Thread for Outland LONDON, UK Applications!

[Dubrider]

I start working tomorrow. Part time in Home Depot, so it isn't much really, but it's certainly better than nothing. Hopefully things will fall into place in the coming months...

It looks like London's come to a standstill, not seeing many DMs recently. Are they actually on strike for real there? I'm not aware of the finer details behind the dispute, but it really is sad that the ultimate casualty in all of this is the families left in the lurch waiting to be reunited...

From an outsider's viewpoint, I think you've made the right decision booking a ticket, Scottishmaple. Enough's enough and I certainly wouldn't be able to show the level of patience that you have. Here's to hoping for a decision soon...

Oh, 2 months and 1 day since landing. Where's my damn PR card?! :

I had sent London an email earlier in the month, not a case specific enquiry but just a reply to an email. I got a reply yesterday so some kind of productivity at least is happening there

 

[erinmcc174]

Welcome!

If you look for "Sweden" and scottishmaple they have links in their signatures to some files that may have the info you're looking for. As for the average timeline at the moment it's all over the place. A few people from January have been approved already this year, while some from last year (like yours truly) are still waiting.

Also, there's the whole strike fiasco at the moment so further delays are to be expected. I believe 6 months is about the total average but it's a wildly moving target right now!

thanks for the feedback! I had no idea there was a strike until i read it on here! I'm just in a bit of a tough situation right now as I'm currently on my second IEC visa and it expires in September so there is a huge chance I wont have my visa by then so I am starting to worry. I have a really good job which I don't want to lose so I spoke to my employer and they have kindly helped me out. The advised me they will do the PNP program for me so basically they will nominate me and if i get accepted I will then be able to apply for a work permit which should see me over until my application comes through. Only downside it that program costs $550 so I'll have to pay that in addition to what I've already spent on my visa...as well as all the extra paperwork which will be a pain.

I guess thats the only thing I can do to ensure i can still work!

Has anyone else done something similar?

 

[Dubrider]

thanks for the feedback! I had no idea there was a strike until i read it on here! I'm just in a bit of a tough situation right now as I'm currently on my second IEC visa and it expires in September so there is a huge chance I wont have my visa by then so I am starting to worry. I have a really good job which I don't want to lose so I spoke to my employer and they have kindly helped me out. The advised me they will do the PNP program for me so basically they will nominate me and if i get accepted I will then be able to apply for a work permit which should see me over until my application comes through. Only downside it that program costs $550 so I'll have to pay that in addition to what I've already spent on my visa...as well as all the extra paperwork which will be a pain.

I guess thats the only thing I can do to ensure i can still work!

Has anyone else done something similar?

I was in the exact same position as you. Though I was on my first IEC permit.

I went through the PNP program and was nominated as a skilled worker and now have my PR application in process with London.

The $550 is the initial cost for your PR application, there are various charges along the way. Medicals cost me $370 and RPRF was $590 I believe. And that doesn't take into account, as you mentioned, the endless paperwork, expedited shipping charges for mailout etc...

If you have any questions feel free to message me

 

[erinmcc174]

I was in the exact same position as you. Though I was on my first IEC permit.

I went through the PNP program and was nominated as a skilled worker and now have my PR application in process with London.

The $550 is the initial cost for your PR application, there are various charges along the way. Medicals cost me $370 and RPRF was $590 I believe. And that doesn't take into account, as you mentioned, the endless paperwork, expedited shipping charges for mailout etc...

