Well, we've gotten our passport request exactly one year after we sent in our application. If anyone cares, these are my thoughts on the process.
1) CIC gave what they promised, a decision in 6 to 12 months. From my perspective, 12 months, from their perspective, 6 months. I don't think so highly of starting the count from the AOR for document submission, but now that the process has changed again, who knows?
2) Buffalo wasn't as bad as advertised. I sent my family's docs there in mid January, 2009, received an AOR from them in early March, had my file transferred 6 weeks later, got my medical request 6 weeks after that, did the medicals 6 weeks later, and got my passport request one week after submitting the medicals.
3) I think it's weird that receiving the visa, landing in Canada, and getting the PR card are separated into three phases. In my situation, it's very inconvenient. If Canada could manage to combine any two of these into a single stage, it would really make things a LOT easier, at the end of the process. Why does the consulate give you a visa? Why not a PR card good for one year? Why can't you get the PR card at the border?
4) We hired a lawyer, which was probably unnecessary. However, they did help us out on one big thing -- telling us that notarized documents were not required. This was a huge hurdle, since my family is abroad where notarization is not normal, and very expensive. If CIC could clear up a few little things like that, the process would be much friendlier.
5) I appreciate Canada's openness to immigrants, and CIC's honesty in continuing to process my application even after my profession was removed from their list. Thank you Canada! I hope to be a productive citizen. Just stamp my passport first, please.
6) The timelines will drive you nuts. Don't think about timelines, don't ask about them, don't share them. They are not your friends, the timelines. I'm only putting mine up at the top so people will read this post.
1) CIC gave what they promised, a decision in 6 to 12 months. From my perspective, 12 months, from their perspective, 6 months. I don't think so highly of starting the count from the AOR for document submission, but now that the process has changed again, who knows?
2) Buffalo wasn't as bad as advertised. I sent my family's docs there in mid January, 2009, received an AOR from them in early March, had my file transferred 6 weeks later, got my medical request 6 weeks after that, did the medicals 6 weeks later, and got my passport request one week after submitting the medicals.
3) I think it's weird that receiving the visa, landing in Canada, and getting the PR card are separated into three phases. In my situation, it's very inconvenient. If Canada could manage to combine any two of these into a single stage, it would really make things a LOT easier, at the end of the process. Why does the consulate give you a visa? Why not a PR card good for one year? Why can't you get the PR card at the border?
4) We hired a lawyer, which was probably unnecessary. However, they did help us out on one big thing -- telling us that notarized documents were not required. This was a huge hurdle, since my family is abroad where notarization is not normal, and very expensive. If CIC could clear up a few little things like that, the process would be much friendlier.
5) I appreciate Canada's openness to immigrants, and CIC's honesty in continuing to process my application even after my profession was removed from their list. Thank you Canada! I hope to be a productive citizen. Just stamp my passport first, please.
6) The timelines will drive you nuts. Don't think about timelines, don't ask about them, don't share them. They are not your friends, the timelines. I'm only putting mine up at the top so people will read this post.
