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Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

Calgary-Bound

Hero Member
Jun 9, 2011
420
3
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
14/2/2011
AOR Received.
15/3/2011
File Transfer...
24/2/2011
Med's Done....
27/9/2010
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
02/04/2012
LANDED..........
28/04/2012
Stumpedmom said:
Your application is in process. We are unable to provide a date when the processing of your application will be complete.

Regards,


Canadian Consulate General Buffalo

Immigration Section

buffalo-im-enquiry @ international.gc.ca


Yaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy finally....we are in process and have a file number!!! We are still showing as application received, but we can log into Ecas with our file number too....

Sorry about this to the December thru February apps.....I really hope that all of yours come along...I sent a case specific enquiry with the information and this is the response we go back by email...with the File number as the subject line....

what info did you send In your email and what address do you have to send it to?
 

Stumpedmom

Hero Member
Sep 16, 2010
541
14
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
22/03/2011 Receivd CPC-M
AOR Received.
16/06/2011
File Transfer...
06/05/2011 Received in Buffalo, 06/2011 to Los Angeles
Med's Done....
12/10/2010
Interview........
waived...obviously cuz we got the PPR
Passport Req..
16/8/2011
VISA ISSUED...
24/8/2011 in our hands 8/29/2011
LANDED..........
3/9/2011
jayde said:
After I sent my first e-mail they wrote back asking for more info. This is what they need to find your file:

Thank you for your enquiry. You have not provided enough information for us to respond.

Please provide the principal applicants:

Full name as it appears on their passport:

Date of birth:

What type of Visa did you apply for:

When was your application submitted:

Your client id number:

Passport number:


Hope that helps :)
jayde posted this....thats what I sent on the 13th, got an answer today
 

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
adi79 said:
thanks for your concern! however, we have applied for a visitor record for her. if we get that before the US visa interview, do you think she can re-enter canada with the visitor record?
Visitor Records dont authorize re-entry. Its good for the current visit. Sorry :(
 

kelKel

Champion Member
Apr 8, 2010
1,296
63
Canada
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-10-2010
AOR Received.
17-11-2010
File Transfer...
04-11-2010
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
28-02-2011
LANDED..........
03-03-2011
Tiggilicious said:
Visitor Records dont authorize re-entry. Its good for the current visit. Sorry :(
This is correct. The purpose of the visitor visa extension is to extend the time she can remain in Canada. The extension becomes void when she exits the country. Being she's not visa exempt she wouldn't be allowed to reenter. Hopefully a more senior member can give more direction.
 

ocu_canadian

Star Member
Oct 21, 2010
97
3
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
17/01/2011
Doc's Request.
none needed
AOR Received.
29/05/2011
File Transfer...
08/02/2011
Med's Done....
16/11/2010
Interview........
Waived
Passport Req..
11/07/11
VISA ISSUED...
12/07/11
LANDED..........
12/07/11
My wife received an ECAS update yesterday stating her application is now in Process as of June 13th 2011... Hoping for a quick PPR :)
 

avon

Full Member
Apr 5, 2011
47
2
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
Dec. 1 2010
AOR Received.
March 2 2011
File Transfer...
Jan. 5 2011
Med's Request
received on IA Apr 6, 2011
Med's Done....
Sept 10, 2010
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
July 6, 2011
I just read this, and thought I should warn people.


"the U.S. Postal Service will suspend accepting mail destined to Canada -- effective Saturday, June 18, 2011, 11:59 p.m. CDT -- with the exception of Global Express Guaranteed shipments. As a convenience to our customers and to minimize service disruptions, we arranged to accept mail destined for Canada as long as possible," said Giselle Valera, vice president, Global Business. "We will continue to closely monitor the strike situation, and once Canada Post resumes operations, the U.S. Postal Service will again begin accepting mail for Canada. We also will then resume processing any Canadian-destined mail currently held in our network."


I guess this counts for people having their mail forwarded to Canada.
 

