Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[AmericaninQuebec]

I think I've asked them for a file number about six weeks ago. I never did get a response, though. I guess it's still a waiting game for me at this point.

Try contacting them again via email. I tried contacting them in July and never got a response, which is why I ended up going to see the local MP with my husband. I emailed again a couple of weeks ago, to try and get more info and maybe trigger some movement on my file. This time they actually wrote back about a week later with my file number (I never received an AOR with it even though e-cas says my file has been received and is in process). I think maybe they were so backlogged over the summer that they weren't responding to emails at all. You should at least be able to get your file number if you email them with your info and ask for it.

Also, I feel you on the being discouraged part. They've had my file since March 31, 2011 and haven't updated my e-cas since July 13th. Requested my GCMS notes last week, but apparently that also takes a good month to be sent. I need a serious hobby to distract me from all of this.

 

[ddobro2]

1) Did you give them any identifying information in your email, such as your Client ID, the name of the principal applicant, or the date they received the file from CPCM? It is not a problem to get an AOR out of Buffalo, it's after they give that to you that you can't get anything else out of them. They are technically required by their own overseas processing guidelines to issue one. I applied the same time as you and contacted them asking for my B/F file numbers, giving them my Client ID, and in response got my AOR. What happens after you send out the email is you get a confirmation email within seconds, then you should get an actual response the same day or within a few days.

2) E-cas is essentially useless, as me and others have already said.

3) Even though the GCMS notes form does ask for a file number, I think that you could still provide something else (such as the Kit ID, which was on the sponsorship approval letter) and the ATIP office would be able to locate you in GCMS. It might cause a bit of delay in getting the notes back, but I'm sure if you explain on the form that you do not have your file number available to you, they would try to work with what you gave them.

I think I've asked them for a file number about six weeks ago. I never did get a response, though. I guess it's still a waiting game for me at this point.

 

[ddobro2]

Totally random (varies).

hi all,

i am a june outland buffalo person and just saw on ecas that my permanent residency app is finally in process as of oct. 26. pardon if this question has already been asked and answered, but is there any kind of general time frame from date of in process to ppr or is it totally random. just wondering if the in process process will be a week or two or if it will drag on another month or longer! just getting ready for this to all be done!

any thoughts/info would be appreciated.

thanks!

 

[ddobro2]

They told you one thing over the phone, the opposite in person, and instead of being apologetic about misinforming you earlier they were actually rude? Wow, typical government :

When I called Drive Test they said the same thing and that I didn't need any letters or a record from my state, however upon visiting my local office they said that I did and were really not nice about it.

 

[Bargeld]

Hi Bargeld,

Lucky you! Where in Ontario are you? When I called Drive Test they said the same thing and that I didn't need any letters or a record from my state, however upon visiting my local office they said that I did and were really not nice about it. I can still exchange my DL with no tests as long as I get that really specific document that nobody can seem to be able to put together for me. Somebody suggested I contact my MP about it; I am really considering that at this point.

Brampton. Was DriveTest able to pull up your DMV records on their system? And are you from California?

 

[mjh49783aa]

Okay. I've just emailed them again a few minutes ago with my Client ID, along with many other important tidbits of information regarding my wife and I. I'm pretty sure I've done all this before, but now that I'm thinking of it, maybe I'm not so sure I was as specific. If it works this time, then there's no worries for at least a little while longer.

As for getting a confirmation email, I don't remember getting one the first time I emailed Buffalo. This time I did. (whew!)

1) Did you give them any identifying information in your email, such as your Client ID, the name of the principal applicant, or the date they received the file from CPCM? It is not a problem to get an AOR out of Buffalo, it's after they give that to you that you can't get anything else out of them. They are technically required by their own overseas processing guidelines to issue one. I applied the same time as you and contacted them asking for my B/F file numbers, giving them my Client ID, and in response got my AOR. What happens after you send out the email is you get a confirmation email within seconds, then you should get an actual response the same day or within a few days.

2) E-cas is essentially useless, as me and others have already said.

3) Even though the GCMS notes form does ask for a file number, I think that you could still provide something else (such as the Kit ID, which was on the sponsorship approval letter) and the ATIP office would be able to locate you in GCMS. It might cause a bit of delay in getting the notes back, but I'm sure if you explain on the form that you do not have your file number available to you, they would try to work with what you gave them.

