Hi Guys and Girls
I know I had never posted my timelines but just wanted to update (to anyone that is interested) that I have recvd my family and my passports today. It was an eventful 11 months.
Infoseeker12 - you have been a big support.
And, I would like to personally thank jes_on. jes_on,if you are reading this, thank you. You had been a big help when I started out in this forum. Your patience and advice was really helpful.
there were a couple of things I learned from my experience......
1) This process can really take up a good part of your life. Learn to relax and divert your mind to other stuff - otherwise the process and the waiting period will drive you crazy.
2) It is your duty to convince the VO that you are eligible. Go through your documents 3 times and then go through them again. Are you convinced with your claims? If not, then how can a VO believe your claims? Remember that a VO doesnt have the patience or the attachment to spend time on your application and confirm with you.
3) I had applied with exact 1 year experience but I ensured that my documentation proof for the same was without any holes......and then I checked it again.
4) This has been said before and I just repeating the obvious - your company letter has to be PERFECT. i got a letter from my employer and the client and ensured that it covered all the points mentioned in the checklist. I also went 1 step further and asked my the client to put the NOC code in the letter. I felt that when a VO will see the NOC code in the letter from the client, it will give veracity to my claim. I know that the letter from HRSDC has been a point of debate before, but I sincerely feel that adding that does not cause any harm.
5) Birth certificate - another issue. It has been verified from many sources that date of birth cert from embassy is NOT a birth certificate, dont treat it as one. Other options - getting a birth certificate (my wife and I got ours), or school certificates or even an affidavit.
6) PCC - One of my PCC was 3 months and 10 days old when I sent my application and, they didnt ask me to submit a new one. I dont know why they didnt ask as I had appended a cover letter advising them that if required i would provide a new one but............
7) Please provide as much details as you can in your forms. Every address my wife and I changed in the last 10 years, every country we had stayed in or visited, every minute detail of our life was completely detailed in the forms - I felt that if i could convey to the VO that I had nothing to hide, he/she would be more convinced of my candidacy. Was I right? I dont know but it worked for me.
8. My child was born in Canada after I had applied. I sent them an email advising them of the birth but, till date they have not ask me to submit the birth certificate for the child. I had sent them the hospital discharge records and they were happy with that...........so, is it REALLY a requirement, I am not sure but I would recommend leaving the ball in their court for such issues. Inform them promptly and let them advise you on the next steps.
9) GCMS notes - use them - they bring peace of mind. I had got them in June 2013 and the notes indicated that everything was done on my application. There were VO notes indicating that PP to be requested and it was dated mid may 2013. However the PPR didnt come till Mid-July. Why? I have no idea and honestly, today, I dont care. So to all of those people that are waiting for their PPR - Please have some more patience. You all are almost there. I know it can get to be really frustrating but we do not have any control over this and there will come a time too for all of you when you wont even remember or care about this delay.
All of you have knowingly and unknowingly been a big help to my application process. I cant thank you all enough. All I can say is that make sure that you cross all the t's and dot all the i's - and then hope for the best.
Good luck.
