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Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

Tiggilicious

Hero Member
Jun 1, 2010
206
4
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-02-2011
AOR Received.
28-06-2011
File Transfer...
01-03-2011
Med's Request
31-07-2011
Med's Done....
14-01-2011
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
08-08-2011
VISA ISSUED...
30-08-2011
Did you get response from them by mail?
 

quagaar145

Full Member
Jan 30, 2011
27
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
04-02-2011
Doc's Request.
12-09-2011
AOR Received.
18-07-2011
File Transfer...
03-03-2011
Med's Done....
24-01-2011
Interview........
WAIVED
Passport Req..
07-10-2011
VISA ISSUED...
21-10-2011
Love-Buf-Wings said:
Hi Tiggilicious,

We wondered about whether Swaziland would be an issue. Not sure why an FBI clearance isn't sufficient since Peace Corps is governed by federal public law. I also thought our file wouldn't be examined until a few weeks later. Happy to know of this sooner than later. Our application was forwarded March 17th. Thanks!
Hi Buf-Wings,
Did you receive a letter from Buffalo about your application or was this notification done by email? I know you had emailed them previously, just wondering if that made them get going on your app a little faster.

Thanks!
 

Love-Buf-Wings

Star Member
Apr 18, 2011
54
1
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
04-02-2011
AOR Received.
03-05-2011
File Transfer...
17-03-2011
Med's Done....
18-11-2010
Passport Req..
02-06-2011
VISA ISSUED...
07-06-2011
LANDED..........
July, 2011
quagaar145 said:
Hi Buf-Wings,
Did you receive a letter from Buffalo about your application or was this notification done by email? I know you had emailed them previously, just wondering if that made them get going on your app a little faster.

Thanks!
Hi Quagaar145,

My husband received a letter. He lives in Buffalo and comes to Toronto on weekends, maybe both reasons could have expedited our file.
 

Tiggilicious

Hero Member
Jun 1, 2010
206
4
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-02-2011
AOR Received.
28-06-2011
File Transfer...
01-03-2011
Med's Request
31-07-2011
Med's Done....
14-01-2011
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
08-08-2011
VISA ISSUED...
30-08-2011

boomerang11

Star Member
Apr 30, 2011
59
2
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
14-04-2011 (CPC-M received on 15 March 2011); MICC Received Undertaking - 27 April 2011
Nomination.....
CSQ Received 27 May 2011
AOR Received.
No AOR; Initial Assessment via e-mail - 8 June 2011
File Transfer...
Buffalo Acknowledged PR Application - 21 April 2011
Med's Done....
25-10-2010
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
08-07-2011
VISA ISSUED...
08-08-11
LANDED..........
03-09-11
sparkle said:
Ooopss ! I may have missed that ! Thank you :)
Sparkle,
I'm new to the site and just noticed all your work on the spreadsheet! Great job! Can you add me, too, please?

My husband is Canadian (Quebecois) and is sponsoring me (US Citizen)...we both live in TX.


I can't remember all the headings so I'll just freestyle it:

Appl. sent to Mississauga - 3/11
Appl. arrived in Mississauga - 3/15
Sponsor Appl. processed - 4/14
E-cas Update..."Decision Made" - 4/15
Received Sponsorship approval letter - 4/20
E-cas Update ..."Application Received" (in Buffalo)- 4/22
Sent Undertaking & CSQ Request to Quebec - 4/22
Undertaking & CSQ Request arrived - 4/27
Telephone Question to MICC (Quebec) about something different, but they volunteered that I would receive my CSQ within 2 weeks - 5/3

That's it so far...I hope to add more soon!

Thanks so much!
 

karla718

Full Member
Dec 8, 2010
23
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
07-01-2010
AOR Received.
11-03-2011
File Transfer...
13-01-2011
Med's Done....
17-01-2011
Passport Req..
06-09-2011
Question for the folks who have had their applications transferred from Buffalo to elsewhere:

How long did it take for the other office to received your file? I emailed Detroit yesterday to inform them of an address change (per Buffalo's instructions not to use eCas). Detroit replied that our application was not in their system under either of our file numbers or names. It has been 2 weeks and change since I received the notice from Buffalo.

Should I be worried yet?
 

Romain

Star Member
Jan 9, 2011
58
2
Kitchener Ontario
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
10-12-2010
AOR Received.
15-03-2011
File Transfer...
13-01-2010
Med's Done....
07-12-2010
Karla718

I would not be surprised if you had an #FXXXX file number in the initial AOR from Buffalo (that you received in March) and that the email you got from Buffalo in April informing you of the transfer showed and #BXXXXX file number in the subject (despite the fact that same email says your file number has not changed etc...)

Now i believe the #BXXXX file number is the old system number and #FXXXX is the new system number.

