Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[Jeff]

Wrote mine today *shrugs*

 

[spiritrac]

It is really troubling to see some of the stuff on some of these forums. most of us when this process started knew what the timeframes might be for sponsorship and filed our applications with that in mind. however, because some people have gotten PPR before some of us who were filed earlier does not mean that the VO is illogical or inconsiderate or dont care or are unprofessional we certainly dont know the case load of each officer so most of our comments is speculative in nature. I am sure that most of the people at the visa offices are professional and are working hard to sift thru the info and the case presented

 

[buffalo-toronto]

It is really troubling to see some of the stuff on some of these forums. most of us when this process started knew what the timeframes might be for sponsorship and filed our applications with that in mind. however, because some people have gotten PPR before some of us who were filed earlier does not mean that the VO is illogical or inconsiderate or dont care or are unprofessional we certainly dont know the case load of each officer so most of our comments is speculative in nature. I am sure that most of the people at the visa offices are professional and are working hard to sift thru the info and the case presented

I actually doubt that. Agreed Ecas is not for Buffalo folks but the lack of communication from them has been surprising. Lot of times when the applicant has emailed is only when he/she has come to know that there is something missing or he will be getting PPR. They dont notify for any change in status of any kind, if the system is of professional standards, how come they are issuing visas to March folks while previous months wait? I can understand its a case by case basis thing but if they put the case on the back burner or because something was misssing, they should have communicated that before moving onto other files.

I dont think anyone from Jan. has got PPR, only 1-2 from Feb. have got it and now March already has 2? Is it a lottery going on there or what?

 

[spiritrac]

I am not saying that there is no need to be frustrated but if we would try to be a little more understanding and try to see things from an immigration officer's perspective hundreds of cases everyday, you are given several cases to handle and you get some that are straight forward and then some that are not, my case has been pending since Nov 26 when I sent it in, additional info was requested so it never got into process until December then after that Buffalo started processing I did the research both on the Buffalo site and the Port of Spain site both of them said that they would not respond to case specific inquiries until the posted time frames were met that tells me that I am not to be concerned with other people's processes because it may be different, who is handling the case the work load of the visa officer etc etc. I am speaking from a position of an Executive with a large firm a lot of things depend on the case load of the various officers handling each case the time it takes them to complete and on and on. Have you ever been to the Doctors office or the Hospital and notice that someone who came after you were completed before you?

 

[kayan]

I am not saying that there is no need to be frustrated but if we would try to be a little more understanding and try to see things from an immigration officer's perspective hundreds of cases everyday, you are given several cases to handle and you get some that are straight forward and then some that are not, my case has been pending since Nov 26 when I sent it in, additional info was requested so it never got into process until December then after that Buffalo started processing I did the research both on the Buffalo site and the Port of Spain site both of them said that they would not respond to case specific inquiries until the posted time frames were met that tells me that I am not to be concerned with other people's processes because it may be different, who is handling the case the work load of the visa officer etc etc. I am speaking from a position of an Executive with a large firm a lot of things depend on the case load of the various officers handling each case the time it takes them to complete and on and on. Have you ever been to the Doctors office or the Hospital and notice that someone who came after you were completed before you?

My question is, if they are so overloaded with work, why are they processing March applications when there are obviously Dec/Jan/Feb and even earlier applications still pending? Considering that most of us on the forum have not heard anything since the AORs a few months back and we are probably just a small percentage of ALL the applications that were submitted during those months, I think they should be very busy processing our applications instead of moving on. I am not even hoping for a PPR, I just want some sort of communication from them explaining the hold up.

 

[amaranth]

Not to dash anyone's hopes, but I'm starting to wonder if the people who send inquiries and received the "you're in process, now leave us alone" responses really ARE In Process, or if that's just a form letter type response from Buffalo now... I only wonder this because the people who actually ARE seeing movement are also seeing regular Ecas updates (In Process, Medical Received, etc.)

My husband (sponsor) is going to try calling our MP tomorrow, and I plan on drafting up an email to her with more detail about our case and the fact that so many others are in CIC limbo as well. Hopefully we get some sort of news before Parliament gets their nice LOOONG summer vacation.

This whole thing is beyond depressing now. :'(

 

[fizzlefunk]

My question is, if they are so overloaded with work, why are they processing March applications when there are obviously Dec/Jan/Feb and even earlier applications still pending? Considering that most of us on the forum have not heard anything since the AORs a few months back and we are probably just a small percentage of ALL the applications that were submitted during those months, I think they should be very busy processing our applications instead of moving on. I am not even hoping for a PPR, I just want some sort of communication from them explaining the hold up.

