Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[Quince777]

yes, it's normal

Even abnormal things are all "normal" with this immigration

 

[ddobro2]

indeed

Even abnormal things are all "normal" with this immigration

 

[ddobro2]

That is what the second part is.I just talked to my friend in immigration and she said it is basicaly the security part.They check to make sure your not dangerous to Canada basicaly not a threat like a terrorist or anything dumb like that.

Calgary-Bound, I ran across a posting by 0jenifer0 elsewhere on the forum that seems to really explain the background check process in explicit detail. Whether this person works or worked for CIC or somehow learned this information from them through her own case, it's pretty informative even if Buffalo might not follow the procedure outlined to the same degree.

Background & Security Checks

Note: Our Background Check comprises of 2 parts:

1. The Standard Documentation Checks,

2. The Security & Criminality Checks.


Standard Documentation Checks:
Our background check is done at the CHC stage. It commences the moment our file gets the 1st BFD by the VO. An indicator of which is the e-CAS that shows "In Progress". All docs been checked & our NOC being tallied against the MI, if the VO finds our case 'eligible' for Canadian PR, the file becomes 'Accepted'; and then it goes for standard background checks, viz. Exp, Quals, Adaptability, Qualitative Considerations etc.

The process involves many things. If our case file is well presented and the enclosures vouch the quality-quantity, adequate POF docs etc., there might not be a requirement of 'actually' calling the employers, references etc. The VOs have a way with that, they are experienced enough to ascertain the logical disposition of our case. But, if there are any concerns of his/her, s/he is likely to ask for additional docs, do further scrutiny vide any means [calling, visiting etc.] & might ask for an Interview.


-Culmination: When 'fully' satisfied, we get the 'Medical Request'.

-Timeframe: Can be anything around 3-8* months, for the 'fast track' system (Avg. 4-5 months).

-eCAS: Continues to Show 'In Process'.
*The older system has a queue, thus can be longer.


Security & Criminality Checks:
A part of the b/ground checks is the 'Security Check'. It commences after our med results are submitted to the CHC. This is a major activity -mainly concerning our 'safe inclusion' into the Canadian Soil; vis-a-vis, Political, Socio-Econmical, Anti-Social disposition, perceived Threat to Canada's integrity etc. This gets us the SDEC, CDEC & SECCRIM.

This is a serious & time-consuming stage, involving many agencies, including CSIS, Interpol, NASC, Database Checking & touch-base with Local Police. Many things are considered here... the No. of countries visited, Applicant coming from 'certain' countries, ex-Servicemen [including Law Enforcement services], Prolonged stay in a country w/out sufficient docs to prove cause, frequent traveling to certain nations, your *Name (?), Inter-Religion/Nationality Marriages etc.

If everything is simple & straight, the file soon gets into the 'final review' stage. If there are any 'red flags', our case goes into a 'spin'. Then our file might go to the local Police/CID agencies; the outcome/timeframe of which is beyond the control of CIC. And thereby the timeframe can be anything [sometimes beyond 1yr]. But, usually this stage should be over by 5 months max. However, a point to be noted is that we can also be called for an Interview [at this stage], due to this reason.


-Culmination: Only upon security clearance we receive the PPR.

-Timeframe: Around 2-6 months. Avg. 3 months. [With new system, sometimes PPR is clubbed with Meds]

-eCAS: Still 'In Process', but 'Med Results Recd.' inside.

*Yes, that's how a certain Mr. Sharukh Khan was detained for 4.5 hrs in an US port. He was a VIP, thus 4.5 hrs. For u & me -things could be different.



The Process in a Nutshell:


Stage-1: [CIO stage] Send Initial Apps+Processing Fees to CIO-NS > Qualitative Check > Issue of AOR+120 days Letter >

Stage-2: [CHC stage onwards] Send Full Docs+RPRF to the Local Visa Office > File on Queue >

e-Cas: "Received by Visa Office" > Eligibility Check+PSDEC > Issue of 2nd AOR > Background Check > Issue of Additional docs Request [if any] > 1st BF'D >

e-Cas: "In Process" > Send Addnl. Docs > Issue of Med Request > 2nd BF'D >

Stage-3: Meds Sent > e-Cas: "Medical Results Recd." > Issue of PPR* > Send Passport/s > Security Check > Visa/s Stamped >
e-Cas: "Decision Made" >
*The Meds & PPR are sometimes 'clubbed' together.

Stage-4: Return of 'Stamped' Passport/s+COPR > Landing at the POE >

e-Cas: "Completed".

 

[Quince777]

It's a very detailed explanation of background check, step-by-step. Thanks for finding out this info for us!

 

[ddobro2]

Yep, it was actually someone from the Damascus thread that cited it. They take this stuff real serious at the Damascus thread, obviously I love how the explanation found a way to include Shahrukh Khan though.

It's a very detailed explanation of background check, step-by-step. Thanks for finding out this info for us!

