POSITIVE IMMIGRATION STORY

[CanadianJeepGuy]

I understand why there are negative comments, and I'm not saying that the CIC shouldn't try to improve their methods... but I think that a bulk of the problem comes from the stress that people come over. The CIC could make everything as easy as brushing your teeth, but human error would still cause a hell of a lot of complaints.

The process is easy. We all fill out the same forms and submit the same required supporting documents. The stress comes from the excessive waiting, the redoing of medicals and additional expenses imposed because CIC can't meet their own mandate. How much did it cost you to immigrate? For my wife it cost $25000. A far cry from the $1300 in application fees and medical tests. It took you 7 months but you were here with your spouse. It took my wife 13 months and we were separated the whole time.

Its great that you had a positive immigration experience. That should be the norm but it isn't.

 

[Hnhkrk]

The process is easy. We all fill out the same forms and submit the same required supporting documents. The stress comes from the excessive waiting, the redoing of medicals and additional expenses imposed because CIC can't meet their own mandate. How much did it cost you to immigrate? For my wife it cost $25000. A far cry from the $1300 in application fees and medical tests. It took you 7 months but you were here with your spouse. It took my wife 13 months and we were separated the whole time.

Its great that you had a positive immigration experience. That should be the norm but it isn't.

First off, the amount that it cost me to immigrate is NONE of your business and I will NOT be releasing that information.

A LOT of people have the same story as me. I'm currently in a language immersion course consisting of 21 people that all have fairly smooth and successful immigration stories much like mine. And before you ask, I'm the only US citizen in my class; most of the people are from places like China, Cuba, and Syria. The reason you don't hear about positive immigration stories is because people who have nothing to complain typically don't have questions to ask... so they don't need forums like this.

This thread is here so that people who are stressed out and scared can have a place to breathe. Immigrating is overwhelming, and it would have helped me tremendously if there would have been more positive feedback on the forums.

People on here tend to blame the CIC for everything, and they never factor in their own incompetence or lack of comprehension. Many, many people dive in head-first without first researching the process and what it entails. I am not saying that there are not horror stories, because there certainly are... but things aren't as negative as this forum tends to make them look. The more immigrants I meet the more I see the the process is very straight-forward and clear cut. Do this, and you will get this. Do that, and you will get that. Sure, there are bumps along the way but much like every other application process in every other part of the world, you need to be patient. If you stress and panic the likelihood that you're going to forget an important e-mail or neglect to include that certain document is very high, and that is why most delays occur.

There are things that I left out of my story. I had a problem with my UCI number so I wasn't able to use ECAS for months, and when I was finally able to use it, the system never updated in a timely manner. I also had a problem when I lost my passport. I didn't receive it back until the day before I had to apply for my visa extension, and that was horrendously scarey. My road wasn't lined with glitter and roses, I had my own fair share of problems... but looking back on this now, I consider my story a success and I felt the need to share it.

The ultimate goal of immigrating is very attainable, and I want people to know that.

 

[QuebecOkie]

There are definitely cases on both ends of the spectrum. Some people in this forum have shared NIGHTMARES (encountered through no fault of their own) that I can't even imagine facing.

Our story was an easy-breezy success, in hindsight. Inland applicant, landed in just under a year despite some rather egregious errors and oversights on our part (I'm counting it as under a year from when our *complete* app was received, not from when CIC first received just the sponsor's portion a few months earlier; thanks, Québec, for confusing the hell out of us!). No real problems at all. However...

While living through it, it felt very different. We were so lost when we started the app, and despite applying inland, because of my husband's job, we were separated right away for almost 5 months (he's bilingual, I'm NOT, and I really struggled in our very French area). I was so scared I'd screwed things up (and I had, but was able to fix them, thanks to what I learned here). And then there was the inconsistency and not knowing why two similar apps were treated so differently. Some people who applied just before us were receiving AIP back in March and April. Then came the Silent Summer of '13. It seemed almost as though CIC had packed it's bags and closed up shop, so little good news trickled in from other applicants. I'd expected to wait around 6 months to get AIP. Then came month 7. Then month 8. Then my dear, sweet, IMPATIENT father-in-law booked a family trip for March 2014, a trip I couldn't let myself think about, because with each passing week, I grew more and more sure I wouldn't be able to travel by then. Then came month 9. Then came month 10. It had started to feel like a dream, one of those dreams where you run but never gain any ground. Some days, it truly felt like I would be waiting forever.

Then we got really lucky. After a call from CIC requesting I fax another copy of my passport (which had been sent; that's one mistake I *didn't* make), I received AIP and DM in the same glorious, unforgettable day. Suddenly, I KNEW I could go to Europe with my belles-familles, I KNEW I could start thinking about visiting my family, and about teaching my only nephew that he has an Aunt Megan. I KNEW it was almost over.

