Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

[MissDominica]

Looks like I'm next to hear something maybe? maybe? I've been analyzing the spreadsheet (this is what my life has come to)... lol
Inlimbo was ahead of me and she just heard her news

The spreadsheet should read that Loving Wife has an interview 12/12/12. And priestman was delayed because he needed to submit a medical to POS which was updated to meds received this month... so he may or may not be delayed behind me depending on when they actually get to working on his app again with his new meds.

Come on POS!! Open my packageeeeeeeeeee. ;D

Gonna go work on my extra proofs so I'm ready the DAY I get word.. if I get word.. lol

Come onnnn..

 

[Halfmoon]

Looks like I'm next to hear something maybe? maybe? I've been analyzing the spreadsheet (this is what my life has come to)... lol
Inlimbo was ahead of me and she just heard her news

The spreadsheet should read that Loving Wife has an interview 12/12/12. And priestman was delayed because he needed to submit a medical to POS which was updated to meds received this month... so he may or may not be delayed behind me depending on when they actually get to working on his app again with his new meds.

Come on POS!! Open my packageeeeeeeeeee. ;D

Gonna go work on my extra proofs so I'm ready the DAY I get word.. if I get word.. lol

Come onnnn..

Oh I'm sure it's being worked on. No doubt about that. ;D And yes! Have all additional proofs ready - preparation is key!! If you've provided sufficient proof, they won't need it but if they do.....BAM!!!! or should I say BOOYAAA!!

Is it common for POS to call everyone for interviews?

 

[MissDominica]

Oh I'm sure it's being worked on. No doubt about that. ;D And yes! Have all additional proofs ready - preparation is key!! If you've provided sufficient proof, they won't need it but if they do.....BAM!!!! or should I say BOOYAAA!!

Is it common for POS to call everyone for interviews?

Hey hun.

The only reason I was considering sending extra proofs before being asked was because we applied common-law and they're a little more picky about that. Since applying I have visited once, booked a second trip to visit this Dec (proofs of this like hotel booking, flights, etc), have added my CL partner to my life insurance as beneficiary, have run up about 2000 in phone bills (FML), etc). We had decent proofs (lease, letters, etc) but I felt we were lacking because we did not have insurance beneficiary stuff and now we do.. Do you think I should just mention in the enquiry that I now HAVE these things so they are aware but not actually send them?

I hope you're right that it's being worked on

As for the interview thing, based on our spreadsheet, I would say just under 50% get interviews. In 2012, only 6 of us from this site applied and so far only 4 of those 6 are being processed by POS actively. Of those 4, 3 have been assigned interviews and 1 was waived. SO, it seems they are busy with interviews this year lol so I want to be ready. Obviously I'm hoping we sail through without one and I can have my life back to normal again... but you never know. **Fingers crossed!!**

What about Jamaica on your end... do they ask for interviews a lot?

 

[Halfmoon]

Hey hun.

The only reason I was considering sending extra proofs before being asked was because we applied common-law and they're a little more picky about that. Since applying I have visited once, booked a second trip to visit this Dec (proofs of this like hotel booking, flights, etc), have added my CL partner to my life insurance as beneficiary, have run up about 2000 in phone bills (FML), etc). We had decent proofs (lease, letters, etc) but I felt we were lacking because we did not have insurance beneficiary stuff and now we do.. Do you think I should just mention in the enquiry that I now HAVE these things so they are aware but not actually send them?

I hope you're right that it's being worked on

As for the interview thing, based on our spreadsheet, I would say just under 50% get interviews. In 2012, only 6 of us from this site applied and so far only 4 of those 6 are being processed by POS actively. Of those 4, 3 have been assigned interviews and 1 was waived. SO, it seems they are busy with interviews this year lol so I want to be ready. Obviously I'm hoping we sail through without one and I can have my life back to normal again... but you never know. **Fingers crossed!!**

What about Jamaica on your end... do they ask for interviews a lot?

Hi mama. XX fingers crossed XX

Well I see your point now. I think it would be worthwhile to send an email regardless if you decide to submit the proofs beforehand or not. It won't hurt your case as you're looking for status on an AOR and letting them know of the additional proofs you have available.