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

Good morning,

Well I finally got an update. :) After sending a case specific inquiry to Mississauga like Stumped Mom, they responded that my application is now in process. My status has not been updated in E-Cas so I'm not sure when they started processing it. I will probably send for CAIPS notes when I get to Canada. Yes the second news is that we are making the trek up to Canada tomorrow: First stop San Francisco, Last stop Vancouver. Wish us luck and I'll see you on the other side.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,714
22,020
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Re: Update

Salsalvr said:
Good morning,

Well I finally got an update. :) After sending a case specific inquiry to Mississauga like Stumped Mom, they responded that my application is now in process. My status has not been updated in E-Cas so I'm not sure when they started processing it. I will probably send for CAIPS notes when I get to Canada. Yes the second news is that we are making the trek up to Canada tomorrow: First stop San Francisco, Last stop Vancouver. Wish us luck and I'll see you on the other side.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
 

can_usa_97

Hero Member
May 22, 2010
878
20
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
07/13/2010
AOR Received.
09/07/2010 in process 9/2
File Transfer...
08/12/2010
Med's Request
Rcv'd dtd 10/18
Med's Done....
06/22/2010
Interview........
Waived dtd 10/18
Passport Req..
11/04/2010
VISA ISSUED...
11/16/2010
LANDED..........
06/18/2011
I completed my landing today at Sault Ste. Marie. It took around 35-45 mins.

I entered Canada;
IO: Where are you from?
Me: WI
IO: How long are you staying for?
Me: Just long enough to complete my landing process.
IO: (fills out yellow slip) Take this slip and park under the canopy.

Under canopy:
IO takes my paper and passport and hands it back saying, take everything you'll need inside to the desk.

Inside:
I wait in the only line there is and the only person at the desk.
they ask: How can I help you?
Me: I am landing today and having my goods to follow.
She asks: Why are you landing today if you aren't moving?
Me: My visa expires on Wednesday and our home has not sold.
she replies: They aren't going to let you do that, I don't think, you have to do it when you actually move, but you need to go see the Immigration officer - turns out she was just a 'cashier' or something.

At Immigration counter:
IO: How can I help you?
Me: I'm here to do my landing, but have only goods to follow.
IO: Ok, let me see your papers. Take a seat.
Me: Ok, thanks.
a few minutes pass and he comes out again
IO: You have no goods for today? What about vehicles, things in your car?
Me: I mean I do have my vehicle today, and there are goods in there but I didn't bring paperwork to import/export them today since I am not moving I would be driving illegally in the US then.
IO: Ok, that's fine.
He goes back for a while. I think he was training someone as he called someone else into the room. I sit back down and wait, and he comes back
IO: When do you plan to move? IO: Why aren't you moving today?
Me: Our house has not sold and we need those funds, to purchase a new home in Canada. However, as I understand it if I don't land before my visa expires I lose it.
IO: Ok, good, just wanted to make sure I understood it. No worries, it's OK. (I think he could tell I was worried)

I completed my landing today at Sault Ste. Marie. It took around 35-45 mins.

I entered Canada;
IO: Where are you from?
Me: WI
IO: How long are you staying for?
Me: Just long enough to complete my landing process.
IO: (fills out yellow slip) Take this slip and park under the canopy.

Under canopy:
IO takes my paper and passport and hands it back saying, take everything you'll need inside to the desk.

Inside:
I wait in the only line there is and the only person at the desk.
they ask: How can I help you?
Me: I am landing today and having my goods to follow.
She asks: Why are you landing today if you aren't moving?
Me: My visa expires on Wednesday and our home has not sold.
she replies: They aren't going to let you do that, I don't think, you have to do it when you actually move, but you need to go see the Immigration officer - turns out she was just a 'cashier' or something.

At Immigration counter:
IO: How can I help you?
Me: I'm here to do my landing, but have only goods to follow.
IO: Ok, let me see your papers. Take a seat.
Me: Ok, thanks.
a few minutes pass and he comes out again
IO: You have no goods for today? What about vehicles, things in your car?
Me: I mean I do have my vehicle today, and there are goods in there but I didn't bring paperwork to import/export them today since I am not moving I would be driving illegally in the US then.
IO: Ok, that's fine.
He goes back for a while. I think he was training someone as he called someone else into the room. I sit back down and wait, and he comes back
IO: When do you plan to move? IO: Why aren't you moving today?
Me: Our house has not sold and we need those funds, to purchase a new home in Canada. However, as I understand it if I don't land before my visa expires I lose it.
IO: Ok, good, just wanted to make sure I understood it. No worries, it's OK. (I think he could tell I was worried)

The the other IO comes out and asks if I have an address of where I will live when we move or a family member for my PR card to goto. I say yes, my mother-in-law/sister-in-law's house. He asks for the address and I said I don't know the postal code off hand but it is in my paperwork in the folder the other IO took. He gets it and verifies it and goes back to hsi room.