Try contacting them again via email. I tried contacting them in July and never got a response, which is why I ended up going to see the local MP with my husband. I emailed again a couple of weeks ago, to try and get more info and maybe trigger some movement on my file. This time they actually wrote back about a week later with my file number (I never received an AOR with it even though e-cas says my file has been received and is in process). I think maybe they were so backlogged over the summer that they weren't responding to emails at all. You should at least be able to get your file number if you email them with your info and ask for it.

Also, I feel you on the being discouraged part. They've had my file since March 31, 2011 and haven't updated my e-cas since July 13th. Requested my GCMS notes last week, but apparently that also takes a good month to be sent. I need a serious hobby to distract me from all of this.

 

[francohoosier]

Justed called and found out I can only export my car M-F. The way my schedule works out, I have to land on a Sunday. Balls. I am not anxious for a second, unnecessary trip to the border... I remember someone on here said they had done this as well though - landed and declared their car in "goods to follow." But can I drive the car in before it's exported/imported? ???

 

[AllisonVSC]

Justed called and found out I can only export my car M-F. The way my schedule works out, I have to land on a Sunday. Balls. I am not anxious for a second, unnecessary trip to the border... I remember someone on here said they had done this as well though - landed and declared their car in "goods to follow." But can I drive the car in before it's exported/imported? ???

That was probably me. But my car was already here when I landed and I drove my partner's car to Buffalo that day. Then I imported my goods (again car was still in Canada) while driving a u-haul truck. So neither time did I attempt to cross without importing. I have heard on the forum at least one person say that they were "required" to import their car on the day that they landed. Since you are landing on Sunday (and exportation from the US is supposed to be required for import) they *may* let you import later, but you never can predict. Might want to try calling the border where you plan on crossing and see what they say.

 

[Bargeld]

Justed called and found out I can only export my car M-F. The way my schedule works out, I have to land on a Sunday. Balls. I am not anxious for a second, unnecessary trip to the border... I remember someone on here said they had done this as well though - landed and declared their car in "goods to follow." But can I drive the car in before it's exported/imported? ???

I would suggest temporarily keeping it in the states if you have to, and add it to goods to follow. I'm not too sure what they would do if you drove the vehicle across you intended to import when you landed, regardless of whether it was on the "to follow" or in possession form. Another potentially risky one is driving your car in before landing, perhaps changing cars, then coming back again with a different vehicle to land and submitting with goods to follow list, driven by somebody else, or some other mode of transportation, so the car is already inside Canada. I haven't heard much of anyone else with this sort of experience, I hope you can manage this safely. If I was in this situation I would do what some would caution, which is simply call ahead of time and ask the CBSA myself, being honest. Saying hey, I need the car to drive around, just as I would if I were a visitor or using my sibling/parent/kid/spouse's car, can I do the formalities later when I can afford it? Given there's a time span upon which you can legally do this concerning any goods to follow, possibly different rules governing a vehicle to follow, there might be a chance. If you don't feel comfortable with the latter, I would personally go with what I suggested in the very first sentence and go with the much higher chances in your favour.

 

[TryingToGetHome]

Justed called and found out I can only export my car M-F. The way my schedule works out, I have to land on a Sunday. Balls. I am not anxious for a second, unnecessary trip to the border... I remember someone on here said they had done this as well though - landed and declared their car in "goods to follow." But can I drive the car in before it's exported/imported? ???

I drove up my car from Missouri and entered as a visitor on a 12-month visitor record at the border. They asked me if I wanted to import my car at the time and I said no. They said it was fine as long as I had insurance in the US that covered me while I drove in Canada. Also, I was the only person allowed to drive the vehicle (legally) so if anyone else drives it, they could get a ticket or fine if caught. I'm pretty sure you can import later, especially if they can't process it the day you cross the border.

 

[francohoosier]

I did some more calling around. CBSA said that because my intent at the border is to become a PR, there's no way I can drive the car in without importing it, since I won't have any legal obligation to leave Canada once I enter, which I can understand. I'm either going to have to fudge our schedule so we land early Monday morning before work (though I'm not a fan of insomnia) or we'll have to find another border that does have 24/7 exporting. *Sigh* Just when you think the nightmare is over...

