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[Gumper]

...my lawyer said he has never actually heard of the Canadian Embassy actually making anyone go through the court system.

Just wanted to add too, the DSWD said they would only write a letter on behalf of my wife (confirming her sole custody) IF ASKED BY THE DESTINATION EMBASSY. Can't see CEM providing something like that either, so hope what we have (plus my upcoming letter of further explanation) will suffice.

 

[O_guy]

Just wanted to add too, the DSWD said they would only write a letter on behalf of my wife (confirming her sole custody) IF ASKED BY THE DESTINATION EMBASSY. Can't see CEM providing something like that either, so hope what we have (plus my upcoming letter of further explanation) will suffice.

Perhaps you can use the form IMM5604 (a release from the non-accompanying parent) as a proof that the letter is important.

 

[Gumper]

Perhaps you can use the form IMM5604 (a release from the non-accompanying parent) as a proof that the letter is important.

Yes, we tried that. My wife showed them the form, explained her aversion to finding bio-dad etc. They weren't swayed, said they would need a formal letter from CEM specifically.

 

[Martin1]

I am in a similar situation, although we have not yet applied...we are still trying to get all our ducks lined up. In our situation, my step daughter has no father listed on the BC, but my step son does. We are working through the courts to get sole custody for him, which will happen...father hasn't been around since he was 1...he is 9 now. The courts won't waste their time on the daughter, since it is assumed my wife already has sole custody of her...will this cause us issue when it comes before the visa office?

Dumb question...what does CEM stand for?

 

[Gumper]

I am in a similar situation, although we have not yet applied...we are still trying to get all our ducks lined up. In our situation, my step daughter has no father listed on the BC, but my step son does. We are working through the courts to get sole custody for him, which will happen...father hasn't been around since he was 1...he is 9 now. The courts won't waste their time on the daughter, since it is assumed my wife already has sole custody of her...will this cause us issue when it comes before the visa office? Dumb question...what does CEM stand for?

"Canadian Embassy Manila" is what I always assumed. Re: your step son, would be curious to hear more about that process especially in light of auditt's experience (ie duration & costs involved). Can bio-dad not be found (and cooperate) to complete IMM5604? Could obviate the rest of the lawyer process, no? In your daughter's case are you sending an addendum, citing specific laws that indicate her custody status or just the bc and assume that the visa office will "know the drill"? Aside from the affidavit we sent attesting to my wife's care & upbringing of her son without the father, I am still grappling with submitting another note to CEM to reiterate compliance with the specific Philippines law on this -- the article of law I still don't have an exact reference for! How old is your daughter btw?

 

[Martin1]

We are assuming that because she is a single mother, with no father listed, and no history of ever having a father, that it will suffice with the Visa process. My step daughter is 11.

My wife went to a lawyer. I might be wrong, but I think it cost around 20 000 php...so around $500 cdn. The lawyer made application to the courts. The father (step sons), to the best of our knowledge, moved to the United States. Since the courts need to do due diligence, letters have been sent to his last known address, to give him the opportunity to appear in defence of his parental rights. The case comes up on May 14. Whether he has received these notices isn't known, until then.

 

[Gumper]

We are assuming that because she is a single mother, with no father listed, and no history of ever having a father, that it will suffice with the Visa process. My step daughter is 11. My wife went to a lawyer. I might be wrong, but I think it cost around 20 000 php...so around $500 cdn. The lawyer made application to the courts. The father (step sons), to the best of our knowledge, moved to the United States. Since the courts need to do due diligence, letters have been sent to his last known address, to give him the opportunity to appear in defence of his parental rights. The case comes up on May 14. Whether he has received these notices isn't known, until then.

I assume they have a "cut-off" point for the father to materialize, otherwise they default full custody to your wife? Hope you don't have to wait too long, if you have everything else together for the application it would be a shame to just keep waiting on this part (unless you are in no rush of course). And that fee of 20k PHP is a heck of a lot better than what auditt was presented with.

 

[limejuice_23]

Hello! I hope someone can advise me as to how the V.O sends back your passport if you are living outside of PH?

Thank you for your time. Have a great day ahead.

 

[mrsalvaro]

Hello! I hope someone can advise me as to how the V.O sends back your passport if you are living outside of PH?

Thank you for your time. Have a great day ahead.

thru DHL courier.

