Thread for outland Buffalo applicants!

[ddobro2]

Hi Sparkle! I just clicked on your spreadsheet and noticed you added me to it - thanks (by the way, my application was received May 4 - I think is what I added to my signature)! Sorry if I missed this explanation somewhere but I was wondering what the legend for the color coding is. Also, not to make your life more difficult with this (you know I appreciate having something like this available), but is there an easy way to mark which of us are dealing with Quebec and thus the CSQ (I think that since Quebec has it's own spin on the process and since this affects the timeline, it would be important). Hope all is well.

 

[puzzle69]

So, not being able to contact anyone by phone or e-mail in Buffalo, and not being able to call CIC from the U.S., we went ahead and repaid my son's PR application fee online. We also sent Mississauga a copy of the receipt and a long cover letter explaining our situation (that my son's fee was refunded, but we then were told he can't apply for proof of citizenship card because he's adopted). We asked them to forward the info to Buffalo. My application has been received in Buffalo but not yet in process. I'm hoping this will all be resolved before they start with my IA.

I know what you mean Sparkle. We did everything correctly, but were incorrectly told by the CIC that my son was citizenship eligilble. Now we are literally paying for it by having to shell out more money and having a possible delay to contend with....So frustrating......

 

[clarkie0620]

Such a snooze fest this is
I don't understand why Buffalo is sooo damn slow with everything ! I know they have this new computerized system and all that, but this is just so frustrating

Sparkle, I know!! this is beyond frustrating now!! my application was transferred to LA from buffalo but still no word not even from LA....im so sick of this whole thing too......the waiting is making me go crazy!!

 

[Love-Buf-Wings]

Such a snooze fest this is
I don't understand why Buffalo is sooo damn slow with everything ! I know they have this new computerized system and all that, but this is just so frustrating
_________________________________________________________________

Hi Sparkle, I remember, our stories are identical. Believe me, I know how frustrating it is to have to travel back and forth on weekends and be separated by a border. It'll be a year in a couple of months since my husband and I have been married as well and we have been commuting nearly two years now. So hang in there my dear -hopefully, the time will go by fast. Lol, I'm relying on the time to pass faster than the Visa Office staff. Sad!

 

[mala16]

Sparkle,

I would like for us to be added to your spreadsheet (which is very impressive!)
Application sent to Mississauga 4-28-11
Application received in Mississauga 4-29-11

Thanks!
Best of luck to everyone!

 

[JimM]

Such a snooze fest this is
I don't understand why Buffalo is sooo damn slow with everything ! I know they have this new computerized system and all that, but this is just so frustrating
_________________________________________________________________

Hi Sparkle, I remember, our stories are identical. Believe me, I know how frustrating it is to have to travel back and forth on weekends and be separated by a border. It'll be a year in a couple of months since my husband and I have been married as well and we have been commuting nearly two years now. So hang in there my dear -hopefully, the time will go by fast. Lol, I'm relying on the time to pass faster than the Visa Office staff. Sad!

Be thankful you can do weekend trips.

Buffalo NY to Estevan SK is a bit far for us to do that

 

[Stumpedmom]

I agree JimM

I am on SW Ontario and hubs is in Arizona....too far for a weekend trip :'(

 

[jayde]

I have a quick question...

My husband just went back to the States after a 2.5 week stay... and it is just killing us right now to be apart. We've looked at our financials and determined that it is feasible for him to come here and wait out the application. I know that he can only be here for 6 months, and has to show that he'd go back to the states if his PR is denied, so my question is...

Can he bring his stuff? Can we import his car? Does he have to put all his furniture etc in storage until the application is approved and he can land?

We're looking at 1.5-2 months for him to wrap up things in the states and drive up here (from Indy to Alberta OUCH). The plan before was to U-Haul it once his PR was approved, and I guess what I'm asking is, can he bring everything? He has every intention of following the letter of the law, he'd go back to the States if he has to, he's even going to try to get a Leave of Absence from his work if they'll allow it so that he has a job to go back to if the PR is denied. I'd just hate for him to have to leave everything behind.

Also... if he does come up here, can we change his address to my address for them to send all the info from Buffalo? Or does he need to provide a US address?


Ok... so maybe it wasn't a "quick question" lol...
Thanks so much.

 

[Stumpedmom]

No he can't bring everything up...We are in the same boat, that we can make it for the next few months for processing times. The awful part is...bringing all his stuff, mind you he does not have too much...so we can fit it in his car...maybe just maybe Jayde that withing that 2 months we will atleast be in process or have that PPR for us both!!!

 

[jayde]

No he can't bring everything up...We are in the same boat, that we can make it for the next few months for processing times. The awful part is...bringing all his stuff, mind you he does not have too much...so we can fit it in his car...maybe just maybe Jayde that withing that 2 months we will atleast be in process or have that PPR for us both!!!

