Government addresses spousal backlog and wait times

[MNM2015]

So is the problem overstaying? What I am having the most difficulty processing is, why don't they just issue a visa, and at the border issue a visitor record if they are concerned of overstays...

That is one of their big reasons for denying visitor visas. Just because you have a visitor record doesn't stop you from overstaying. What I don't understand is why it is used as a reason to deny a visitor visa but yet from reading on this forum there seems to be plenty of visa exempt people overstaying with no consequences. I've read many stories of people overstaying repeatedly or for many years. Often they just haven't been caught but if they are and have submitted a PR application CBSA usually just leaves them alone. Why if you apply for a visitor visa after applying for PR are these people not given the same treatment? If people who have already proven they will overstay are allowed to remain in Canada simply because they have a PR application in process, they should not be able to use overstaying as a reason to deny a visitor visa of a PR applicant.

 

[flx2015]

I'm sure a lot of people won't agree with me but focusing their efforts on inland and Ottawa is the wrong approach. While it's crazy inland people were waiting over 2 years before at least they were together and as long as they followed the rules to remain in status they are able to work within a few months. That's all Outland people want - to be together and be able to work. I know there are travel restrictions while waiting inland but it's not comparable to be separated from your spouse and it was their choice to apply inland knowing the processing times and rules.

The Ottawa VO was always fast and takes applications from visa exempt countries. While it's nice Americans are getting through in 2 or 3 months instead of 6 I don't think that cutting their processing time in half impacts their lives the same way doing that for other VOs would. A lot of Anericans and visa exempt applicants are already together waiting out the process together. If they are not, they have the ability to visit more often due to being visa exempt and in a lot of cases cheaper flights and shorter travel distances. To cut the processing time in half or even shave a few months off other VOs would make a huge difference for people who have not even been able to see their spouse in months.

Instead of focusing on Ottawa they should be aiming to reduce all VOs to a reasonable time frame like 6 months. I appreciate that changing inland and Ottawa was probably the easiest since they are processed in Canada so a logical first step but it can and should be done in other VOs too. The other VOs are where people are suffering more.

well said.

the most frustrating part is that some of the overseas visa offices actually do have the ability to process applications much faster than they're doing now. london, for example, had been processing applications within a lighting fast 4-5 months right around election time. their processing time prior to that was around 12 months. now that the elections are long time, they've suddenly slowed back down to the slow pace they were working at before. they can do it, but for whatever reason, they just don't think it's a priority.

 

[ImABule]

Im the same as you Flx, it's been a year almost as our wedding anniversary is the 18th of this month. What pisses me off if that I'm a father of a 6 year old girl that loves my wife to death and can't figure out why she isn't here yet... Further more if CIC wants more information why we haven't been back to Philippines how in the hell do I explain to them that my daughter only has so many days off school? I'm about ready to plan a life without Canada and make a life in the Philippines so my daughter could actually enjoy and grow up with her new Mom......

I have a 5 year old daughter who is limited to talking to her step mom through a screen on Skype. Totally understand.

So is the problem overstaying? What I am having the most difficulty processing is, why don't they just issue a visa, and at the border issue a visitor record if they are concerned of overstays...

GCMS notes said they weren't convinced she was a real student or she would leave after authorized stay in Canada.

That is one of their big reasons for denying visitor visas. Just because you have a visitor record doesn't stop you from overstaying. What I don't understand is why it is used as a reason to deny a visitor visa but yet from reading on this forum there seems to be plenty of visa exempt people overstaying with no consequences. I've read many stories of people overstaying repeatedly or for many years. Often they just haven't been caught but if they are and have submitted a PR application CBSA usually just leaves them alone. Why if you apply for a visitor visa after applying for PR are these people not given the same treatment? If people who have already proven they will overstay are allowed to remain in Canada simply because they have a PR application in process, they should not be able to use overstaying as a reason to deny a visitor visa of a PR applicant.

The system is completely biased towards exempt applicants.

 

[Sous02]

There is an assumption by cic that if you are from a visa required country you are without a life and you are begging to come to Canada. How presumptuous of my country and emberassing. You can provide all the proof you are asked for and it is a spin of a the wheel. In our case the gcms notes contradict themselves and point to wanting to say no first and working big towards that goal. Try explaining to a successful spouse why our country does not want them. I have lost at a lot of respect for my homeland during this process.