 

[Edgehead78]

Hi,
I am a bit ahead of my time since we are January 2014 applicants and, of course, our case didn't get any improvement since SA.
I am planning to fly on Philippine Airlines to come back here with my wife once she gets her visa. I am living on the east coast so we will land in Toronto. Knowing that the flight is stopping in Vancouver first for refueling and dropping passengers, one question grew up in my mind. Do we will have to do the landing process in Vancouver since its the first place in Canada we will physically land or we can wait until Toronto since its the same flight?
The connecting time is about 1h30 so I want to make sure I will not miss the second flight because of processing.
Thanks for sharing your experience.

I am also open to other flight suggestions that would not involve transiting through the US.

 

[ellimac1928]

Hi,
I am a bit ahead of my time since we are January 2014 applicants and, of course, our case didn't get any improvement since SA.
I am planning to fly on Philippine Airlines to come back here with my wife once she gets her visa. I am living on the east coast so we will land in Toronto. Knowing that the flight is stopping in Vancouver first for refueling and dropping passengers, one question grew up in my mind. Do we will have to do the landing process in Vancouver since its the first place in Canada we will physically land or we can wait until Toronto since its the same flight?
The connecting time is about 1h30 so I want to make sure I will not miss the second flight because of processing.
Thanks for sharing your experience.

I am also open to other flight suggestions that would not involve transiting through the US.

hello!! from the seminar for immigrants i've attended, you will do the landing process in the first state of the country where you will land, which is in Vancouver... you can ask/ inquire for the landing process for those with connecting flights, to maybe expedite the process...
you will need transit visa when you're flight will stop at the US. so highly not recommended...

 

[Step]

Hi,
I am a bit ahead of my time since we are January 2014 applicants and, of course, our case didn't get any improvement since SA.
I am planning to fly on Philippine Airlines to come back here with my wife once she gets her visa. I am living on the east coast so we will land in Toronto. Knowing that the flight is stopping in Vancouver first for refueling and dropping passengers, one question grew up in my mind. Do we will have to do the landing process in Vancouver since its the first place in Canada we will physically land or we can wait until Toronto since its the same flight?
The connecting time is about 1h30 so I want to make sure I will not miss the second flight because of processing.
Thanks for sharing your experience.

I am also open to other flight suggestions that would not involve transiting through the US.

Hello Edgehead78, if flight to Toronto is booked with PAL. ( Manila to to Toronto) There is a transit area( when you depart plane they ask if you are continuing on to Toronto) Toronto fliers go one way, Vancouver another which takes you to Immigration.So I don't believe you have to "land" in Vancouver can wait and do at Toronto.
I have never went this route, always only Vancouver for me. Have noticed since PAL added Toronto they now separate at de boarding. Someone with experience will have to confirm.

 

[mr.peace]

Hi,
I am a bit ahead of my time since we are January 2014 applicants and, of course, our case didn't get any improvement since SA.
I am planning to fly on Philippine Airlines to come back here with my wife once she gets her visa. I am living on the east coast so we will land in Toronto. Knowing that the flight is stopping in Vancouver first for refueling and dropping passengers, one question grew up in my mind. Do we will have to do the landing process in Vancouver since its the first place in Canada we will physically land or we can wait until Toronto since its the same flight?
The connecting time is about 1h30 so I want to make sure I will not miss the second flight because of processing.
Thanks for sharing your experience.

I am also open to other flight suggestions that would not involve transiting through the US.

Your wife will be processed in Vancouver.

 

[truesmile]

On my first, only, and LAST experience with PAL, the passengers carrying on to Toronto, didn't even get off the plane. Now I didn't have landing procedures to do BUT, I didn't clear customs until I disembarked in Toronto. So if it's the same plane and you don't disembark, you won't "land" until Toronto. This is from "personal" experience.

All the other major airlines (not transiting through the U.S.), have stopovers outside of Canada, making it a sure thing . . . that you will "land", once you land in Toronto. Unless PAL is absolutely the cheapest available, I don't recommend them. They're very annoying to deal with.

 

[Edgehead78]

Ok looks like we have some mixed opinions here on what will happen.

@truesmile, so you would recommend that I use an asian airline that is serving Toronto from Manila through another asian city? Do you have examples? Please not Air Canada as they are always more expensive than any other one.
I don't really want to process a transit visa for my wife in another country, including US, so I need a place where Filipinos are visa-exempt.

@Step, What was your experience with PAL? Looks like truesmile had a bad one so I would like to know what is yours.

@mr.peace, is it doable in an hour of transit time?