tow75 said:
Hey everyone. I checked ecas this morning and a decision was made on january2nd for both sponsorship and permanent residence. Under permanent residence it says in process and then decision made right afterwards. I think this is a clear refusal. But I also know how unreliable ecas is... Is there some remote chance this is not a refusal?
It's certainly possible it isn't a refusal, but given the background of your story I suspect you're right - that the "DM" is a refusal and she has decided you have an MOC. I hope you challenge her on this because from what I can tell she has made a poor decision and has not afforded you procedural guarantees.
The one good thing is that because her DM came
after your request for additional time to submit evidence the chance of being overturned by the Federal Court on that basis alone is quite high - they really don't like that sort of thing. The Federal Court gives
no deference to the tribunal (in this case the visa officer) when it comes to issues of procedural fairness.
I've often wondered how many of the MOC refusals were legitimate - the government has represented that the 8% of inland applications are marriages of convenience and I wonder how many of those refusals are illegitimate but people don't fight.
One good thing about Federal Court is that it's much faster than IAD appeals (at least in Toronto). Outland is popular because of the IAD appeals route, but frankly the idea of waiting 2.5 years for a hearing is an ugly one.
Of course, I couldn't blame you if you decided to just move. Then you can re-file at a later time. A different decision make might very easily reach a different opinion after an interview.
My other suggestion: order your case notes. Request a
physical copy of your file. Note anything that is missing from that physical copy that you submitted. They will have to submit an electronic copy of the notes if you do file an application for leave ("Rule 9") and that generally takes about 2 weeks. The physical file will likely require longer (it took 2.5 months for mine.) One other thing that happens once you file an application for leave is that someone WILL review your file.
Before filing, you may wish to submit a request for reconsideration to the program manager in Vegreville and include the additional evidence. The problem is that unless they reopen your file within the 15 days allowed you need to file that leave application, though you could fuse your letter, stating that it is your intent to file the application but will give them until the end of January to respond. Then when you file the leave application you can also file a motion to allow for late filing (it's likely it would be allowed given that you were giving the VO time to consider the additional evidence and re-open your file).
If you do ask for reconsideration
send it via courier - you want evidence that it was received. That will be important as well.