Manila Tread for English Speakers - join here!

[Luckyman]

Most of my research from posters on this forum has shown that the majority of Manila applications are complete 1 to 2 months after ppr.... With some even 2 weeks.

 

[Steph C]

Sorry about your timeline, Merlyn's Tim. That's really awful on their part. I hope your wife gets her well-deserved visa very, very soon!

 

[NewDad]

I just read through this entire thread. What a lot of pages for such a short time. My wife has not even begun her PR app yet as I am still doing the research for her. The first thing that comes to mind is the part about applying to Mississauga and then they send it to Manila. Is there any way to skip that step and apply direct to the embassy in Manila? I, the Canadian spouse, am in the Philippines with her and will stay here until its all done and we shall get on the plane together.

Is there a well written, step by step guide for a filipina to apply for spousal PR in Canada? (Link please?) Has anyone used any of the Visa Agencies around the Philippines? Was it a good one and did it help in any way?

 

[WoodyKatie]

LOL. I'm still laughing about his veiled threat, "Do you really want to go down that road with me?"......LMAO.
I do understand that him being a level 67 Battlemage may imbue him with great powers but once you logoff Worlds of Warcraft those powers don't translate to the real world.
I wonder if his mom is going to let him on the internet tonight?

hahaha....

 

[Steph C]

I just read through this entire thread. What a lot of pages for such a short time. My wife has not even begun her PR app yet as I am still doing the research for her. The first thing that comes to mind is the part about applying to Mississauga and then they send it to Manila. Is there any way to skip that step and apply direct to the embassy in Manila? I, the Canadian spouse, am in the Philippines with her and will stay here until its all done and we shall get on the plane together.

Is there a well written, step by step guide for a filipina to apply for spousal PR in Canada? (Link please?) Has anyone used any of the Visa Agencies around the Philippines? Was it a good one and did it help in any way?

Hi NewDad, as long as your spouse is applying from another country and not from inside of Canada, you have to first submit your whole application to Mississauga. That's where they will first review you as a sponsor. I wouldn't recommend any of those scammy agencies in the Philippines. You can do it yourself, by carefully reading the instruction guides and filling out the required forms.. or you could seek advice of an immigration consultant, I think there are also a few around the forum. But none of those agencies in the Philippines would know any more then the people around here seem to. Here is a document, kind of an instruction guide, written by a member that may be helpful: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LF-oK0c_F9kKPfiP9MjlKZZ1RzqQVCRLOKWV3QsRGZI/edit?hl=fil&pli=1
While you're digesting all the forms to fill out, it would be best to start collecting the necessary documents - an option C print out from revenue canada for yourself, or if you've been in the Phils for a while you will need to print out proof of your income and how you intend to support yourselves in Canada. Look into getting a medical exam for her and any applicable children. Get your marriage certificate from the NSO. Get supporting letters from family and friends together, and start collecting your wedding pictures and other relationship evidence to include in your package. Good Luck! There are many of us here on this forum who can help with any stage of the process.

 

[WoodyKatie]

I just read through this entire thread. What a lot of pages for such a short time. My wife has not even begun her PR app yet as I am still doing the research for her. The first thing that comes to mind is the part about applying to Mississauga and then they send it to Manila. Is there any way to skip that step and apply direct to the embassy in Manila? I, the Canadian spouse, am in the Philippines with her and will stay here until its all done and we shall get on the plane together.

Is there a well written, step by step guide for a filipina to apply for spousal PR in Canada? (Link please?) Has anyone used any of the Visa Agencies around the Philippines? Was it a good one and did it help in any way?

Hi! There's no way to skip Step 1 (approval by Mississauga). We are on the same case, I am the principal applicant and my husband is my sponsor.. He is in the Philippines too and will be back in Canada with me once I have my COPR. The best way is to start the application very soon.. Youre lucky because the Stage 1 is very fast by this time unlike last year which is 3 months. In my opinion, I would not ask for help of a visa agency. The questions you need to answer are very personal and only you and your wife can answer. You must know what you have written in it. If you need help in answering question/s, just post it in the forums and people will be glad to help you.

 

[NewDad]

Thanks, fellow members. The reason I asked about using an agent is because paperwork gives me stress and headaches. I hate stress and headaches.

I posted in another thread, but have no answers yet, so let me ask: If my spouse's Philippine passport expires Dec 2013 (11 months away) are we safe to start all this now? Or better to wait until she can renew her passport?

 

[WoodyKatie]

Thanks, fellow members. The reason I asked about using an agent is because paperwork gives me stress and headaches. I hate stress and headaches.

I posted in another thread, but have no answers yet, so let me ask: If my spouse's Philippine passport expires Dec 2013 (11 months away) are we safe to start all this now? Or better to wait until she can renew her passport?

Is her name in passport changed to married name? The guide says that the passport must be valid for 18 months from the time of application so I think she must renew her passport. For me, the stress and headache will be doubled if you have an agent. Imagine this, you are about to think and answer the questions by yourself and then all they have to do (I mean the agent) is to type what you have said and then they will mail the application. The stress and headaches are yours too while they have the fortune money.

 

[scos]

And if you really insist on having someone else do the paperwork, you would be better hiring an immigration lawyer in Canada to do it than an "agency". My brother did it that way. He still had to contend with missing paperwork and retesting and all that. But he seemed satisfied with the results.

 

[Merlyns_Tim]

Hopefully they are not giving you the run-around and your file really does have no issues and you get an answer soon. Did they take her passport yet? I hear Manila tends to ask for it earlier in the process than most other VOs.

The passport was sent in very early so she hasn't even been able to travel even if she wanted or needed to since they've had that for about a year now.

 

[Merlyns_Tim]

Sorry about your timeline, Merlyn's Tim. That's really awful on their part. I hope your wife gets her well-deserved visa very, very soon!

Thanks Steph C
It's been a big strain both emotionally and financially as we wait, so we sure hope they move on it faster now that the holiday season is over.

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

Thanks Steph C
It's been a big strain both emotionally and financially as we wait, so we sure hope they move on it faster now that the holiday season is over.

You were told your application had no problems and its been well over a year. Others get it within 6 to 8 months. One person got it all done in 3 months. I think the trick is to have a friend in the Manila VO.

 

[Luckyman]

Manila office is cookin' right now... Yay!

 

[AnaMaria]

For me, the stress and headache will be doubled if you have an agent. Imagine this, you are about to think and answer the questions by yourself and then all they have to do (I mean the agent) is to type what you have said and then they will mail the application. The stress and headaches are yours too while they have the fortune money.

I totally agree. They will not gather the documents for you. They will have you do that part of work. And you will be worried about when they will type them up and send them to Mississauga. And you should not assume the application they prepare, based on your input, will be error-free. It seems many people do not receive copies of application (this will add more $$$). Everyone here has gone through the headaches . In order to minimize the headache, I would not use the agencies.

 

[tuyen]

LOL. I'm still laughing about his veiled threat, "Do you really want to go down that road with me?"......LMAO.

It wasn't a veiled threat. It was in response to your lame little insult about my English comprehension, when you said, "Let the group know when you have completed your ESL classes. English comprehension isn't as difficult as it first appears."

And my response was to let you know that if you REALLY wanted to put your intelligence and/or life's accomplishments up against my own, I'd be more than happy to embarrass you any time you want to go down that road with me.

But then I remembered what my parents always taught me about not picking on the handicapped (both physical and mental), so I decided to just let you go on your merry way and allow you think that you won the argument.

So by all means, continue nagging CIC with your politician, and I'm CONFIDENT that it will result in your application receiving lightning-fast processing.