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Is there any reason why we should get our application in before Oct 1?

thereds

Full Member
Sep 27, 2011
48
3
I've been told by a consultant based in Dubai that I should apply before Oct 1 as all the applications received in the Damascus office will be moved to the CIO in Nova Scotia for processing. This transfer from Damascus to the CIO will create a backlog of applications, which will increase the processing time from the standard 1 year to 5-6 years.

The consultant then suggested that to avoid having to wait 5-6 years, he could get my name in before Oct 1 using only my passport copy and registering my name through some service he has access to with the relevant Canadian authorities. As the consultant is a CSIC member (this has been verified), the consultants at this firm claim to have access to this 'service' and he would be able to register my name as an applicant before Oct 1 by paying an advance of approx. USD 500 with the balance to be paid in 14 instalments. Once he has registered me, I have 2 months to come up with the completed application forms and the supporting documentation to submit my formal application.

My questions are as follows:
  • Do CSIC members have access to this 'service'?
  • Or, is the consultant full of it and just lying to make some quick money?
  • And lastly and most importantly, is there any truth to the application backlog story and increased processing times?
 

sanity

Hero Member
Jun 8, 2011
271
19
Category........
Visa Office......
New Delhi
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
12th July 2011
IELTS Request
8.0
Thereds,

Beware of this consultant as he is definetly dragging you into a scam - you should clearly stay away from such bogus agents.
From your query, it is not clear if you are planning to file a FSW application. If yes, then it should be send to the NS office - they will then forward it to your VO. To better stream the flow of applications, the MI list is aiming at completing an eligible application within 12 months.

Please check the CIC website & follow the instructions. Irrespective of the consultant being a CSIC member or a top boss, he/she cannot bypass the system and procedure - it is applicable for everyone so there is no preference if you go via a consultant or file it yourself. Only when CIC receives the complete application pack, will they start processing your application else they simply return the documents. This guy is just trying to make some easy money - lure you into a trap so after you put down a deposit, you are tied down to even change your mind.

Good luck with your application - the choice is yours !

Sanity
 

Cappuccino

VIP Member
Jun 23, 2009
4,594
409
Category........
Visa Office......
London
NOC Code......
3131
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
30-Aug-2010
AOR Received.
15-Dec-2010
IELTS Request
Sent with app - 8.5 band score
Med's Request
13-Apr-2011
Med's Done....
19-Apr-2011
Passport Req..
28-June-2011
VISA ISSUED...
21-July-2011
LANDED..........
27-Aug-2011[br][br]ECAS[br]Recd By VO.....: 11-Feb-2011[br]In Process.......: 15-Mar-2011[br]Decision Made.: 25-Jun-2011
thereds said:
I've been told by a consultant based in Dubai that I should apply before Oct 1 as all the applications received in the Damascus office will be moved to the CIO in Nova Scotia for processing. This transfer from Damascus to the CIO will create a backlog of applications, which will increase the processing time from the standard 1 year to 5-6 years.

The consultant then suggested that to avoid having to wait 5-6 years, he could get my name in before Oct 1 using only my passport copy and registering my name through some service he has access to with the relevant Canadian authorities. As the consultant is a CSIC member (this has been verified), the consultants at this firm claim to have access to this 'service' and he would be able to register my name as an applicant before Oct 1 by paying an advance of approx. USD 500 with the balance to be paid in 14 instalments. Once he has registered me, I have 2 months to come up with the completed application forms and the supporting documentation to submit my formal application.

My questions are as follows:
  • Do CSIC members have access to this 'service'?
  • Or, is the consultant full of it and just lying to make some quick money?
  • And lastly and most importantly, is there any truth to the application backlog story and increased processing times?
This smells of scam from top to bottom
1) CIO do not process applications - visa offices process applications.
2) Even pre-June-2010 have been told their applications should be processed within 2 years. In which Universe would the higher priority MI-2/MI-3 post July 2011 applications take 5 to 6 years?
3) There is no such thing as a service where you supply only your passport. Your FULL application including IELTS results and all supporting documents must be sent to CIO from the outset.

So to answer your specific queries
Do CSIC members have access to this 'service'? - No, this service does not exist
Or, is the consultant full of it and just lying to make some quick money? - Yes the consultant is full of it. DO NOT PAY this guy anything
And lastly and most importantly, is there any truth to the application backlog story and increased processing times? - almost certainly not, it is ridiculous.

Please avoid this fraudulent consultant, and save yourself a lot of money and wasted time.

Wayne.
 

thereds

Full Member
Sep 27, 2011
48
3
Thanks for the replies guys.

I wasn't planning on using this consultant without doing a thorough check myself and you guys have just confirmed my suspicions.
 

devilhimselff

Champion Member
Jul 10, 2005
1,628
125
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
LANDED..........
Yep...
Also send an email to CIC and report this crook. So that he doesn't con anyone else.
 

thereds

Full Member
Sep 27, 2011
48
3
devilhimselff said:
Also send an email to CIC and report this crook. So that he doesn't con anyone else.
Unfortunately, I don't have anything in writing from this guy, so it's going to be hard to prove.
 

sanity

Hero Member
Jun 8, 2011
271
19
Category........
Visa Office......
New Delhi
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
12th July 2011
IELTS Request
8.0
thereds said:
Unfortunately, I don't have anything in writing from this guy, so it's going to be hard to prove.
I reckon a smart move is to summarise the details he shared, on an email & ask him to clarify some silly Q - eg: the breakdown of installments so you can write a cheque blah blah ...

Play the trick smartly so he can get a taste of the dirt he tried!

Sanity
 

thebeast184

Champion Member
Feb 21, 2011
1,130
50
Calgary, AB
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
OCT 2010
Doc's Request.
Submitted with App
AOR Received.
FEB 2011
IELTS Request
Submitted w App
Med's Request
Aug 2012
Med's Done....
Sep 2012
Passport Req..
Oct 2012
VISA ISSUED...
NOV 2012
LANDED..........
JAN 2013
Total scam. If you dont mind please share the agency name so others in this forum can avoid crooks.

Rod

thereds said:
I've been told by a consultant based in Dubai that I should apply before Oct 1 as all the applications received in the Damascus office will be moved to the CIO in Nova Scotia for processing. This transfer from Damascus to the CIO will create a backlog of applications, which will increase the processing time from the standard 1 year to 5-6 years.

The consultant then suggested that to avoid having to wait 5-6 years, he could get my name in before Oct 1 using only my passport copy and registering my name through some service he has access to with the relevant Canadian authorities. As the consultant is a CSIC member (this has been verified), the consultants at this firm claim to have access to this 'service' and he would be able to register my name as an applicant before Oct 1 by paying an advance of approx. USD 500 with the balance to be paid in 14 instalments. Once he has registered me, I have 2 months to come up with the completed application forms and the supporting documentation to submit my formal application.

My questions are as follows:
  • Do CSIC members have access to this 'service'?
  • Or, is the consultant full of it and just lying to make some quick money?
  • And lastly and most importantly, is there any truth to the application backlog story and increased processing times?
 

jmora

Star Member
Jul 24, 2010
134
2
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Doc's Request.
NA
If you are a resident in Dubai, and unless you are a Syrian National or applying for Quebec you don't have anything to do with Damascus. Applications from UAE residents get processed in London VO.

-If you are a UAE resident and a Syrian National applying under FSW I think you will have the choice between Damascus VO and London VO.
-If you are a UAE resident and a Syrian National applying under QSW I think your only option is Damascus.(not sure though)

Seems like a scam...