Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

[CdnandTrini]

Reply: Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

Officer: Final question.... if I deny your application what will you do?
Millslu: Well....um...
Officer: Will your spouse move back to St Lucia to live with you?

Hello @ Dadzin, I have heard that this is one of the questions they may possibly ask but I am confused if you are just posing the question or do you have any good answers for it based on your research and/or personal experience? Can you please clarify for us newer members? I have read/heard that one of the best answers is to state that the couple will immediately appeal the decision and be knowledgeable about the next steps in the appeal process. Would love to hear what other members think.

 

[Behopeful]

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

Yes paper clips are fine, do not staple though. Make sure bar code pages are on top of the sections where applicable and the checklist on the very top of the entire package. The more clear and organized you make it for CIC, the the easier it is. You can also do a table of contents or use a binder and separate sections with tabs or those clear envelopes and write on them (these are suggestions only, not mandatory). Do try to arrange the forms in the way they are listed on the checklist though and cross reference all supplementary info./docs to the relevant section. Photos inside envelopes, not loose. Hope this helps .

Oh shoot I think I may have used staples. Oops! But maybe not. Guess my VO will not be happy with me. But maybe I did use paper clips. Seems like so long ago! What's their reasoning for not wanting staples? Likely they scan the papers is my thought so it would be more difficult to feed?? I hope I used paper clips!

I've heard about this question as well Dadzin. Don't have a complete answer but I think it would be best to say to appeal it. Knowing your rights is important and again they may want to see if you will say the truth. For my husband, I would recommend him saying we will appeal the decision and no my wife would not being relocating because she has a stable job to provide for the family, we have created a life in Canada (list our assests that keep us tied to Canada) and we ultimately want to live in Canada not another country.

 

[Dadzin]

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

Hello @ Dadzin, I have heard that this is one of the questions they may possibly ask but I am confused if you are just posing the question or do you have any good answers for it based on your research and/or personal experience? Can you please clarify for us newer members? I have read/heard that one of the best answers is to state that the couple will immediately appeal the decision and be knowledgeable about the next steps in the appeal process. Would love to hear what other members think.

It's a question they used to help determine if you really love your spouse. The follow up question would be - if your application if declined would you leave canada and live with your spouse in their home country? Some ppl have answered no, one lady in particular said she wasn't going back to Haiti to hardship...not even for love. Her application was denied- with her 2 children.

The correct answer would be that she'd appeal all the way to the supreme court and that if all is refused, she'll leave canada and go live with her spouse in Haiti.

 

[CdnandTrini]

Reply: Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

It's a question they used to help determine if you really love your spouse. The follow up question would be - if your application if declined would you leave canada and live with your spouse in their home country? Some ppl have answered no, one lady in particular said she wasn't going back to Haiti to hardship...not even for love. Her application was denied- with her 2 children.

The correct answer would be that she'd appeal all the way to the supreme court and that if all is refused, she'll leave canada and go live with her spouse in Haiti.

Ahhh yes.....I believe I read that on a previous post. Good thing I am not going to be the one being interviewed as I would probably dissolve into a hysterical, messy, weeping, angry mass of tears :'(, fall to the floor and not leave the VO until they gave me the visa ;D!!!

 

[Behopeful]

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

Ahhh yes.....I believe I read that on a previous post. Good thing I am not going to be the one being interviewed as I would probably dissolve into a hysterical, messy, weeping, angry mass of tears :'(, fall to the floor and not leave the VO until they gave me the visa ;D!!!

What a crazy question! It seems like they are just looking for "right" and "wrong" answers. I wish I was the one to be interviewed instead of my husband. I know he would be so nervous and I've gone through so many interviews that it wouldn't bother me. I would accompany my husband for sure if he has an interview! I know we will likely be called for an interview.

Dadzin... How's everything? No word on anything? When is the new baby arriving? How was the birthday party for your daughter? Did she eat lots of cake!!

 

[MissDominica]

Hey all,

I hope everyone is doing well!