IO comes out after a bit more time and asks me some questions, if I am still married - yes - initial next to that line. Do I still have no convictions - yes, none. He said, are you sure, you reflected that on your paper when you filed? Yup, nothing even to a parking ticket. Ok, initial here. How much money do you have with you today? Count it up. It's just a question they want put on here. So I did, and told him. Then he had me sign 2x my name, and ensuring that I stayed in the white area on the one. He was funny about it and if I don't - it's no good. The way he said it was funny, not the idea that it's not good - as it really isn't.

He writes some info in my passport, staples the COPR in and hands back my papers. Then he extends his hand and says "WELCOME TO Canada!"

I then asked if my goods were setup to go as well and he said, no, we'll do that now let me find someone to help you.

The man who had helped me originally ended up doing it.
I remarked that I had everything filled out but I as I was driving there forgot to include the GPS and my kids carseats!? He said, do not worry about those, they will not be an issue. He filled out some stuff and moved my vehicles from the goods to follow list area to somewhere on the main page and verified my total. He logged things in the computer and I was on my way.

While there a couple ( I assume) had just tried to up and move to Canada that day I think, they were giving them a flag that if they entered again they would have to have proof of like 8 things (rent, mortgage, paystub, financial ties, sufficient money to enter, ect) Or be retained up to 3weeks. It sounded like they had no identification at all, and as I was leaving (they were there when I arrived and still talking to them when I left) they were discussing some detaining that the man had in Tallahassee.

I turned around without leaving the immigration hub and headed back over International Bridge. MAN, that bridge is scary!
My kids & Hubby were back at the St. Marie's Fall Park (?) and had spent the time watching boats go in and out of the locks and just exploring the park. I think I was gone about an hour total. I'm glad we ended up doing that. I can't imagine that it'd have been useful to have them waiting whilst I did this portion- although they are cute

At the US border, They asked where I was from, what I did in Canada and when I replied I was there an hour only and just at the immigration office and came straight back to do my landing, he asked so your moving to Canada? You marry a Canadian? I said yes. Where is your husband? In Saulte St Marie at the park with the kids. So he lives in the uS with you? How long? Yes, 14 years (though I guess I 'lied' as its' been 14 in December- oops) He said, oh, so he has a green card then? Yes, he does. Why the move now then? I said that my family has spread out or are gone and by moving there we have a hub of family for our kids to grow up around. He nodded in agreement and said Ok, I understand. handed back my passport and said "have a good day"


The other IO comes out after a bit more time and asks me some questions, if I am still married - yes - initial next to that line. Do I still have no convictions - yes, none. He said, are you sure, you reflected that on your paper when you filed? Yup, nothing even to a parking ticket. Ok, initial here. How much money do you have with you today? Count it up. It's just a question they want put on here. So I did, and told him. Then he had me sign 2x my name, and ensuring that I stayed in the white area on the one. He was funny about it and if I don't - it's no good. The way he said it was funny, not the idea that it's not good - as it really isn't.

He writes some info in my passport, staples the COPR in and hands back my papers. Then he extends his hand and says "WELCOME TO Canada!"

I then asked if my goods were setup to go as well and he said, no, we'll do that now let me find someone to help you.

The man who had helped me originally ended up doing it.
I remarked that I had everything filled out but I as I was driving there forgot to include the GPS and my kids carseats!? He said, do not worry about those, they will not be an issue. He filled out some stuff and moved my vehicles from the goods to follow list area to somewhere on the main page and verified my total. He logged things in the computer and I was on my way.

While there a couple ( I assume) had just tried to up and move to Canada that day I think, they were giving them a flag that if they entered again they would have to have proof of like 8 things (rent, mortgage, paystub, financial ties, sufficient money to enter, ect) Or be retained up to 3weeks. It sounded like they had no identification at all, and as I was leaving (they were there when I arrived and still talking to them when I left) they were discussing some detaining that the man had in Tallahassee.

I turned around without leaving the immigration hub and headed back over International Bridge. MAN, that bridge is scary!
My kids & Hubby were back at the St. Marie's Fall Park (?) and had spent the time watching boats go in and out of the locks and just exploring the park. I think I was gone about an hour total. I'm glad we ended up doing that. I can't imagine that it'd have been useful to have them waiting whilst I did this portion- although they are cute

