Nitpicky questions...

[sillyrichie]

Assembling documents today and need help. Can anyone help me?

- When assembling the application package, do I staple each separate document and then just clip the whole works together? Or, is there a better way to do this?
- Can I send the package without the criminal check (which is getting done this week as well) and without the medical? We intend to send those items when we have them but we want to get sponsorship going first. And, if I send my package without those items should I still send my husband's documents or only send the sponsorship items?

Three years ago my husband and I did the US immigration process and there were SO many details to follow. Now, I'm over-worried about Canadian immigration. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[scylla]

Don't staple. And try to keep the clipping to a minimum.

If you are applying outland, it's fine to send the police certificates later - but you really need to get the medical done before you send the application. Time to time we see outland applications returned if they lack proof of the medical.

You must send everything together in one package (i.e. both the sponsor and applicant sections).

 

[sillyrichie]

Don't staple. And try to keep the clipping to a minimum.

If you are applying outland, it's fine to send the police certificates later - but you really need to get the medical done before you send the application. Time to time we see outland applications returned if they lack proof of the medical.

You must send everything together in one package (i.e. both the sponsor and applicant sections).

I'm not sure how we are to send the medical with the application, because I cannot schedule it without some UME or IMM number that we don't have (and probably won't yet). What is this number?

 

[scylla]

I'm not sure how we are to send the medical with the application, because I cannot schedule it without some UME or IMM number that we don't have (and probably won't yet). What is this number?

You're located in the US - right? If so, you can easily schedule a medical without having an application / file number.

 

[sillyrichie]

You're located in the US - right? If so, you can easily schedule a medical without having an application / file number.

You'd think so. However, I tried - the recorded message at the office nearest us stated specifically that we needed some special number FIRST...

 

[rhcohen2014]

You'd think so. However, I tried - the recorded message at the office nearest us stated specifically that we needed some special number FIRST...

if this was the case, then US applicants would not be able to get medical exams up front as it is required in the application. Obviously, this isn't the case as 99% US applicants are able to schedule an UPFRONT medical exam without issue. Sure, there are some doctor's offices that are not as busy and are not up to date on the way CIC handles applications. This is why you need to talk to a real live human person and explain you are scheduling an UP FRONT medical.

if the doctor's office isn't familiar with this concept, then they need to be reported to CIC. most likely when you talk to a person, they will know what you are talking about, and schedule you accordingly. If they don't, then report them to cic and go to another doctor. Any applicant who has called the doctor's office and talked to a real live human being has been able to schedule an appointment. Some offices need a little more explanation than others. For family class sponsorship, you do NOT need any UCI number. You do NOT need to bring any IMM form, as it is all done electronically now. The doctor will give you an "emedical" receipt at the end which must go in the application package.

There are US applicants whose applications have been significantly delayed because they did not submit an upfront medical as it is required to on the application checklist.

 

[scylla]

you need to talk to a real live human person and explain you are scheduling an UP FRONT medical. if the doctor's office isn't familiar with this concept, then they need to be reported to CIC. most likely when you talk to a person, they will know what you are talking about, and schedule you accordingly. For family class sponsorship, you do NOT need any UCI number. You do NOT need to bring any IMM form, as it is all done electronically now. The doctor will give you an "emedical" receipt at the end which must go in the application package.

There are US applicants whose applications have been significantly delayed because they did not submit an upfront medical as it is required to on the application checklist.

Agreed with all of the above. Don't submit your application without completing the medical first.

 

[sillyrichie]

if this was the case, then US applicants would not be able to get medical exams up front as it is required in the application. Obviously, this isn't the case as 99% US applicants are able to schedule an UPFRONT medical exam without issue. Sure, there are some doctor's offices that are not as busy and are not up to date on the way CIC handles applications. This is why you need to talk to a real live human person and explain you are scheduling an UP FRONT medical.

if the doctor's office isn't familiar with this concept, then they need to be reported to CIC. most likely when you talk to a person, they will know what you are talking about, and schedule you accordingly. If they don't, then report them to cic and go to another doctor. Any applicant who has called the doctor's office and talked to a real live human being has been able to schedule an appointment. Some offices need a little more explanation than others. For family class sponsorship, you do NOT need any UCI number. You do NOT need to bring any IMM form, as it is all done electronically now. The doctor will give you an "emedical" receipt at the end which must go in the application package.

There are US applicants whose applications have been significantly delayed because they did not submit an upfront medical as it is required to on the application checklist.

Ahh, thank you! This makes sense. The recorded message asked for some number so I'm going to tell them what you told me here. Appreciate the help!

 

[Onemoretime]

Ahh, thank you! This makes sense. The recorded message asked for some number so I'm going to tell them what you told me here. Appreciate the help!

If you don't get a live person...invest the time to visit their office and talk to a human. Better than wasting time trying to call. Your waiting time is valuable too.

 

[sillyrichie]

If you don't get a live person...invest the time to visit their office and talk to a human. Better than wasting time trying to call. Your waiting time is valuable too.

I'd totally do that if the closest office wasn't 5 hours away. Hooray for living in the middle of nowhere...they said they'd phone back, so I trust for now that they will (and have a plan if they don't ).

 

[sillyrichie]

Another thought - would it really be that bad if we send the application this week so they could process my sponsorship application, schedule the medical for ASAP, and then just forward that when we have it? Or is that even possible? I REALLY want to get the ball rolling...after dealing with the stress of US immigration, I'm not looking forward to this and may be over-eager/over-worried to just get it done...

 

[rhcohen2014]

Another thought - would it really be that bad if we send the application this week so they could process my sponsorship application, schedule the medical for ASAP, and then just forward that when we have it? Or is that even possible? I REALLY want to get the ball rolling...after dealing with the stress of US immigration, I'm not looking forward to this and may be over-eager/over-worried to just get it done...

relax. from what i understand, canadian immigration is smooth sailing compared to US. I can't speak from experience though.

yes, it is quite possible to send in the app and get the medical done asap. once the sponsor is found eligible, CIC will request it to be sent to the visa office in ottawa. keep in mind, it is still risking delayed approval. The sooner it is sent in the better, so if it's sent and attached to your app before ottawa opens it, then generally there would be no issue.

 

[sillyrichie]

relax. from what i understand, canadian immigration is smooth sailing compared to US. I can't speak from experience though.

yes, it is quite possible to send in the app and get the medical done asap. once the sponsor is found eligible, CIC will request it to be sent to the visa office in ottawa. keep in mind, it is still risking delayed approval. The sooner it is sent in the better, so if it's sent and attached to your app before ottawa opens it, then generally there would be no issue.

**deep breaths** I've heard that it's much easier as well, and it seems way more efficient. US immigration isn't the kindest process that there is. So I'll try to take the "relax" advice!

Thanks for the reassurance on the medical. I'll wait to see what the office says when they call back.

 

[MissRepresentation]

If you are applying outland, it's fine to send the police certificates later - but you really need to get the medical done before you send the application. Time to time we see outland applications returned if they lack proof of the medical.

Is this true?? I was under the impression that one had to submit police certs upfront with an outland application, otherwise it could be returned as incomplete. Actually they're the only thing holding me back from sending my application.

 

[sillyrichie]

...I now have another silly question. We had scheduled an appointment to have my husband's FBI check done through an electronic provider. I've since learned they provide an official PDF document but do not provide "apostille" service. What we will receive is the official report but it will be PDF only. Is this a problem in our case?