I'm here to vent. My 8 months is up and I'm now into 9 months. I thought FOR SURE we would hear before the end of 8 months (a common theme)... But no luck. I'm so bummed. Not only that, but my man's medicals/police certs expire the end of this month. I emailed CIC to let them know that it's our 9th month of waiting and all of our documents are due to expire. And I asked if we should re-do or see if there's an extension. I was hoping it'd spark something and they'd send him off a PPR and I could get him here before they expire and get to FINALLY being together and back to normal. But no. No response, as per usual. So now we just wait.


Sigh. I just wanna start my life u know? My ovaries are ticking POS. I wonder if they'll pay for my IVF if they hold out til I'm infertile. Grrrr.

 

[Behopeful]

Hey all,

I hope everyone is doing well!

I'm here to vent. My 8 months is up and I'm now into 9 months. I thought FOR SURE we would hear before the end of 8 months (a common theme)... But no luck. I'm so bummed. Not only that, but my man's medicals/police certs expire the end of this month. I emailed CIC to let them know that it's our 9th month of waiting and all of our documents are due to expire. And I asked if we should re-do or see if there's an extension. I was hoping it'd spark something and they'd send him off a PPR and I could get him here before they expire and get to FINALLY being together and back to normal. But no. No response, as per usual. So now we just wait.


Sigh. I just wanna start my life u know? My ovaries are ticking POS. I wonder if they'll pay for my IVF if they hold out til I'm infertile. Grrrr.

Vent away MissD. I can imagine your frustration. I'm nearly at 5 months and am getting absolutely desperate to hear anything and I won't hear anything anytime soon.
When did you email them? Did you ever get your notes? Any idea if an interview will be needed? I was reading back in the forum and some people were getting PPR's at 6 months... That would be a dream. It seems much harder and longer to get the process done now.
I'm sorry I don't have more positive words of encouragement MissD.

 

[CdnandTrini]

Reply: Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

Hey all,

I hope everyone is doing well!

I'm here to vent. My 8 months is up and I'm now into 9 months. I thought FOR SURE we would hear before the end of 8 months (a common theme)... But no luck. I'm so bummed. Not only that, but my man's medicals/police certs expire the end of this month. I emailed CIC to let them know that it's our 9th month of waiting and all of our documents are due to expire. And I asked if we should re-do or see if there's an extension. I was hoping it'd spark something and they'd send him off a PPR and I could get him here before they expire and get to FINALLY being together and back to normal. But no. No response, as per usual. So now we just wait.


Sigh. I just wanna start my life u know? My ovaries are ticking POS. I wonder if they'll pay for my IVF if they hold out til I'm infertile. Grrrr.

lol.....and sympathies Miss D. When can you next visit hubby? Venting is important to our health, do not keep it inside. If you do not hear back from POS soon, maybe it's time to ask your MP for help?

 

[millslu]

Hi everyone am on the airport and am reading all yur post and that is an amazing question my wife n I have gone through all the question but that one we never knew how to answer and here u cone with an amazing answer. Thank u guys so much my wife right now is at a brink of a melt down n I hope I can rescue her with some good news but thanks again everyone. I

Missd we kmow how u feel and there is no words we can give u now to make u feel any better but we can only offer you support and love. I and good Wil come out of these days don't forget things could be worst.

Love u guys and thanks again.

 

[Dadzin]

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

Ahhh yes.....I believe I read that on a previous post. Good thing I am not going to be the one being interviewed as I would probably dissolve into a hysterical, messy, weeping, angry mass of tears :'(, fall to the floor and not leave the VO until they gave me the visa ;D!!!

HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

 

[Dadzin]

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

What a crazy question! It seems like they are just looking for "right" and "wrong" answers. I wish I was the one to be interviewed instead of my husband. I know he would be so nervous and I've gone through so many interviews that it wouldn't bother me. I would accompany my husband for sure if he has an interview! I know we will likely be called for an interview.

Dadzin... How's everything? No word on anything? When is the new baby arriving? How was the birthday party for your daughter? Did she eat lots of cake!!

