Sao Paulo VO 2011

[Mdlf2016]

We also worked very hard on our application. I don't think is has nothing to do with that... It's probably faster for the people who were lucky enough to see their application sent back to Ottawa (overflow). It is still awfully unfair, but I guess I'm happy for you an anybody who finally gets to breath and be reunited with their loved ones. It's just a little challenging...

 

[Mightytonewheel]

We also worked very hard on our application. I don't think is has nothing to do with that... It's probably faster for the people who were lucky enough to see their application sent back to Ottawa (overflow). It is still awfully unfair, but I guess I'm happy for you an anybody who finally gets to breath and be reunited with their loved ones. It's just a little challenging...

I agree it probably has nothing to do with the application itself. But as far as I can tell, our application was processed in Sao Paulo, not Ottawa. Again, I have no idea why some go fast, and others don't. It's not the first time I've heard of two people applying within days of each other, but their DMs come months apart.

 

[Confuzzeled23]

Hey Everyone,

I am glad to hear that some of you have received your passport requests! My husband received his request on June 9! He turned it in, in person on June 10, at the Sao Paulo office. They told him it would take 5 business days and gave him a tracking number to follow online.

Has anyone else passed theirs in person to be picked up in person? I hope the 5 business days is accurate.

It's almost over. To those that are waiting this is my timeline:

Application submitted to Ottawa - September 10, 2015
Started processing in Ottawa - October 28, 2015
Request for additional forms - November 13, 2015
Approval to be sponsor - November 16, 2015
Application sent and received at Sao Paulo to begin processing - November 27, 2015
Ordered GCMS notes - April 7, 2016
Received Notes - May 5, 2016
Request for final fees and RCMP check - May 10, 2016
Submitted - May 24, 2016
Request for Passport - June 9, 2016
Passport submitted - June 10, 2016

So our whole process has taken 9 months from the start. So don't lose hope!

 

[ana_d]

I'm also staying in Canada as a visitor during the process. I was here when we applied so I have sent the Canadian Criminal Record together with my application. Good luck!!! Is probable almost done

Thank you! I hope I get my Criminal record soon!
I didn't know I had to send it with the application. : I thought it was only if I had 'officially' resided in Canada.

Congrats everyone who got DM today!

 

[Jaytheo40]

Congrats, lasgst! I have exactly the same news this morning. I (and my spouse) received an email requesting her passport, and her status reads "DECISION MADE". Our applications were submitted December 10, 2015, so the total time duration was 6 months and four days, which is considerably less than the 9 months currently indicated on the website.

Good luck to everyone.

Well congratulations Mighty - so happy for both you and your wife. Wow that was quick processing only just over 6 months. Wish you all the best and a smooth transition into Canada.

 

[Jaytheo40]

I sent my application on October 16th and haven't heard anything. I'm starting to worry. I was approved a my husband's sponsor on Dec 16th, and the São Paulo office started processing on Dec 30th. Haven't received my GCMS notes yet and I am very close to insanity. Please someone help. Do you think they could have lost my application?
Thank you for your help...

Hang in there - highly doubt your application was lost. I would assume your security checks are just taking longer that's all - everyone gets processed at different speeds here as we all know. I'm sure you will hear some great news soon - let us know when you get your passport request or receive your notes. Cheers gl

 

[Mdlf2016]

So... Today I received my GCMS notes... That couldn't have made me more anxious.

1) In February an agent looked at our application; stories, family letters, etc. This agent recommended the waive of the interview. Then nothing until May.
2) On May 27th 2016, a different agent looked at our application and started being very nick picky about certain details, saying that further informations were required to "prove the growth of the relationship".

Now I don't really know how to feel. My husband and I agreed that our situation is not the most common. We fell in love, moved in together after 2 months and 3 months later got married because we couldn't imagine being apart. My husband's working and studying Visa were expiring at the beginning of fall 2015.

We tried as much as possible to keep him in Canada but it became financially really difficult since he couldn't work, and I am a full time student. We've been apart since the end of Novembre 2015 for financial reason and CIC seems to think that it's weird, when they are the ones keeping us apart.