At the US border, They asked where I was from, what I did in Canada and when I replied I was there an hour only and just at the immigration office and came straight back to do my landing, he asked so your moving to Canada? You marry a Canadian? I said yes. Where is your husband? In Saulte St Marie at the park with the kids. So he lives in the uS with you? How long? Yes, 14 years (though I guess I 'lied' as its' been 14 in December- oops) He said, oh, so he has a green card then? Yes, he does. Why the move now then? I said that my family has spread out or are gone and by moving there we have a hub of family for our kids to grow up around. He nodded in agreement and said Ok, I understand. handed back my passport and said "have a good day"
 

can_usa_97

Hero Member
May 22, 2010
878
20
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
07/13/2010
AOR Received.
09/07/2010 in process 9/2
File Transfer...
08/12/2010
Med's Request
Rcv'd dtd 10/18
Med's Done....
06/22/2010
Interview........
Waived dtd 10/18
Passport Req..
11/04/2010
VISA ISSUED...
11/16/2010
LANDED..........
06/18/2011
avon said:
I just read this, and thought I should warn people.


"the U.S. Postal Service will suspend accepting mail destined to Canada -- effective Saturday, June 18, 2011, 11:59 p.m. CDT -- with the exception of Global Express Guaranteed shipments. As a convenience to our customers and to minimize service disruptions, we arranged to accept mail destined for Canada as long as possible," said Giselle Valera, vice president, Global Business. "We will continue to closely monitor the strike situation, and once Canada Post resumes operations, the U.S. Postal Service will again begin accepting mail for Canada. We also will then resume processing any Canadian-destined mail currently held in our network."


I guess this counts for people having their mail forwarded to Canada.
My MIL was telling dh about this tonight when he called to say to watch for my PR card. For her, she said they aren't delivering everyday anymore within Canada either, just certain days or something.
 

SMA.DE

Hero Member
Jun 19, 2011
221
4
hi everyone, just wondering whether anyone submitted phone bills with detailed call logs when a couple living together. Also when I read the country specific instruction, it asks for

IDENTITY AND CIVIL STATUS DOCUMENTS
Provide birth certificates, baptismal certificates, national identity card or certificate (Cedula) where available, or other official document confirming relationship (including all pages of Household Registries) for you and each of your family members.

Anyone submit all pages of Household Registries?

Thanks a lot ! this is a really amazing thread!
 

argenta

Full Member
May 18, 2011
24
0
Category........
Visa Office......
BUFF/NYC
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
20-11-2010
AOR Received.
19-01-2011
File Transfer...
11-01-2011
Passport Req..
05-10-2011
Jeff said:
Not a damn thing. I was looking over the October (I originally applied in October) and November threads last night and noticed most of those were wrapped up with the exception of a few unfortunate couples (poor Rinnerz for example) :( Then it hits December and just stops...so odd.
My husband and I have not contributed to the BUFF spreadsheet so far - just thought I would mention that we applied in November 2010 and heard nothing until a few weeks ago when we discovered that our file had been transferred to NY. Our application was complete when submitted and we paid all fees up front. Since the transfer NY has returned all our evidence of relationship documents but offered no additional info on where we are at in the process. Based on the CAIPS notes and ECAS, we are pretty sure that his application sat in Buffalo from January until late May until anyone even looked at it.

Ours feels like it would be a pretty straightforward case so this is likely just a situation of bad luck. We'll see...but hopefully it makes the Jan/Feb/Mar crew feel a bit better to know they're not the only ones that feel like this takes forever.
 

sshelton

Full Member
May 30, 2011
34
0
Not to be a kill-joy with all the progress from people getting their 'in process' file numbers, but can anyone tell me if putting in a request such as stumpedmom has done, actually leads to any difference in processing? In other words, if I put in such a request, is the idea that the officer would take a look at my application and process it or does it go right back to the where it was in the process queue.

Again, I don't mean to be a kill-joy, but just want to know what I can actually expect to happen if I put in such a request.

Thanks,
SS
 

jayde

Hero Member
Feb 18, 2010
265
8
Alberta
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
24-3-2011
File Transfer...
03-05-2011
Med's Done....
03-01-2011
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
06-10-2011
VISA ISSUED...
27-10-2011
LANDED..........
04-11-2011 WOO HOO!!!
I personally did it because I needed a file number to send in our change of address etc. However, I can tell you that while it probably won't speed things along for your case, I did get some peace of mind knowing that our file was in process, and the ability to log in and see it on E-Cas.

That alone was worth it for me.
 

mmshock

Star Member
Jan 11, 2011
153
2
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
29-03-2011
File Transfer...
02-05-2011
Med's Done....
11-02-2011
Passport Req..
30-08-2011
LANDED..........
08-09-2011
Wish I would get some reply! I have contacted them several times in regards to changing my address and have included all the information I have seen that they need and they still won't e-mail me back.

Huge sigh.