Everything Irie!....still no word...sent another caips request april 16, no word. New baby due in July and big daughter enjoying she self! she's happy to hug up and kiss up she daddy everyday. Gosh, I think about her all day at work then as soon as I reach home she's so happy, we just go and play by the part. My wife is going nuts over neglect. Her birthday was great. Gosh I'm so happy with my family with me.

 

[Dadzin]

Hey all,

I hope everyone is doing well!

I'm here to vent. My 8 months is up and I'm now into 9 months. I thought FOR SURE we would hear before the end of 8 months (a common theme)... But no luck. I'm so bummed. Not only that, but my man's medicals/police certs expire the end of this month. I emailed CIC to let them know that it's our 9th month of waiting and all of our documents are due to expire. And I asked if we should re-do or see if there's an extension. I was hoping it'd spark something and they'd send him off a PPR and I could get him here before they expire and get to FINALLY being together and back to normal. But no. No response, as per usual. So now we just wait.


Sigh. I just wanna start my life u know? My ovaries are ticking POS. I wonder if they'll pay for my IVF if they hold out til I'm infertile. Grrrr.

Sorry to hear....ah cyah say nothing else this time....

 

[Dadzin]

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

lol.....and sympathies Miss D. When can you next visit hubby? Venting is important to our health, do not keep it inside. If you do not hear back from POS soon, maybe it's time to ask your MP for help?

You can't ask your MP for help within the 18 months processing time. Ministerial help is for special circumtances, if it's beyond the timeframe etc. I wish! August will be 18 months for us, then we'll seek ministerial relief.

 

[Sabriyah]

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

Yes paper clips are fine, do not staple though. Make sure bar code pages are on top of the sections where applicable and the checklist on the very top of the entire package. The more clear and organized you make it for CIC, the the easier it is. You can also do a table of contents or use a binder and separate sections with tabs or those clear envelopes and write on them (these are suggestions only, not mandatory). Do try to arrange the forms in the way they are listed on the checklist though and cross reference all supplementary info./docs to the relevant section. Photos inside envelopes, not loose. Hope this helps .

I just wanted to clarify something you said:
"cross reference all supplementary info./docs to the relevant section." - what would u mean by "cross reference"? like u mean make reference? or like put tht extra explanatory letter right after that specific form?

 

[CdnandTrini]

Reply: Port of Spain Office, Trinidad and Tobago

You can't ask your MP for help within the 18 months processing time. Ministerial help is for special circumtances, if it's beyond the timeframe etc. I wish! August will be 18 months for us, then we'll seek ministerial relief.

Hi Dadzin, I respectfully disagree, that is not 100% correct and many members on this forum get their MP's involved much sooner. You can actually ask your MP to help at any reasonable time in the process if: your CSE's are not being replied to; if you suspect something has gone wrong after you sent your application; if you have not received an AOR within 90 days; and a few other things they are willing to assist with (i.e. lost files, documents etc.). It is not the Minister directly, it is the Member's office in each riding and most of them have a constituent assistant that deals strictly with immigration inquiries. Having said that, some MP's offices are more helpful than others and if they notice patterns or trends of problems with certain VO's abroad they want to help. It's their job.

I am not suggesting you contact your MP for every little thing; each person has to decide for themselves what they deem as necessary for an inquiry. Our taxes pay the salaries of government employees and we are entitled to hold public servants accountable to service standards. Believe me, it is our responsibility if we do not make one inquiry in 18 months and the gov't "misplaced" our files - they would not likely apologize, and we would probably be asked, why didn't you follow up? They would not necessarliy fast track the file either to rectify their mistake. Many examples of them not owning their mistakes are posted on this forum as well.

Even though the CIC website says 18 months for both the POS & Kingston office, their operational manuals say 12 months (in the service standards for spousal/children PRs) and if you can believe it someone from the Kingston office got a letter the other day that said "6 months" is the service standard. Even when CIC audits their own VOs abroad they itemize these same problems in their own reports all available to the public on their website.

I think, just like with any other process being run by a large bureacracy we have to be the ones to follow up, to gently nudge, to keep the line moving. It is scary to read how many people on this forum have captured errors in their files only because they did the follow up to CIC not vice versa.