Let me take a look at the POS stats when I get home. I want to get an understanding on the number of applicants per year. From what I've observed, Kingston typically calls for an interview only if an applicant doesn't meet the requirements of the preliminary review which essentially consists of proving the "bona fides" of the relationship. In this scenario, the visa office convokes an interview and requests for additional docs. HOWEVER with that said, it appears that some offices may operate within their "own" framework due to a number of factors.

Just curious, have you ever taken a look at the POS audit report? It normally provides details of the "environmental factors" that could impact POS's scope of work for processing applications.

 

[MissDominica]

Hi mama. XX fingers crossed XX

Well I see your point now. I think it would be worthwhile to send an email regardless if you decide to submit the proofs beforehand or not. It won't hurt your case as you're looking for status on an AOR and letting them know of the additional proofs you have available.

Let me take a look at the POS stats when I get home. I want to get an understanding on the number of applicants per year. From what I've observed, Kingston typically calls for an interview only if an applicant doesn't meet the requirements of the preliminary review which essentially consists of proving the "bona fides" of the relationship. In this scenario, the visa office convokes an interview and requests for additional docs. HOWEVER with that said, it appears that some offices may operate within their "own" framework due to a number of factors.

Just curious, have you ever taken a look at the POS audit report? It normally provides details of the "environmental factors" that could impact POS's scope of work for processing applications.

No I havent.. but I'd like to! Someone posted something about it awhile back and I clicked on it, but it took a lot of searching around and I could never find the exact info that was being talked about.. so I gave up. It would be interesting to see.. and it might keep me busy for the evening instead of having me checking e-cas 3 times a day LOL.

 

[inlimbo2012]

I was wondering the same thing Half Moon! I wonder if most people are being asked for an interview now.

I know we provided everything they asked for and as much info as possible. We have been dating for 5 years, married for 1. My husband has an exwife as well as a child with his ex who is coming to Canada with us. Maybe that is why they have called us in for an interview. I wont be bringing too many documents to the interview because they have everything already. I will see what I can muster up though! I really hope they just stamp the passports when we are at the interview because my husbands son is in Jamaica so we have to fedex his passport and original documents to Barbados. To add to it our visa is up in Barbados so when we go to Trinidad for the interview we will be flying back to Jamaica (husbands home country.) Hopefully we will already have the visas when we get to Jam otherwise we will be having to set up shop in Jam for a bit until we hear word from POS. I am tired just typing that! lol

Miss dominica: You are riiight behind me! I received my 2nd AOR October 15th and then November 21st interview request. So hopefully you will receive your AOR soon!

 

[MissDominica]

Miss dominica: You are riiight behind me! I received my 2nd AOR October 15th and then November 21st interview request. So hopefully you will receive your AOR soon!

Let's hopeeeee...

 

[Halfmoon]

Looks like I'm next to hear something maybe? maybe? I've been analyzing the spreadsheet (this is what my life has come to)... lol
Inlimbo was ahead of me and she just heard her news

The spreadsheet should read that Loving Wife has an interview 12/12/12. And priestman was delayed because he needed to submit a medical to POS which was updated to meds received this month... so he may or may not be delayed behind me depending on when they actually get to working on his app again with his new meds.

Come on POS!! Open my packageeeeeeeeeee. ;D

Gonna go work on my extra proofs so I'm ready the DAY I get word.. if I get word.. lol

Come onnnn..

Hey MissD - where is the spreadsheet? Haven't noticed one but then again I've only been over on this forum for about 2 days.

 

[Halfmoon]

I was wondering the same thing Half Moon! I wonder if most people are being asked for an interview now.

I know we provided everything they asked for and as much info as possible. We have been dating for 5 years, married for 1. My husband has an exwife as well as a child with his ex who is coming to Canada with us. Maybe that is why they have called us in for an interview. I wont be bringing too many documents to the interview because they have everything already. I will see what I can muster up though! I really hope they just stamp the passports when we are at the interview because my husbands son is in Jamaica so we have to fedex his passport and original documents to Barbados. To add to it our visa is up in Barbados so when we go to Trinidad for the interview we will be flying back to Jamaica (husbands home country.) Hopefully we will already have the visas when we get to Jam otherwise we will be having to set up shop in Jam for a bit until we hear word from POS. I am tired just typing that! lol

Miss dominica: You are riiight behind me! I received my 2nd AOR October 15th and then November 21st interview request. So hopefully you will receive your AOR soon!