 

[Quince777]

Ddobro, it was posted on this topic, not Damascus: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/back-ground-check-t92932.0.html;msg1207921#msg1207921
The person who posted it seems to be from Phillipines. I find some Phillipine people are very well connected among themselves and having some important cic info.

 

[Newbie1234]

Hi all,

I need to fax the receipt for landing fee. Do you have fax number for Buffalo. Our application was submitted in August. Do you think we will have interview?

Let me know

 

[ddobro2]

I know, I saw the original after someone from the Damascus thread had quoted it. Lol, are they really now? I should make friends. Well I think the top immigration source for Canada is the Philippines so maybe that's got something to do with it.

Ddobro, it was posted on this topic, not Damascus: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/back-ground-check-t92932.0.html;msg1207921#msg1207921
The person who posted it seems to be from Phillipines. I find some Phillipine people are very well connected among themselves and having some important cic info.

 

[ddobro2]

fax is (716) 852-2477 but I recommend sending CPC-M a copy as well.

Hi all,

I need to fax the receipt for landing fee. Do you have fax number for Buffalo. Our application was submitted in August. Do you think we will have interview?

Let me know

 

[ddobro2]

So, in response to my inquiry sent Dec. 30 saying that I'd love to know what is preventing my criminality assessment from being completed and the security assessment from being commenced (per what was shown on my last batch of GCMS notes, plus the fact that the incoming communications part of the notes said they got a copy of the CSQ but in another part of the notes it said, "CSQ outstanding".................................................I just got a response from the email address corresponding to the non-F off Dept. saying, "Your file has been put in the que for the officer to assess." So chances are I'm "queue"d up behind someone from July. : Ah God, how much longer?

 

[Calgary-Bound]

So, in response to my inquiry sent Dec. 30 saying that I'd love to know what is preventing my criminality assessment from being completed and the security assessment from being commenced (per what was shown on my last batch of GCMS notes, plus the fact that the incoming communications part of the notes said they got a copy of the CSQ but in another part of the notes it said, "CSQ outstanding".................................................I just got a response from the email address corresponding to the non-F off Dept. saying, "Your file has been put in the que for the officer to assess." So chances are I'm "queue"d up behind someone from July. : Ah God, how much longer?
[/quote

What a F'N joke.They need to get there heads out of there you know what and get the older apps done.So from what you posted earlier It can take anywhere from 2-6 months for security and criminality check.So basicaly I have most likely 6 more months before they finish part 2 of my background check the way things are going.

 

[ddobro2]

Even something as specific and official looking as what I posted provided by the OP, I'm gonna take it with a grain of salt knowing Buffalo and until we can do that trick where we turn into flies on the wall in the Buffalo consulate immigration division office as americaninquebec said.

Examples?

1) That post said the first part, the "standard documentation check," "commences the moment our file gets the 1st BFD by the VO." Um, I'm not sure, because not everyone gets a Bring Forward Date.

2) Then it says: "Culmination: When 'fully' satisfied, we get the 'Medical Request'." No, not always, because in my case and in many others', Buffalo began file assessment with the medical assessment, not the security.

3) And then finally the post says that part 1, the "standard documentation check" could be as short as 3 months and part 2, as short as 2 months. It also says, "With new system, sometimes PPR is clubbed with Meds." Well, I don't know what that last bit means exactly but I can tell you that when there's people going through the WHOLE process - not one part of the background check, not both parts of the background check, but the WHOLE process including medicals assessment, relationship assessment, the cost recovery and everything else they have to do - in 2 months or what would be the minimum timeframe for doing just one of these portions of the background check.........I can tell you that that doesn't jive with what we read in that post AT ALL. That one might be the biggest grain of salt of all.

So, in response to my inquiry sent Dec. 30 saying that I'd love to know what is preventing my criminality assessment from being completed and the security assessment from being commenced (per what was shown on my last batch of GCMS notes, plus the fact that the incoming communications part of the notes said they got a copy of the CSQ but in another part of the notes it said, "CSQ outstanding".................................................I just got a response from the email address corresponding to the non-F off Dept. saying, "Your file has been put in the que for the officer to assess." So chances are I'm "queue"d up behind someone from July. : Ah God, how much longer?
[/quote

What a F'N joke.They need to get there heads out of there you know what and get the older apps done.So from what you posted earlier It can take anywhere from 2-6 months for security and criminality check.So basicaly I have most likely 6 more months before they finish part 2 of my background check the way things are going.

 

[Quince777]

Ddobro, at the time you were submitting your papers did you submit the form with bar codes? When exactly were those forms introduced?

 

[ddobro2]

Which form with bar codes? You mean the receipt that was displayed after online fees were paid?

Ddobro, at the time you were submitting your papers did you submit the form with bar codes? When exactly were those forms introduced?

 

[Quince777]

Which form with bar codes? You mean the receipt that was displayed after online fees were paid?

I had to look at my photocopies to find out. It's IMM 0008 form.