Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

[Behopeful]

Hi Can-Vin, re: the name change - here is what I did. At first I was not willing to do it as I have always kept my birth surname (even in a prior marriage). I am also middle aged (so is my husband) - in other words not a young bride/groom so I thought what a pain in the butt to have to change all my ID etc. etc. especially after submitting our application.

So then my hubby tells me that it is important to him and would I at least consider adding his name...........talked to my pastor who is a wonderful guy (also from the Caribbean - JA) and he said "that culturally it is important to West Indidan men that their wives take their name". So I prayed about it and talked to hubby and what I did was change my health card and drivers license - all free at sevice ON if done within 90 days of marriage. Not changing my passport though or my e-mail address as I do consulting work and have been a career woman for too long at that e-mail.

That was our compromise, it was all done in less than 10 days so this is what we will use as supplemental info. if required. I simply added his last name to mine (no hyphen). I also saved the envelopes with my "married name" and copied my 2 new pieces of id and will scan and send to hubby if needed. Last thing, I also changed it on my SKYPE so that if we have to submit any more SKYPE chat logs immigration will see the change there as well. Each person needs to think about their own circumstance - what I am not doing is sending this along as a change to the original application (hence no change to passport) as I am afraid it will cause delays. I only realized how important it was to my husband when I showed him the updated ID on SKYPE and his smile was 1000 watt!!!

I see that your app was already submitted/received by CIC so you can still do the name change (or not) at this time without needing to upset the POS apple cart. If they ask for supplemental you will have some. They do not always ask. Let me know if you have any other questions on this.

Great points about the name change. It's more like you are "assuming" the last name of your husband versus legally changing it. My sister in law does this and keeps her maiden name in her passport and professional documents.

 

[Behopeful]

Hi FAD...
No need to apologize for anything. It is a difficult time for you and everyone. We all have moments where we feel like we can just can't take another day of this but the luxury of this site is, we have all felt that way and this is a safe place to vent and bitch! You are not alone! How is baby doing?
You said in your post you don't think it is an issue with CIC if you don't laminate it. What do you mean laminate it?

 

[fromadistance]

Hi FAD...
No need to apologize for anything. It is a difficult time for you and everyone. We all have moments where we feel like we can just can't take another day of this but the luxury of this site is, we have all felt that way and this is a safe place to vent and *censored word*! You are not alone! How is baby doing?
You said in your post you don't think it is an issue with CIC if you don't laminate it. What do you mean laminate it?

Lol sorry effects of no sleep!! I am so laughing at myself.

I meant to say it wont be an issue with CIC if you dont change your last name!

Baby is fine getting too big too fast. Planning a trip soon to go see daddy before he gets sick with depression. How are u doing? I think u can send Trini a CSE. We did and got prompt response.

So anyway remember I said that they sent someone's AOR to my hubby with all the person's personal info on there and everything. Isnt that a breach of privacy or something? I emailed them and they did not reply! Anyway my husband has this obsessive idea that there is a letter for him from POS floating somewhere in St Vincent lol

 

[Behopeful]

Lol sorry effects of no sleep!! I am so laughing at myself.

I meant to say it wont be an issue with CIC if you dont change your last name!

Baby is fine getting too big too fast. Planning a trip soon to go see daddy before he gets sick with depression. How are u doing? I think u can send Trini a CSE. We did and got prompt response.

So anyway remember I said that they sent someone's AOR to my hubby with all the person's personal info on there and everything. Isnt that a breach of privacy or something? I emailed them and they did not reply! Anyway my husband has this obsessive idea that there is a letter for him from POS floating somewhere in St Vincent lol

Hey!
I figured you meant something else but just wanted to clarify! I remember those days of being so tired yhat i couldnt think straight and actually I still have days like that depending how well my daughter sleeps. how is your daughter sleeping these days? I can't believe how time flies. It feels like just yesterday she was born and now she wants to be somewhat independent! I don't think it will be a huge deal either if a person doesn't change their name but may provide some support. Are you still considering changing your name?
And yes that is a BIG breach. Nobody likely wants to deal with it though so they just stay quiet if you stay quiet. I'm planning to send an email this weekend. It has been on the to do list for a while but keeps falling to the bottom. Do I send it to the email that I got in my letter from stage 1 approval? Just want to be sure!
Take care FAD. Glad to hear from you!

 

[CdnandTrini]

Hey!
I figured you meant something else but just wanted to clarify! I remember those days of being so tired yhat i couldnt think straight and actually I still have days like that depending how well my daughter sleeps. how is your daughter sleeping these days? I can't believe how time flies. It feels like just yesterday she was born and now she wants to be somewhat independent! I don't think it will be a huge deal either if a person doesn't change their name but may provide some support. Are you still considering changing your name?
And yes that is a BIG breach. Nobody likely wants to deal with it though so they just stay quiet if you stay quiet. I'm planning to send an email this weekend. It has been on the to do list for a while but keeps falling to the bottom. Do I send it to the email that I got in my letter from stage 1 approval? Just want to be sure!
Take care FAD. Glad to hear from you!