Still i believe it is more secure to mention BOTH in all communication. (on eCAS both show "Application received on Jan 19th etc...)
 

karla718

Full Member
Dec 8, 2010
23
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
07-01-2010
AOR Received.
11-03-2011
File Transfer...
13-01-2011
Med's Done....
17-01-2011
Passport Req..
06-09-2011
Thanks Romain! I only used the FXXX initially but then included the BXXX in my subsequent reply to explain the transfer. They have already replied again to say that the file is not in their database yet and to email them again in a week. I will put off freaking out until then.
 

Merik

Full Member
Sep 10, 2010
31
0
124
Sanford North Carolina
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
NOC Code......
N/A
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
18-04-2011
Doc's Request.
N/A
Nomination.....
N/A
AOR Received.
27-06-2011
IELTS Request
N/A
File Transfer...
14-06-2011
Med's Request
09-09-2011
Med's Done....
10-02-2011
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
26-10-2011
VISA ISSUED...
11-11-2011
LANDED..........
04-02-2012 (Planned)
I really do hope that those dates are meant to be 2010, Otherwise that is the longest it has taken for sponsor approval that i have ever seen lol
 

Salsalvr

Member
Jan 12, 2011
19
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-02-2011
AOR Received.
confirmed 18-6-2011
File Transfer...
01-03-2011
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
26-07-2011
Update of Immigration times

Hi Sparkle,

Thank you so much for creating this spreadsheet. Here is my information.

Application Received in Missisauga: 02/01/2011
Application transferred to Buffalo: 03/01/2011
Application received in Buffalo: 03/10/2011

Note: Sponsoring spouse and children

This has been such an arduous experience....not just the immigration application part, but having to be separated for several months (with only weekend visits) after being together every day for 10 years, and the stress of all we are leaving behind.

Good luck to everyone on speedy turnaround times. Speaking of this, does anyone know why the Buffalo office is experiencing delays right now (budget cuts?), versus normal turnaround times.
 

puzzle69

Star Member
Apr 16, 2011
70
1
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
23-02-2011
AOR Received.
07-04-2011
File Transfer...
24-03-2011
Med's Request
01-06-2011
Med's Done....
11-05-2011
Passport Req..
11-07-2011
VISA ISSUED...
18-07-2011
LANDED..........
25-10-2011
Would anyone happen to know a better way to contact Buffalo besides e-mail? I e-mailed them a week and a half ago and they haven't gotten back in touch, and I can't call them. I need to repay my son's PR fee but I'm not sure if I can pay it online or if I have to send it snail mail to Buffalo. I initially paid the fee online with my application but it was refunded because Mississauga informed us he was citizenship eligible. We've since learned he is not because he is adopted. We have to go the PR route again. I'm trying to get them the payment so my application does not get held up. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance....
 

Doiron

Member
Apr 20, 2011
15
0
California to Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
18-02-2011
AOR Received.
18-05-2011
File Transfer...
16-03-2011
Med's Done....
27-01-2011
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
20-07-2011
A quick question:

I submitted my outland spousal application without my police certificate on 2/16. I received my police certificate on 2/17 and it is dated 2/11/11. My question is, I am waiting for my AOR to send the police (FBI) certificate so they can attach it to my file with the ID # buffalo gives me. Seeing how the 3 month timeframe would end on 5/11/11, should I get another FBI certificate to submit to buffalo when AOR arrives? or is the FBI certificate still acceptable? Thanks for your help! :)
 

puzzle69

Star Member
Apr 16, 2011
70
1
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
23-02-2011
AOR Received.
07-04-2011
File Transfer...
24-03-2011
Med's Request
01-06-2011
Med's Done....
11-05-2011
Passport Req..
11-07-2011
VISA ISSUED...
18-07-2011
LANDED..........
25-10-2011
I think I've got my answer. I found this on the Buffalo website:

"Please note: All fees for Family Class applicants must be submitted to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario using an official fee receipt (IMM5401)."

Looks like I don't have a choice. I have to pay through Mississauga (which is fine by me because I can pay online). Has anyone else had to pay fees after filing Family Class and paid through Mississauga?
 

puzzle69

Star Member
Apr 16, 2011
70
1
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
23-02-2011
AOR Received.
07-04-2011
File Transfer...
24-03-2011
Med's Request
01-06-2011
Med's Done....
11-05-2011
Passport Req..
11-07-2011
VISA ISSUED...
18-07-2011
LANDED..........
25-10-2011
Doiron,

I'm about 2 weeks behind you in the application process. I know through E-cas that Buffalo received my application on April 7, but I've yet to get a file# mailed to me. I don't know if you'll get your file# in time. You may have to get an updated FBI certificate if it's very close to expiring. Would anyone else agree with this? I don't know how strict Buffalo is about the expiration....
 

Feaky Snucker

Star Member
Apr 19, 2011
64
1
Calgary
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
02-02-2011
AOR Received.
11-03-2011
Med's Done....
29-06-2010
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
01-09-2011
VISA ISSUED...
20-09-2011
LANDED..........
Next Wednesday, barring catastrophe.
I'm pretty sure the 3 month expiration of the police/ FBI refers to it being no older than 3 months old before Mississauga receives it.