 

[Djl]

I have a 5 year old daughter who is limited to talking to her step mom through a screen on Skype. Totally understand.

GCMS notes said they weren't convinced she was a real student or she would leave after authorized stay in Canada.

The system is completely biased towards exempt applicants.

Thanks ImABule, at least we aren't the only ones in this mess.

 

[flx2015]

I have lost at a lot of respect for my homeland during this process.

same here. i came to canada with my family as a child and grew up here. i used to love everything about this country, up until i got caught up in this miserable process. this country feels like a prison now.

i really hope i'll be able to find a suitable job overseas so i can finally leave canada and be with my wife.

Thanks ImABule, at least we aren't the only ones in this mess.

hey man, here's another december 2015 applicant from MVO who just got PPR: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/decision-made-what-does-it-meanhelp-please-t451823.0.html

have you checked your MyCIC or asked your MP for an update? if there's other december applicants getting PPRs then they must at the very least be working on your application right now.

 

[ImABule]

same here. i came to canada with my family as a child and grew up here. i used to love everything about this country, up until i got caught up in this miserable process. this country feels like a prison now.

i really hope i'll be able to find a suitable job overseas so i can finally leave canada and be with my wife.

hey man, here's another december 2015 applicant from MVO who just got PPR: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/decision-made-what-does-it-meanhelp-please-t451823.0.html

have you checked your MyCIC or asked your MP for an update? if there's other december applicants getting PPRs then they must at the very least be working on your application right now.

I'm Canadian born and raised, and I am just as bitter as you.

 

[mikeymyke]

flx2015, what's the status of your wife's PR app now?

 

[flx2015]

flx2015, what's the status of your wife's PR app now?

still at 0% unfortunately. nothing started. thank you for asking though.

looks like every London VO applicant from december 2015 onward (whether visa exempt or not) is in the same situation. even Manila VO has begun finalizing applications from december 2015. last i checked, Manila's backlog of spousal apps was about 15% smaller than London's, so maybe they'll begin working on my wife's app soon? who knows.

 

[profiler]

still at 0% unfortunately. nothing started. thank you for asking though.

looks like every London VO applicant from december 2015 onward (whether visa exempt or not) is in the same situation.

You got an AOR2 and that was it?

 

[mikeymyke]

still at 0% unfortunately. nothing started. thank you for asking though.

looks like every London VO applicant from december 2015 onward (whether visa exempt or not) is in the same situation. even Manila VO has begun finalizing applications from december 2015. last i checked, Manila's backlog of spousal apps was about 15% smaller than London's, so maybe they'll begin working on my wife's app soon? who knows.

have you ordered gcms notes yet?

 

[flx2015]

You got an AOR2 and that was it?

kind of. london doesn't send AOR2; they just update ECAS and then put the file away.

have you ordered gcms notes yet?

yes, twice. i got my latest notes several days ago and they showed that nothing had been started.

 

[profiler]

... wow ...

and I am assuming your MP doesn't have answers

 

[flx2015]

... wow ...

and I am assuming your MP doesn't have answers

nope.

up until july 2013, all pakistani spousal apps were processed at islamabad VO which was notorious for taking up to 26+ months to process applications. london VO took over starting august 2013, and they've been able to maintain an average of about 12 months. the problem is that my MP's office relies heavily on this site which still takes into account the processing times from islamabad when calculating the average for pakistani spousal apps. the result? they calmly tell me to wait 26 months, and that they can't help me before that.

 

[profiler]

nope.

up until july 2013, all pakistani spousal apps were processed at islamabad VO which was notorious for taking up to 26+ months to process applications. london VO took over starting august 2013, and they've been able to maintain an average of about 12 months. the problem is that my MP's office relies heavily on this site which still takes into account the processing times from islamabad when calculating the average for pakistani spousal apps. the result? they calmly tell me to wait 26 months, and that they can't help me before that.

I hope I am not in your riding! The MP here was willing to help me straighten out an MPP who didn't answer her phone! You can raise the issue higher than your MP I think...

But I feel for ya -- it really sucks!