Again, in hindsight, our process was easy, timely, affordable, and successful. But I did my share of whining and fretting on this forum as the quiet summer months dragged on. And we didn't face nearly the level of challenges that some on here face. I'm American, so I'm visa-exempt. We have no children, no complications, and I was able to be in Canada with my husband (well, when he's home, we spent fully half of our first year here apart). We're lucky that his job supports us relatively comfortably, so we didn't feel the massive financial stress that some here are under. And it only cost us the standard fees ($1306, since we're in Québec). But despite our "easy road," it was a hugely stressful process. I'm SOOOOO glad it's over.

 

[Rouge]

So how much does MICC pay you for the full-time French courses? I am learning through McGill at my own expense.

 

[QuebecOkie]

So how much does MICC pay you for the full-time French courses? I am learning through McGill at my own expense.

Don't know yet. I know the classes are free (my course from Nov 18 to Feb 14 would cost a citizen just over $1900; asked for a Canadian friend), but I didn't yet have my health card when I registered for the course, so I'll have to complete the registration for the allowance when I go in for my class on Monday. I don't think it will be very much. It is just to offset travel expenses. I told my husband, "I'm finally going to make this family some money!" He said, "You'll be lucky if you're breaking even in that gas guzzler." (I was in the habit of carpooling with him most days, and he drives a nearly-new diesel Jetta, while I drive a 2002 Ford Escape.)

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

First off, the amount that it cost me to immigrate is NONE of your business and I will NOT be releasing that information.

A LOT of people have the same story as me. I'm currently in a language immersion course consisting of 21 people that all have fairly smooth and successful immigration stories much like mine. And before you ask, I'm the only US citizen in my class; most of the people are from places like China, Cuba, and Syria. The reason you don't hear about positive immigration stories is because people who have nothing to complain typically don't have questions to ask... so they don't need forums like this.

This thread is here so that people who are stressed out and scared can have a place to breathe. Immigrating is overwhelming, and it would have helped me tremendously if there would have been more positive feedback on the forums.

People on here tend to blame the CIC for everything, and they never factor in their own incompetence or lack of comprehension. Many, many people dive in head-first without first researching the process and what it entails. I am not saying that there are not horror stories, because there certainly are... but things aren't as negative as this forum tends to make them look. The more immigrants I meet the more I see the the process is very straight-forward and clear cut. Do this, and you will get this. Do that, and you will get that. Sure, there are bumps along the way but much like every other application process in every other part of the world, you need to be patient. If you stress and panic the likelihood that you're going to forget an important e-mail or neglect to include that certain document is very high, and that is why most delays occur.

There are things that I left out of my story. I had a problem with my UCI number so I wasn't able to use ECAS for months, and when I was finally able to use it, the system never updated in a timely manner. I also had a problem when I lost my passport. I didn't receive it back until the day before I had to apply for my visa extension, and that was horrendously scarey. My road wasn't lined with glitter and roses, I had my own fair share of problems... but looking back on this now, I consider my story a success and I felt the need to share it.

The ultimate goal of immigrating is very attainable, and I want people to know that.

I never asked you what it cost you to immigrate. I told you what it cost me to get my wife here. I personally don't care what it cost you. The point I was making is that your position is greatly advantaged being from the States and doesn't necessarily reflect the reality that the bulk of immigrants experience.
Delays in processing are directly CIC's fault. They close visa offices abroad and do not increase staff to handle the bottleneck. The website is needlessly complicated with half information and links that take you nowhere. Compliment this with contradictory info given when you call the office for clarity. Stress is the result not the cause of mistakes. ECAS is a useless tool. Its meant more to distract people from calling them.

I sent my complete application in and was redirected to the Pilot Project (no option was given to me for this). My sponsorship apps were lost. No one contacted me. They just set it aside and moved on to the next one. I had to get my MP to follow up. 5.5 months to get SA and then the app went to Manila where it sat unopened for 6 months. These things are directly the fault of CIC and no one else. When I received my CAIPS notes the amount of time actually spent considering my application was a little more than 2 weeks. So CIC had my app for 13 months to make a decision in 2.5 weeks.

Your experience is unique to yourself and this thread would be more valuable to those in sharing the mistakes you made so they may avoid repeating them. "Supportive, feel good" Oprah rhetoric are empty calories really.

 

[Hnhkrk]

Your experience is unique to yourself and this thread would be more valuable to those in sharing the mistakes you made so they may avoid repeating them. "Supportive, feel good" Oprah rhetoric are empty calories really.

Well if that is how you feel, then don't waste you time in my thread because it's here for the "supportive, feel good Oprah rhetoric". What I'm saying is reality for many, many people... and, like I said, many people from many different contrives have similar experiences you just don't hear about them because they have nothing to complain about.

How much did it cost you to immigrate?

And you did ask me how much it cost for my to immigrate.