I'm a lucky Marcher, and I really feel for the Nov-Feb crowd who still haven't heard anything. I think this disconnect is thanks to the computer upgrade at Buffalo -- it feels like later applicants had the files opened in the new system and progressed through the new process, while earlier applicants were in the old process and need to migrated to the new system, adding delays. I would assume this suggests that the times will diminish greatly from the 11 month estimate on the CIC site, in the new system, but Nov-Feb would be the last bunch of folks under that timeframe.

Since Buffalo's responding and moving again, I suspect there will be a lot of positive news in the forthcoming days/weeks. I noted a lot of folks posting in this thread over the past week or so with the same dates -- June 7 change to in progress, June 20 PPR, etc. I think the tone of this thread will take a much happier tone soon for everyone!!

 

[spiritrac]

Fizzlefunk that's a great explanation to what has possibly happened in Buffalo sometimes I think this process can be taxing I do believe that they will catch up soon and the frustrations we are seeing on this forum will end, however, we still have to be mindful of the stated timelines for processing and that one of the files delayed can be ours, once we are aware of that we would celebrate when someone gets thru and hope that we would be next.

 

[avon]

I posted most of this from the December thread, but thought it would help the larger community help piece what this process looks like beneath the surface. Let me preface this by saying that I am not an immigration expert, and just a member like everyone here, but I found this helpful to me during this silence of not knowing what they are doing, and thought I would share what I learned from skilled workers from another thread. I can't vow for its authenticity, but background checks are required for all applicants, and I can't imagine that this part of the application would be any different. This is cut and paste from a number of different messages, but I thought it was helpful to me so I thought I would share. At least this way we know/think that there is stuff going on behind the surface, and this is what some of the stuff looks like. So "In Process" means all this stuff is happening.... If someone has more of an explanation, I would be very happy to hear and be corrected about what they have learned, and hopefully understand this process. Like spiritrac says this is me piecing things together, and conjecture but I found it helpful.

So if you were to get CAIPS notes from what I have read it would come back in the beginning with the following:

PSDEC 0
BDEC 0
OREQ 0
SELDEC 0
MEDDEC 0
FINDEC 0

However, "in process" would mean that background security checks have started. 'In Process' is an e-Cas status - which isn't updated/in sync with the VO's actions. It's maintained by a separate cell of the CIC & there'd be admin delays. From reading that thread, it appears that background, security checks can take 5-6 months from time of processing. I don't know whether they do things differently for family class vs. skilled workers.

If PSDEC and SELDEC are 1 on the same date, that means that has been assessed & found to be eligible for PR processing. Therefore, paper screening decision(PSDEC) and t-12 selection decision(seldec). For all of us in family class, this starts when in process starts. Now we just have to make sure that MEDEC - medicals received, and then there is BDEC which is done by the cic(I believe) for background check. OREQ which appears to be another type of security decision but stands for other requirements. SDEC which is the security decisions involving CSIS and CDEC which is the criminality decisions. Finally, it goes to FDEC which is final decision. And most of us here from what I understand will have PSDEC and SELDEC. From other posts, it appears that security checks take the time....

1. B/ground checks r done by the CIC alone, with the help of the 'local' VO staff.
2. For Security Checks - the help of CSIS is obtained.

The security checks procedure/timeframe/severity cannot be assessed as a basic standard. Much depends on the candidate's background, nationality, travel patterns, NASC database search, CSIS opinions, etc. Thus, no 2 cases could be same - even under similar timelines/conformity of Canadian residence.

So I guess, important timelines are when you started in process, and then count 3-5 months at least from that point. In December, because of computer problems, in process started later for our group. Other groups were using faster intake systems it appears from sparkle's worksheet. This should help give us some type of timeline, and background. I found this info helpful for explaining what the ..... is going on, and why my stuff seems to be delayed, and what to expect. In fact I would happy for anyone in our group that makes progress. I like many people have practical decisions to make and depend on historical precedent and the breakdown of 30% during 1st 5 months, 20% during months 6 and 7, and another 30% during months 8, 9, and 10. We are nowhere close to 50% done with the December applications, and this is month 6 or 7 by any count. These are rough approximations which have been referenced on a number of occasions.