Long story short, my husband and I talk on the phone regularly and send each other pictures and messages by WhatsApp. I was in Brazil in March to be with him. I could only take 10 days off from school.. So it was short, but amazing to be able to be together. We got married for a second time, with a pastor and in a more religious setting since my in-laws are really religious. I mean, our relationship couldn't be moregenuine... But if feels pretty awful to have to convince someone that it is. It's already pretty damn hard to be apart for that long, I am extremely worried we could be rejected.

Still no news from CIC.. Not even to invite us for an interview. I wish I could send them additional proofs of my relationship; flight tickets, pictures of second wedding, etc. That, I guess would help... But I don't think it's possible.

What a nightmare.. But I wouldn't do anything different. When you meet the right person, you make it work.. It doesn't matter how much time and effort it takes.

Hang in there - highly doubt your application was lost. I would assume your security checks are just taking longer that's all - everyone gets processed at different speeds here as we all know. I'm sure you will hear some great news soon - let us know when you get your passport request or receive your notes. Cheers gl

 

[nsjk16]

So... Today I received my GCMS notes... That couldn't have made me more anxious.

1) In February an agent looked at our application; stories, family letters, etc. This agent recommended the waive of the interview. Then nothing until May.
2) On May 27th 2016, a different agent looked at our application and started being very nick picky about certain details, saying that further informations were required to "prove the growth of the relationship".

Now I don't really know how to feel. My husband and I agreed that our situation is not the most common. We fell in love, moved in together after 2 months and 3 months later got married because we couldn't imagine being apart. My husband's working and studying Visa were expiring at the beginning of fall 2015.

We tried as much as possible to keep him in Canada but it became financially really difficult since he couldn't work, and I am a full time student. We've been apart since the end of Novembre 2015 for financial reason and CIC seems to think that it's weird, when they are the ones keeping us apart.

Long story short, my husband and I talk on the phone regularly and send each other pictures and messages by WhatsApp. I was in Brazil in March to be with him. I could only take 10 days off from school.. So it was short, but amazing to be able to be together. We got married for a second time, with a pastor and in a more religious setting since my in-laws are really religious. I mean, our relationship couldn't be moregenuine... But if feels pretty awful to have to convince someone that it is. It's already pretty damn hard to be apart for that long, I am extremely worried we could be rejected.

Still no news from CIC.. Not even to invite us for an interview. I wish I could send them additional proofs of my relationship; flight tickets, pictures of second wedding, etc. That, I guess would help... But I don't think it's possible.

What a nightmare.. But I wouldn't do anything different. When you meet the right person, you make it work.. It doesn't matter how much time and effort it takes.

Oh no!! I'm sorry to hear that I can imagine how frustrating it might be when you are waiting so long for good news ans it turn to be not as good as expected!
But, the process is not over yet actually its not even confirmed they will require more profs of a genuine relationship. As far as I know they cant reject an application like that they do can ask for an interview and I'm sure your husband and you will be fine as the relationship is 100% genuine and you guys know each other so well!!!!!!! Hold on tight! Its not over yet and they didnt even request anything else...

When I was applying the legal assistant that helped my husband and I mentioned we could upgrate more pictures while in process but it would cause a delay in our application as the CIC agents would stop our process to analyze the new files!!
If they call your husband and youfor interview than you an bring all the update pictures/ documents you have...

I hope everything turns good for you two! I can imagine how hard is to be that long apart.... I was in Brazil for 2 weeks withoutmy husband and I almost went crazy!
It's hard but once is done I believe you two will have sooo much to celebrate!!!!! All the best!

 

[Mightytonewheel]

So... Today I received my GCMS notes... That couldn't have made me more anxious.

1) In February an agent looked at our application; stories, family letters, etc. This agent recommended the waive of the interview. Then nothing until May.
2) On May 27th 2016, a different agent looked at our application and started being very nick picky about certain details, saying that further informations were required to "prove the growth of the relationship".

Now I don't really know how to feel. My husband and I agreed that our situation is not the most common. We fell in love, moved in together after 2 months and 3 months later got married because we couldn't imagine being apart. My husband's working and studying Visa were expiring at the beginning of fall 2015.

We tried as much as possible to keep him in Canada but it became financially really difficult since he couldn't work, and I am a full time student. We've been apart since the end of Novembre 2015 for financial reason and CIC seems to think that it's weird, when they are the ones keeping us apart.