I can't not import the car at the same time as I land because all my goods that are landing with me will be in it! And my husband himself never got his license since he grew up in Montréal and never needed it to get around.

 

[TryingToGetHome]

My sweet baby boy turns 8 months old today, I have renewed faith in the medical system here since I'm finally seeing a high risk doctor for my pregnancy tomorrow, and .... I got my PPR EMAIL TODAY!!!! It's a good day. ;D

I'm the biggest mess right now, I'm not usually a crier, but damn pregnancy hormones - seriously, even a crying teething baby isn't ruining this sloppy high!! We're just rocking out to Taylor Swift crying together - it seemed appropriate since she likes to cry too.

 

[mcmasters]

The hubs did the absolute best thing and contacted his MP's office. He's been in contact with Mandy Ling, who said she would contact the CIC on our behalf to check on the status of our application. She's been responding within a humane time frame, so that's a relief. Hopefully she'll come back and say, "Oh yes, your PPR is on the way!" ;D

In the meantime, hubs and I filled out the forms for the GCMS notes request and he mailed them today (well, I'm assuming he did ). So if nothing else, we should get some more info in the beginning of December. If we get the PPR before the GCMS notes arrive, I guess we can just add them to our scrapbook, ha ha.

Feeling hopeful and positive. Sending out good vibes to all other applicants awaiting PPRs and other notifications of progress!

-Maddy

 

[Bargeld]

I did some more calling around. CBSA said that because my intent at the border is to become a PR, there's no way I can drive the car in without importing it, since I won't have any legal obligation to leave Canada once I enter, which I can understand. I'm either going to have to fudge our schedule so we land early Monday morning before work (though I'm not a fan of insomnia) or we'll have to find another border that does have 24/7 exporting. *Sigh* Just when you think the nightmare is over...

I can't not import the car at the same time as I land because all my goods that are landing with me will be in it! And my husband himself never got his license since he grew up in Montréal and never needed it to get around.

Yeah it's not gonna be the most convenient thing but finding a 24/7 one, making sure you have the funds and means to more immediately get all of the import requirements done ASAP before landing, but in the end it might be better.

My sweet baby boy turns 8 months old today, I have renewed faith in the medical system here since I'm finally seeing a high risk doctor for my pregnancy tomorrow, and .... I got my PPR EMAIL TODAY!!!! It's a good day. ;D

I'm the biggest mess right now, I'm not usually a crier, but damn pregnancy hormones - seriously, even a crying teething baby isn't ruining this sloppy high!! We're just rocking out to Taylor Swift crying together - it seemed appropriate since she likes to cry too.

Congrats on the PPR! And I feel for you on the baby thing. I'm a severely ADHD person trying to manage a baby waking up every 2-4 hours and handling her while not doing some sort of activity that involves moving around. Having to stay still while putting her to sleep for nearly an hour oft times is torture for someone like me, and I can't make my wife do all the work as that doesn't seem right. It's a tough time occasionally that one just has to get through.

The hubs did the absolute best thing and contacted his MP's office. He's been in contact with Mandy Ling, who said she would contact the CIC on our behalf to check on the status of our application. She's been responding within a humane time frame, so that's a relief. Hopefully she'll come back and say, "Oh yes, your PPR is on the way!" ;D

In the meantime, hubs and I filled out the forms for the GCMS notes request and he mailed them today (well, I'm assuming he did ). So if nothing else, we should get some more info in the beginning of December. If we get the PPR before the GCMS notes arrive, I guess we can just add them to our scrapbook, ha ha.

Feeling hopeful and positive. Sending out good vibes to all other applicants awaiting PPRs and other notifications of progress!

-Maddy

Good luck and best wishes for a PPR asap!

 

[ddobro2]

Wow, an 8 month old and one on the way! And a visa on the way too, apparently. Congrats! I was just wondering why we haven't heard any PPRs this week

My sweet baby boy turns 8 months old today, I have renewed faith in the medical system here since I'm finally seeing a high risk doctor for my pregnancy tomorrow, and .... I got my PPR EMAIL TODAY!!!! It's a good day. ;D

I'm the biggest mess right now, I'm not usually a crier, but damn pregnancy hormones - seriously, even a crying teething baby isn't ruining this sloppy high!! We're just rocking out to Taylor Swift crying together - it seemed appropriate since she likes to cry too.