week and status updates happened Monday.

But no PPRs or COPRs yet this week, that I know of, and no spreadsheet updates since the 15th (other than new additions). That's pretty slow.

 

[Rattles]

Anyone here immigrating to BC? If you are here already you may be in luck. I am still considered in process but I have found that you can get MSP (medical coverage) while you are still in process. You have to go under your spouse's account but it certainly takes away the pressure of no coverage. I am covered under MSP and her extended coverage through her work. Just a tip for those of you in the situation of sitting in Canada waiting for your PR.

Not sure what other Provinces do this but it doesn't hurt to check it out.

 

[Rattles]

But no PPRs or COPRs yet this week, that I know of, and no spreadsheet updates since the 15th (other than new additions). That's pretty slow.

I got my PPR Saturday so I suppose that was last week. Also, I have not requested being added to the spreadsheet but would like to now. Thanks Ivan.
Visa Office......: CPP-Ottawa
App. Filed.......: 17-10-2012
Doc's Request.: 16-03-2013
AOR Received.: NA
File Transfer...: 15-11-2012
Med's Done....: 05-08-2012
Interview........: waived
Passport Req..: 16-03-2013

At the same time of PPR I received a request for Australian Police Certificate.

 

[neenee25]

Awesome! Thanks for the answers everyone! Definitely feel (a little) better about the whole situation now.