Long story short, my husband and I talk on the phone regularly and send each other pictures and messages by WhatsApp. I was in Brazil in March to be with him. I could only take 10 days off from school.. So it was short, but amazing to be able to be together. We got married for a second time, with a pastor and in a more religious setting since my in-laws are really religious. I mean, our relationship couldn't be moregenuine... But if feels pretty awful to have to convince someone that it is. It's already pretty damn hard to be apart for that long, I am extremely worried we could be rejected.

Still no news from CIC.. Not even to invite us for an interview. I wish I could send them additional proofs of my relationship; flight tickets, pictures of second wedding, etc. That, I guess would help... But I don't think it's possible.

What a nightmare.. But I wouldn't do anything different. When you meet the right person, you make it work.. It doesn't matter how much time and effort it takes.

Hi Mdlf2016. I'm sorry to hear of your situation. But at the moment, I'm not sure you have much to worry about. If your relationship is genuine, it's just going to be a question of demonstrating that to them. I know that's frustrating, but unfortunately CIC has to guard against immigration fraud, so they need to make sure marriages are real. Getting married after knowing each other for 5 months is very unusual, so I think it's understandable that CIC has some concerns.

However, I'm afraid your posting here doesn't give much information. What else did your GCMS notes say? You don't say when you got married, but I presume it was before your trip to Brazil in March. (So, CIC doesn't know about that trip at all.) You don't give us much insight into your original application -- how much detail was provided other than "stories and family letters, etc.". Did include any pictures at all? Were there pictures of the first wedding? Did your friends and family meet him? Did you include phone records, Whatsapp transcripts (from the time you were dating through to now)?

Here's the good news. CIC will not reject your application without asking for more information and conducting an interview. When and if they do, this is your chance to persuade them. Start gathering the evidence now, including evidence after you were married, and after you sent in your application. CIC will understand that couples who are trying to commit fraud are unlikely to have trips and conduct a second marriage ceremony after your application was sent it. So, show them the trip tickets, pictures from the trip, the second marriage, your passport stamp, your Brazilian visa (which you would have had to apply for in order to travel to Brazil), the pictures of your trip (you took pictures, right??), your Whatsapp transcripts since your got married, etc. Add in any evidence of the growth of your relationship -- any pictures, notes, cards, Whatsapp messages, emails, etc. Remember, CIC agents are strangers -- they don't know you at all, so they can't draw any conclusions unless you show them.

I still don't think you have anything to worry about. It looks like at least one agent wanted to waive the interview. They might want some more information, but that shouldn't be a big deal. When they ask for it, just give it to them, and you'll be fine.

 

[Mdlf2016]

Hi Mightytonewheel,

We were definitely expecting to have to go for an interview considering our very short relationship. We got married in August 2015... Our application was definitely as complete as possible. We met with an immigration consultant to review everything before we sent it. We included as many photos of our wedding, the hiking trip we were together when we decided to get married, letters of support from my family as well as his, proof of our joint account and living situation in Vancouver, and way more! But as you said, everything that happened after October 19th, they have no idea. We do have all our cellphone records, my regular conversations with my husband and with many of my in-laws, my own parents inviting us to go to Quebec in August of this year for a 3rd wedding, etc. I think we should be able to convince them... Lucas and I are working on gathering all the information needed to back ourselves up. We want this interview to happen, we were/are expecting it, and we'll be ready for it.

Thank you so much for your support! I am not too sure how I'd survive without this amazing forum..

Hi Mdlf2016. I'm sorry to hear of your situation. But at the moment, I'm not sure you have much to worry about. If your relationship is genuine, it's just going to be a question of demonstrating that to them. I know that's frustrating, but unfortunately CIC has to guard against immigration fraud, so they need to make sure marriages are real. Getting married after knowing each other for 5 months is very unusual, so I think it's understandable that CIC has some concerns.

However, I'm afraid your posting here doesn't give much information. What else did your GCMS notes say? You don't say when you got married, but I presume it was before your trip to Brazil in March. (So, CIC doesn't know about that trip at all.) You don't give us much insight into your original application -- how much detail was provided other than "stories and family letters, etc.". Did include any pictures at all? Were there pictures of the first wedding? Did your friends and family meet him? Did you include phone records, Whatsapp transcripts (from the time you were dating through to now)?