Ok - I am sorry to cause a bit of controversy by my proposals. Maybe this is me being brought up as an american citizen. I would love to help get Buffalo get more resources either when I move, or earlier, and realize how difficult of a job these people have with very limited resources. I don't think Buffalo is to blame with 51 workers and thousands of applications. No one will know whether there is a problem or not if you don't let them know. I am sure that immigration officers are professional, and doing the best job they can. As politicians, their job is to make government better, help reunite families, and be responsive to their constituents needs. My intention is not to make life more difficult for Buffalo, but to try to give them the resources and political space to help address our needs. I would hate to be talking about this in the coming spring as this will affect many peoples' lives. The eleven month timeline was from last April to this March which is when the computer changes occurred. We shall see, I hope I am wrong but I suspect that for the December group we will be longer than 11 months based on the date people are saying when "in process" started because it has to go through the security clearances from different agencies. I would be very happy to eat crow and be wrong...

 

[kayan]

I hope you are wrong since we did not even get an in process yet I think the more recent PPRs came just a few weeks after getting in process. There is probably a discrepancy between when they actually start processing the application and when they notify you that they are processing it.

 

[buffalo-toronto]

I emailed last week saying that I need to change address, please give me file #. It worked for some, I got 1st response today, typical standard response....it takes 30 weeks bla bla. The recalled that email and sent a standard response again....we r creating files recvd by 16th Feb.

After reading both emails, I was like...I wish I could just shoot an email blasting them about their process and feb and march applicants getting thru with PPRs but unfortunately I cant do that .

Spiritrac....I agree and get your point, my problem is not with IO but the system, IO should be given a file as and when its rcvd in Buffalo. I guess an IO is given a set of 100 files and then it depends on him how fast or slow he gets through them.

 

[chinook65]

Chinook! I was panicked when I read this thread because I thought you had beaten me!!! I got an email this morning saying "Your application is in process. No further action on your part is needed at this time." They also suggested that I keep my correspondence to a minimum....LOL I guess we are sending too many emails from this forum!

I am so excited!
You should be next!
Have a great day!
JM

Funny! Did you send Buffalo an email and ask about your status? Or did you just receive the email out of the blue?

 

[spiritrac]

Hi Friends.. Finally paid the RPRF today, I faxed a copy to both Mississauga and Buffalo and sent a case specific inquiry to Buffalo with the receipt as an attachment they had requested it by August 21, have to mail the hard copy to our consultant but I also faxed and email them with the receipt thats the end of what they are requesting. hopefully next thing will be PPR

 

[spiritrac]

I just saw this on the Buffalo website hope it helps

Canadian postal strike - Guidelines for persons who reside in Canada and have sent passports and applications to this office

If you have an urgent need for the return of your passport(s) during the postal strike, we strongly suggest you use UPS courier services. You will have to prepay all shipping and Customs charges in both directions by using a UPS billing account number. Courier envelopes and waybills without a UPS account number will be refused and returned to you.

Go on line at www.ups.com to register as a UPS shipper and to obtain a UPS billing account number.
Once you have registered, use your account to create and print a return UPS shipping label with your street address on it. (Courier companies cannot deliver to Post Office Box addresses.)
Obtain a UPS Courier envelope and print a shipping label from your www.ups.com account, addressed to :

Visa Section
Consulate General of Canada
3000 HSBC Center
Buffalo, New York USA 14203

Make a note of the tracking numbers on the envelope and the label so that you can track both delivery and return.

Include in the envelope
(a) the self-addressed label
(b) a cover letter with the full names and dates of birth of your family members included in your application, passport numbers (if you have these available), and the date and method by which you sent your application to the Buffalo office.

We will return your passport(s) as promptly as possible, using the return label which you have provided.
If we have not begun processing your application when we receive your request, we will return your passports without new visas issued and refund your processing fee in full.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: We have recently installed a new computer system in all US offices. As a result, applications are taking longer than usual to process. If you wish to apply for a temporary resident visa, work permit or study permit, we encourage you to submit your application by mail and to ensure that you fill in and validate the forms found on our website . We can only process applications which are submitted with all required forms and all questions answered. Incomplete applications and those which have not been validated online will be returned to you. We recommend that you apply at least 3 months in advance of your planned travel. Thank you for your understanding.

 

[fizzlefunk]

Just a side note -- it is a big pain in the *** to get a UPS billing account Still waiting on mine to be finalized in their system (no it's not automated) so I can send my passport off. Another forum member said he sent his off with a return waybill created using a UPS store's account, but I'm too cautious to even take the slightest risk that the UPS store might screw something up -_-