Hi @ Behopeful and yes you should e-mail your case specific enquiry (CSE) to the POS e-mail (see below) they provided you in your sponsorship approval letter. Double check the e-mail before you send it and send a copy to yourself. It will also be in your sent file. If you can, attach a read receipt to the e-mail as well. I do not recommend sending a fax as you have even fewer ways to confirm they received a fax.

"Should you need to submit additional information or make any further enquiries regarding the Application for Permanent Residence for your relative(s), you may contact the visa office by e-mail, fax, or in writing as follows:
Port of Spain
High Commission of Canada
Visa Section
P.O. Box 565
Port of Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
E-mail: https://dmp-portal.cic.gc.ca/cicemail/intro-eng.aspx?mission=port of spain
Fax number: (868) 628-2619"

 

[Behopeful]

Thanks for your help!
I have sent the CSE. Again I plan in waiting and not likely will we hear much. At least I know I sent it and we will see what happens! Thanks again!

 

[CdnandTrini]

Reply: Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

Thanks for your help!
I have sent the CSE. Again I plan in waiting and not likely will we hear much. At least I know I sent it and we will see what happens! Thanks again!

You are most welcome and good for you to follow up! If any one of us hear news at least we all know the POS office is alive and kicking .

 

[Behopeful]

Re: Reply: Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

You are most welcome and good for you to follow up! If any one of us hear news at least we all know the POS office is alive and kicking .

So... Just received this email from POS.

"Good day,

Your application is currently awaiting further processing; should additional documents or information be required, you will be contacted at the address provided in your application.

Regards,"

What do you guys think that means??? I wanted to know if our application was received because we did not get an AOR. Is this standard????

 

[fromadistance]

I am not sure what the further processing means. Probably that it is waiting to be reviewed by an officer?

 

[Behopeful]

I am not sure what the further processing means. Probably that it is waiting to be reviewed by an officer?

Hey FAD!
When you emailed did you receive the date your application was received? Your emailed was different?

 

[fromadistance]

Hey

No they only said that my application as received and that further details will be provided in due course.

 

[CdnandTrini]

Reply: Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

So... Just received this email from POS.

"Good day,

Your application is currently awaiting further processing; should additional documents or information be required, you will be contacted at the address provided in your application.

Regards,"

What do you guys think that means??? I wanted to know if our application was received because we did not get an AOR. Is this standard????

Hi Behopeful - thanks for sharing your update. It sounds like a generic response to me; however, I do not have enough experience to even hazard a guess. I am surprised that they responded at all, so quickly too. That has got to mean something positive. From what I have read on this forum many people that send CSE's to POS and the Kingston JA office never get replies.

 

[millslu]

hey everyone hope yurll are doing well and being patient. my interview is in 9 days away and i am preparing myself very well indeed, nothing on the GSM notes so am goin there blindfolded but its my wife and i know her like the back of my hand.

quick question my wife is worried about if she should accompany me to my interview, my wife since she just spent a week with me, is not able to get any more vacation becasue of the pressure of her work and we also have our baby(puppy) who we would not like to be giving to strangers to watch for another week. is it imperitive that she comes or not. i read in one of the forum that the VO have to requst that she comes, if they dont then they wont need her. please give me yurll views on that plzz.

@missd hang in there.

 

[CdnandTrini]

Reply: Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

hey everyone hope yurll are doing well and being patient. my interview is in 9 days away and i am preparing myself very well indeed, nothing on the GSM notes so am goin there blindfolded but its my wife and i know her like the back of my hand.

quick question my wife is worried about if she should accompany me to my interview, my wife since she just spent a week with me, is not able to get any more vacation becasue of the pressure of her work and we also have our baby(puppy) who we would not like to be giving to strangers to watch for another week. is it imperitive that she comes or not. i read in one of the forum that the VO have to requst that she comes, if they dont then they wont need her. please give me yurll views on that plzz.

@ missd hang in there.

Hey Millslu, everything that I have read on this topic indicates that the sponsor is not required to attend the interview unless the VO explicitly requests it. Mainly because they know that the sponsor is (typically) living in another country and it is not always feasible. It would only be fair from a logistical and financial perspective for the VO to advise any applicant of this so people could plan their arrangements.

I have read of a few "one off" situations where if the spouse/partner happens to be there anyway, they may ask a few questions; however, I have also read of spouses/partners going along for moral support but not being "allowed" in to join the interview anyway. So I am pretty sure your wife does not have to worry about leaving the puppy or her job again. We'll see what the other folks have to say. Understandable that she has concerns though.

 

[millslu]

Hey Millslu, everything that I have read on this topic indicates that the sponsor is not required to attend the interview unless the VO explicitly se, thanksrequests it. Mainly because they know that the sponsor is (typically) living in another country and it is not always feasible. It would only be fair from a logistical and financial perspective for the VO to advise any applicant of this so people could plan their arrangements.

I have read of a few "one off" situations where if the spouse/partner happens to be there anyway, they may ask a few questions; however, I have also read of spouses/partners going along for moral support but not being "allowed" in to join the interview anyway. So I am pretty sure your wife does not have to worry about leaving the puppy or her job again. We'll see what the other folks have to say. Understandable that she has concerns though.

great response thanks so much.