I'd like to know that answer myself. I'm not familiar with POS's processes however based on what you've noted here, I think the fact that your hubbie's son lives in JA is what they're trying to piece together. They want to ensure that the divorce is official and the original documents you provide will allow them to see that. They also want to make sure that the child (his son) is legally his son, hence the reason for an original birth certificate showing both parents names. IN other words, they're doing their due diligence to satisfy ANY concerns or uncertainties they may be having. Though you don't have much, just bring all you can as they want to see the continuing of your relationship after the application was submitted. My advice is, cross every T dot every I. This is immigration and things that seem obvious to us, may not be so clear to them. Keep in mind they deal with genuine and fraud cases and they are in somewhat of a biased position to scrutinize every application. As the applicants, our job is to give them sound reasons to believe that our relationships are genuine and not for convenience purposes or as I frankly put it as "Love or Opportunity" in a thread I started........


If I can dig up some the POS audit report, it may shed some light for us.

BTW - I love Barbados. Stayed in St. Michael's when I was there a couple of years ago. Most beautiful beaches!! Why even move to up North? ??? ???

 

[MissDominica]

Hey MissD - where is the spreadsheet? Haven't noticed one but then again I've only been over on this forum for about 2 days.

Click my signature link at the bottom of my posts

 

[inlimbo2012]

Trust me I am not the most enthused about leaving the sun and beaches for snow and cold but I am sick of work permits and dealing with immigration! lol Atleast I will get a good laugh and hubby and his son discovering snow!

If you find anything out...I am sure you will let us know!

 

[Halfmoon]

Good Morning Ladies!!!

I was able to locate the audit report for the POS Missions Office. It's rather more of an organizational audit vs a program audit which in this case doesn't shed much on the immigration program. That said, this will give you an idea of what this office is responsible for and the number of people staffed for immigration purposes.

http://www.international.gc.ca/about-a_propos/oig-big/2008/portofspain-portdespagne08.aspx?lang=eng&view=d#objectives

But here are some goodies for you ladies - the Operational Manuals - Overseas Processing. I would recommend reading this as it contains some juicy info. These manuals are "their bibles".

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/index.asp

 

[MissDominica]

Good Morning Ladies!!!

I was able to locate the audit report for the POS Missions Office. It's rather more of an organizational audit vs a program audit which in this case doesn't shed much on the immigration program. That said, this will give you an idea of what this office is responsible for and the number of people staffed for immigration purposes.

http://www.international.gc.ca/about-a_propos/oig-big/2008/portofspain-portdespagne08.aspx?lang=eng&view=d#objectives

But here are some goodies for you ladies - the Operational Manuals - Overseas Processing. I would recommend reading this as it contains some juicy info. These manuals are "their bibles".

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/index.asp

Thanks! I've seen the 2nd link before but not the first... only 6 Canadian officers there.. oh my. I'm reading the 2nd link even though I did skim through it when I applied. They keep referring to IP # (eg. See IP 2 for ...) and I have no idea what that is... I would love to know! It says they try to process 80% of applications in 6 months, I wish

 

[Halfmoon]

Thanks! I've seen the 2nd link before but not the first... only 6 Canadian officers there.. oh my. I'm reading the 2nd link even though I did skim through it when I applied. They keep referring to IP # (eg. See IP 2 for ...) and I have no idea what that is... I would love to know! It says they try to process 80% of applications in 6 months, I wish

hmmmm not sure....I'll take a look later. CIC and their codes....seeeshhhhh! :

 

[MissDominica]

hmmmm not sure....I'll take a look later. CIC and their codes....seeeshhhhh! :

Im tellin ya. I gave up tryin to figure it out.

On another note, this process is turning me into an emotional mess! Today was not out of the ordinary... just another day of waiting for AOR with no word. Then I was reading through posts on this site and read one girl's blog about her partner's interview. She went with him for the interview and described how they prepared and how she had to sit outside and wait while he was in there and how terrified she was and about the tearful process... and I just LOST it. I've been crying for .. like... an hour.. over this. And he got the visa! It's not even a sad story.. In reading it, though, I felt all of the emotions she would have been feeling while she was waiting outside an interview door and letting someone else decide her fate with her partner.. and I just imagine myself being there in the not-so-distant future and how hard it must be to get through.. Gah. I need a drink or something! Wooo-sah. Breathe.