Oh I sure hope so! I'm crossing my fingers for you too!! I just don't want to wait anymore.. .I know it's relatively short if you look at our timeline, but we waited quite a while before applying because we kept having roadblocks that would have thrown up red flags in the process, i.e. I was on temporary disability but close to being able to work so I knew there was a transition point where I'd be receiving assistance but not "technically" on disability any longer... then it took forever to get my option C printout because the mail in my city is just stupid... things like that. Oh... plus we ordered his first FBI check... not realizing it had to be within a certain timeframe, and when we got the second ones done, they came with his phone number where his social security number was supposed to be!!!

ANYWAY...

Just want him here... don't care if we have to make our finances work on one income, don't care if we have to store his stuff for months, I just want him here. I feel cheated out of my first year of marriage... and I'm tired of having to say goodnight on the phone. I miss my husband. It took me a lifetime to find him...
I'm sorry but the first few weeks after he leaves are terribly hard... and I think right now I'm struggling and having a hard time with the "be happy, you're lucky to have found him" mantra that I chant to myself daily and often hourly.

so... if we can't bring up his stuff, that's fine. Can we change his address with Buffalo though?

And once the 6 months is up... can he drive back over the border and then come back for another 6 months? Or does he have to go back for a specific amount of time?

Thanks guys... sorry for the rant

 

[Stumpedmom]

Jayde...check ur inbox....

 

[ddobro2]

Aw, that is really sweet. If you want to be together while you wait it out, no matter what, maybe just have him keep his stuff with someone and periodically mail it "general delivery" to the closest USPS office to your Canadian town. Then he can come from Canada with a non-imported car and pick up stuff he needs periodically. I doubt this would get him in trouble at the border. In any case, an American has the right to be in Canada for 6 months before needing a visa to remain longer.

Oh I sure hope so! I'm crossing my fingers for you too!! I just don't want to wait anymore.. .I know it's relatively short if you look at our timeline, but we waited quite a while before applying because we kept having roadblocks that would have thrown up red flags in the process, i.e. I was on temporary disability but close to being able to work so I knew there was a transition point where I'd be receiving assistance but not "technically" on disability any longer... then it took forever to get my option C printout because the mail in my city is just stupid... things like that. Oh... plus we ordered his first FBI check... not realizing it had to be within a certain timeframe, and when we got the second ones done, they came with his phone number where his social security number was supposed to be!!!

ANYWAY...

Just want him here... don't care if we have to make our finances work on one income, don't care if we have to store his stuff for months, I just want him here. I feel cheated out of my first year of marriage... and I'm tired of having to say goodnight on the phone. I miss my husband. It took me a lifetime to find him...
I'm sorry but the first few weeks after he leaves are terribly hard... and I think right now I'm struggling and having a hard time with the "be happy, you're lucky to have found him" mantra that I chant to myself daily and often hourly.

so... if we can't bring up his stuff, that's fine. Can we change his address with Buffalo though?

And once the 6 months is up... can he drive back over the border and then come back for another 6 months? Or does he have to go back for a specific amount of time?

Thanks guys... sorry for the rant

 

[Rinnerz]

In any case, an American has the right to be in Canada for 6 months before needing a visa to remain longer.

Nope. No one has the RIGHT to be in Canada at all, if they are not citizens or permanent residents. You can very easily NOT be given the full allowable 6 months duration at the border. Depending on the circumstances and the officer you get (and even, often, the officer's mood), you could get anything from months to... nothing, and be turned back. Being allowed in as a temporary visitor is considered a privilege at best, not a right. If you approach your dealings with immigration officers at the border as if you are entitled to being let in, just because you're American, you can run into problems.

 

[ddobro2]

Thanks for the clarification, Rinnerz. I think this was a bad choice of words on my part, but what I meant to convey was that American citizens are normally granted the 6 months. My husband, who's Canadian, has always been going around saying "they have the right" so I think I picked it up from him. But no, I didn't mean to imply that one is entitled to anything in terms of dealings with a sovereign country just by way of being American.

 

[scylla]

Nope. No one has the RIGHT to be in Canada at all, if they are not citizens or permanent residents. You can very easily NOT be given the full allowable 6 months duration at the border. Depending on the circumstances and the officer you get (and even, often, the officer's mood), you could get anything from months to... nothing, and be turned back. Being allowed in as a temporary visitor is considered a privilege at best, not a right. If you approach your dealings with immigration officers at the border as if you are entitled to being let in, just because you're American, you can run into problems.

Agreed. And to add - in addition to being denied entry, Americans can also be banned from entering Canada for a year. Many people aren't aware of this. But it can and does happen.

A few people on this board have been slapped with one year bans. And no - they didn't have criminal records. They were just trying to cross the border to spend time with their significant others.