Here's the good news. CIC will not reject your application without asking for more information and conducting an interview. When and if they do, this is your chance to persuade them. Start gathering the evidence now, including evidence after you were married, and after you sent in your application. CIC will understand that couples who are trying to commit fraud are unlikely to have trips and conduct a second marriage ceremony after your application was sent it. So, show them the trip tickets, pictures from the trip, the second marriage, your passport stamp, your Brazilian visa (which you would have had to apply for in order to travel to Brazil), the pictures of your trip (you took pictures, right??), your Whatsapp transcripts since your got married, etc. Add in any evidence of the growth of your relationship -- any pictures, notes, cards, Whatsapp messages, emails, etc. Remember, CIC agents are strangers -- they don't know you at all, so they can't draw any conclusions unless you show them.

I still don't think you have anything to worry about. It looks like at least one agent wanted to waive the interview. They might want some more information, but that shouldn't be a big deal. When they ask for it, just give it to them, and you'll be fine.

 

[Mightytonewheel]

Hi Mightytonewheel,

We were definitely expecting to have to go for an interview considering our very short relationship. We got married in August 2015... Our application was definitely as complete as possible. We met with an immigration consultant to review everything before we sent it. We included as many photos of our wedding, the hiking trip we were together when we decided to get married, letters of support from my family as well as his, proof of our joint account and living situation in Vancouver, and way more! But as you said, everything that happened after October 19th, they have no idea. We do have all our cellphone records, my regular conversations with my husband and with many of my in-laws, my own parents inviting us to go to Quebec in August of this year for a 3rd wedding, etc. I think we should be able to convince them... Lucas and I are working on gathering all the information needed to back ourselves up. We want this interview to happen, we were/are expecting it, and we'll be ready for it.

Thank you so much for your support! I am not too sure how I'd survive without this amazing forum..

Well, I think you're going to be fine. At least one agent thought an interview should be waived. It looks like they might ask for additional evidence, but not an interview.

I also had a consultant review our application. We met online in February 2014, in person in Brazil in December 2014, engaged in June 2015, and married in November. She said the weak point of the application is the short dating duration, and to not be surprised if we get called for an interview. But we didn't. In situations like this, they are just looking for a little assurance. I don't think it's a case of giant red flags. Not at all.

Good luck and keep us up-to-date.

 

[nsjk16]

Hello,

My husband and I also have a short relationship. We met on January 2015, got engaged on my bday on May 2015, married on July 2015 but we only submitted our sponsorship process end of January 2016, 6 months after our wedding. During our relationships we had 3 trips outside Canada together what my legal assistant believes to be a strong proof of our genuine relationship as CIC believe "fake" couples don't travel outside the country together. My husband went to visit me in Brazil before our wedding on June, we also went to Bahamas for my bday on May and we were in Europe for 20 days for our honeymoon on August 2015.

I'm also insecure as I know our marriage is less than a year (1 year and 5 months relationship in total). Because our short relationship we were advised to don't apply right away after our wedding and I also have the tourist visa so we decided to wait and collect more documents/proofs/ supportive letters and have time to work in a good application.
I know each case is different, but I'm happy to know some of you also have short relationships as we.

 

[inc]

How long has it taken folks here to get their Passports back with Visa/COPR from Sao Paulo VO?

My partner and I applied as a common-law, and sent her Passport over 2 weeks ago. The letter said it would take 10 days to get the passport back. Any idea?

 

[Mightytonewheel]

How long has it taken folks here to get their Passports back with Visa/COPR from Sao Paulo VO?

My partner and I applied as a common-law, and sent her Passport over 2 weeks ago. The letter said it would take 10 days to get the passport back. Any idea?

The letter I received from Sao Paulo said: "Our office will make the best effort to have your passport returned to you with your permanent resident visa within 30 days from their receipt."

My guess is that it should take around 2 weeks, minus transit time.

 

[CCGS2015]

The letter I received from Sao Paulo said: "Our office will make the best effort to have your passport returned to you with your permanent resident visa within 30 days from their receipt."

My guess is that it should take around 2 weeks, minus transit time.

Did you received letter by mail or an email requesting the passports? Let us know how long it takes for you to have yours back from the Visa Office!