Hello!
Sorry about the massive delay in sending out some of my application information! I want everyone to know that this process of obtaining a Permanent Resident Visa is a long, stressful time during which I give much credit to my wife and my family for being patient and positive throughout the wait. And a long wait it is... for us, not as long as others, but I wish everyone good luck and hope the results are in your favour!
I hope that this time-line with details/expereince can help others dealing with this process but please know that it is not a set-template of what to expect as everyone situation is different and what you give CIC may also be different.
First step (the biggest!) was I made sure I knew what we were getting into. Falling in love with my wife was the natural step but dealing with immigration and international borders is the serious legal step, so knowledge and patience were very important. I researched as much as I could from all the forms required by CIC to websites to lawyers (on-the-phone advice!). It is not always easy to just "read the forms" like some say but it is the best answer to the question "I don't understand what they need!". Please take the time and read as a mistake can cost you much time in delay.
Medicals done November 20, 2008
- you have 1 year from this date until they expire so we did it last!
Application filed November 21, 2008
- we sent EVERYTHING to CPC-Mississauga
- CPC-M deals with me (sponsor) then if I'm ok, CPC-M forwards the file to Singapore
- over 4 inches thick and about 2-3 kgs (this is what we had, everyone can be DIFFERENT!!)
Sponsorship approved December 19, 2008
- this was confusing for me as I used e-cas for the first time, make sure you log into e-cas as the sponsor for sponsor information or log in as the applicant for the applicant information :S
Singapore receives file January 6, 2009
- this was the last thing we saw on e-cas for about 3 months, we thought they forgot about us! No need to bother them with emails or phone calls as their website says they won't respond to queries unless your application is taking forever!
PCC requested April 25, 2009
- this letter took about 2 weeks to get to us (holiday festivals delayed Thai-Post) and the PCC was kind of a pain to get since we didn't live in Bkk.
- we finally sent the PCC May 14
Passport requested June 4, 2009
- we nervously mailed it EMS (express) June 10 and received the passport back, with the visa, exactly 2 weeks later, just like the other Thai applicants experienced.
Once we received the passport with the visa, we then planned our trip back home. We purchased tickets and landed in Vancouver June 30, 2009. We came into Canada with just our clothes and few possessions (including wedding stuff) with nothing to follow. The immigration staff we SUPER friendly to us and the IO asked a few questions to my wife. She had no problems answering them. I remember the IO asking questions like "where are you going to live", "have you been married before", "do you have any kids previously or with your current husband", "how much money do you have on you?". The IO didn't even care about the declaration forms (B4A forms). He had her sign the copy of her COPR and he said "Welcome to Canada" and "Good luck with your wedding!". The meeting/interview took 10 minutes with th IO.
Unexpected experience in Vancouver but at the end of the process, it worked out pretty good as I cannot complain about the landing at all. I've heard some crazy stories from friends and forum members here regarding IO's and it makes me shiver to know that good luck like ours is hard to come by.
I want to wish everyone out there who is dealing with this process, good luck, and I hope any of this information helps aid their process or even calms them! Thank you to all the member that have helped me and my wife in this process and believe me when I write, there are people in this forum that hold a wealth of immigration knowledge. At the same time, please know that in the end it is you that determines the outcome of the process. Be honest, be patient, and be smart (know your stuff and read up)!
canthai... out
Sorry about the massive delay in sending out some of my application information! I want everyone to know that this process of obtaining a Permanent Resident Visa is a long, stressful time during which I give much credit to my wife and my family for being patient and positive throughout the wait. And a long wait it is... for us, not as long as others, but I wish everyone good luck and hope the results are in your favour!
I hope that this time-line with details/expereince can help others dealing with this process but please know that it is not a set-template of what to expect as everyone situation is different and what you give CIC may also be different.
First step (the biggest!) was I made sure I knew what we were getting into. Falling in love with my wife was the natural step but dealing with immigration and international borders is the serious legal step, so knowledge and patience were very important. I researched as much as I could from all the forms required by CIC to websites to lawyers (on-the-phone advice!). It is not always easy to just "read the forms" like some say but it is the best answer to the question "I don't understand what they need!". Please take the time and read as a mistake can cost you much time in delay.
Medicals done November 20, 2008
- you have 1 year from this date until they expire so we did it last!
Application filed November 21, 2008
- we sent EVERYTHING to CPC-Mississauga
- CPC-M deals with me (sponsor) then if I'm ok, CPC-M forwards the file to Singapore
- over 4 inches thick and about 2-3 kgs (this is what we had, everyone can be DIFFERENT!!)
Sponsorship approved December 19, 2008
- this was confusing for me as I used e-cas for the first time, make sure you log into e-cas as the sponsor for sponsor information or log in as the applicant for the applicant information :S
Singapore receives file January 6, 2009
- this was the last thing we saw on e-cas for about 3 months, we thought they forgot about us! No need to bother them with emails or phone calls as their website says they won't respond to queries unless your application is taking forever!
PCC requested April 25, 2009
- this letter took about 2 weeks to get to us (holiday festivals delayed Thai-Post) and the PCC was kind of a pain to get since we didn't live in Bkk.
- we finally sent the PCC May 14
Passport requested June 4, 2009
- we nervously mailed it EMS (express) June 10 and received the passport back, with the visa, exactly 2 weeks later, just like the other Thai applicants experienced.
Once we received the passport with the visa, we then planned our trip back home. We purchased tickets and landed in Vancouver June 30, 2009. We came into Canada with just our clothes and few possessions (including wedding stuff) with nothing to follow. The immigration staff we SUPER friendly to us and the IO asked a few questions to my wife. She had no problems answering them. I remember the IO asking questions like "where are you going to live", "have you been married before", "do you have any kids previously or with your current husband", "how much money do you have on you?". The IO didn't even care about the declaration forms (B4A forms). He had her sign the copy of her COPR and he said "Welcome to Canada" and "Good luck with your wedding!". The meeting/interview took 10 minutes with th IO.
Unexpected experience in Vancouver but at the end of the process, it worked out pretty good as I cannot complain about the landing at all. I've heard some crazy stories from friends and forum members here regarding IO's and it makes me shiver to know that good luck like ours is hard to come by.
I want to wish everyone out there who is dealing with this process, good luck, and I hope any of this information helps aid their process or even calms them! Thank you to all the member that have helped me and my wife in this process and believe me when I write, there are people in this forum that hold a wealth of immigration knowledge. At the same time, please know that in the end it is you that determines the outcome of the process. Be honest, be patient, and be smart (know your stuff and read up)!
canthai... out