 

[Hnhkrk]

So how much does MICC pay you for the full-time French courses? I am learning through McGill at my own expense.

As a sponsored person I get around $58 dollars a week, but if you immigration independently you can get up to $150.

 

[Florida Bear]

Well if that is how you feel, then don't waste you time in my thread because it's here for the "supportive, feel good Oprah rhetoric". What I'm saying is reality for many, many people... and, like I said, many people from many different contrives have similar experiences you just don't hear about them because they have nothing to complain about.

Well said. It's like many restaurant reviews you read online. People have a tendency to give feedback when there is something wrong vs. when something is right.

I appreciate this thread being started. It's nice to hear what other folks have been thru. This for a change is a good one and it's nice to see something so positive. As I read past threads where people went thru the "Canadian Immigration Machine" and have received their COPR, from what I have seen they come back in, thank the board and that's about it. Many people, not all, move on with their life and don't always return to tell the story of start to finish and good or bad.

There certainly are horror stories on here, some of them the fault of the CIC, others from the applicants themselves. Can things be improved? Always.

Takes all kinds to move the world, and it's just a nice change to see a thread talking about a positive experience. Thank you for starting it and I hope some other folks take the time to share their positive stories as well. For people like me, who are waiting as patiently as possible, it's a nice change of pace and makes me smile when I've just checked ecas for the 40th-whatever day in a row and no changes to report. So thank you!

 

[Hnhkrk]

Well said. It's like many restaurant reviews you read online. People have a tendency to give feedback when there is something wrong vs. when something is right.

I appreciate this thread being started. It's nice to hear what other folks have been thru. This for a change is a good one and it's nice to see something so positive. As I read past threads where people went thru the "Canadian Immigration Machine" and have received their COPR, from what I have seen they come back in, thank the board and that's about it. Many people, not all, move on with their life and don't always return to tell the story of start to finish and good or bad.

There certainly are horror stories on here, some of them the fault of the CIC, others from the applicants themselves. Can things be improved? Always.

Takes all kinds to move the world, and it's just a nice change to see a thread talking about a positive experience. Thank you for starting it and I hope some other folks take the time to share their positive stories as well. For people like me, who are waiting as patiently as possible, it's a nice change of pace and makes me smile when I've just checked ecas for the 40th-whatever day in a row and no changes to report. So thank you!

Awh, shucks. Thanks. I'm glad that my story was useful for you and that it helped you in some way.

ECAS is pretty much a big tease - they never update it in real time. I almost think that it would be better if we didn't have it. I already had my PR card by the time they updated it to show that I was approved.... it was ridiculous. Good luck!

 

[QuebecOkie]

Yeah, I kind of feel like ECAS is just there as a tool to keep us busy and cut down a bit on calls to the call centre. Mine never was of any use. It was updated relatively quickly after I received AIP and DM, but I never learned anything there. Though I *may* still log onto it once in a while, just to see "file complete," haha.

 

[Frida19]

Glad you had a possitive experience I have been waiting since july and i havent hear anything else after i send my police certificate and adicional documents /: its very stressful to not know anything Im really scare it might be a bad sign ;( lucky you

 

[Hnhkrk]

Glad you had a possitive experience I have been waiting since july and i havent hear anything else after i send my police certificate and adicional documents /: its very stressful to not know anything Im really scare it might be a bad sign ;( lucky you

I was a lucky one in the fact that I got AOR.... I hope that you hear something soon.

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

Well if that is how you feel, then don't waste you time in my thread because it's here for the "supportive, feel good Oprah rhetoric". What I'm saying is reality for many, many people... and, like I said, many people from many different contrives have similar experiences you just don't hear about them because they have nothing to complain about.

People who do not have issues with the process have no need of a forum.

And you did ask me how much it cost for my to immigrate.

This was intended as more of a rhetorical question as it would not have cost you much compared to those of us with spouses from non exempt countries not directly attached to Canada. Your experience as an American immigrating to Canada will not benefit those immigrating from India or South America since many of the hoops required for them to jump through are not required of Americans.

 

[DuberBlue]

People who do not have issues with the process have no need of a forum.

True, but those who do need it also need to know that there's a light at the end of the tunnel...they need that pick-me-up to know they CAN achieve their goals here

This was intended as more of a rhetorical question as it would not have cost you much compared to those of us with spouses from non exempt countries not directly attached to Canada. Your experience as an American immigrating to Canada will not benefit those immigrating from India or South America since many of the hoops required for them to jump through are not required of Americans.

This I'm more in agreement with. Given this is technically an anonymous forum anyways it's not unreasonable to ask, and it's a pretty relevant question for a lot of people (and sometimes a deal-breaker), so I do feel the original response was a bit unnecessarily heavy-handed and defensive. Certainly the information doesn't have to be given out if one chooses but given the otherwise positive theme of the thread I feel it could have been said better. Just my thoughts on that...