If you have any questions feel free to message me

Well I already have a visa application which is already in stage 2. I applied for the common law partner visa through my boyfriend who I've been with since early 2011... that's the tricky thing here, that application is already in london awaiting final approval and so I am doing the PNP in addition to that so that I can stay and work until I get my common law partner visa approved. I called up and spoke to someone at the CIC and they said its fine to to that. I'm assuming that i will only need this for a few months at most and hopefully get my visa through soon after as its been with them since March. I was just wondering if anyone else had done the same exact thing? Also is this $550 something that i could get back at any stage if i don't continue with the PNP after I get my visa?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Well I already have a visa application which is already in stage 2. I applied for the common law partner visa through my boyfriend who I've been with since early 2011... that's the tricky thing here, that application is already in london awaiting final approval and so I am doing the PNP in addition to that so that I can stay and work until I get my common law partner visa approved. I called up and spoke to someone at the CIC and they said its fine to to that. I'm assuming that i will only need this for a few months at most and hopefully get my visa through soon after as its been with them since March. I was just wondering if anyone else had done the same exact thing? Also is this $550 something that i could get back at any stage if i don't continue with the PNP after I get my visa?

I haven't done this but I know that it is alright to have 2 separate applications in at the same time, they won't affect each other. As for the refund, CIC states "The fees will be refunded only if we have not started processing your application". So if the PNP app is not looked at before your sponsor app is approved, you can withdraw it and get the refund. But if they do start to process it, then no refund.

 

[nthompson]

Hey! Welcome.

Unfortunately, it would be anyone's guess how long it will take you. And that's under normal circumstances. Everything is a wild-card now that the strike is in action.

I guess this puts paid to the idea that applications are processed in the order that they're received since some December and January applications are already done and dusted.


So, for a guesstimate on the time, i would expect another 2 months at least i'm afraid. 10 months seems to be about what we're at now...

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Its weird as soon as I emailed them to find out they have been sending me updates since. I just got this emailed to me yesterday "Dear Applicant,

In order to continue processing your application, we require the additional documents listed below. Please send clear legible photocopies rather than the original documents unless otherwise specified. If the documents are not written in either English or French, please enclose a certified translation with a photocopy of the original document."

Looks like they have started working on my case? I hope its anytime soon.

The only thing is I have to go and pay for another medical check now and these things ain't cheap

See, this is what really confuses me. You and I had our applications received on exactly the same day in Mississauga (November 14th) and we both got sponsor approval on the same day as well (November 23rd). Whether they go through files in order of initial application date or sponsor approval date, it shouldn't matter - they'd get to us at the same time, and they'd be dealing with our files before people who applied (or got sponsor approval) in December or January. But instead, my file is apparently "still under review" - even though it's languishing at "Application Received" on ECAS - while someone who applied to Mississauga in January just got Decision Made. Meanwhile yours is apparently in a queue. It's a complete mystery to me.

If I'm honest send them a email to see you have not heard anything and you should get a reply within 1-2 weeks , since I've done that they have all of a sudden started on my application which is really good.

Hope we all get sorted soon, I don't like the waiting game

 

[zardoz]

I'm curious about what other updates they have sent you since you emailed them. Your medical is obviously expired, so that's understandable but what else did they say? Any explanation for the delays? The reason that I ask is that London have taken to sending out requests for information that were not omitted from the original applications, especially Question 8 on IMM5669E.

 

[nthompson]

I'm curious about what other updates they have sent you since you emailed them. Your medical is obviously expired, so that's understandable but what else did they say? Any explanation for the delays? The reason that I ask is that London have taken to sending out requests for information that were not omitted from the original applications, especially Question 8 on IMM5669E.

Just mainly the medical, but I will post what they said in the email.

"You will be issued with a medical report upon your completion of the assessment. Please submit a copy of the document to us when you have completed the examination and ensure that you write your file number on the form.

Please note you should receive a separate email with your new IME number.
Please forward all requested documents together to the address below within 60 days from the date of this email. If we do not hear from you within that period, your application will be assessed on the basis of the information on file and your application may be refused. Please allow four months for us to review incoming correspondence. All documents submitted in support of your application are subject to verification with the issuing authority. Please do not contact us unless there are significant issues which need to be brought to our attention. Please quote your file number on all correspondence, including the envelope. Your file number is included in the subject field of this email.

Should your personal circumstances (address, marriage, divorce, birth, death, adoption) change between now and the time you leave for Canada you must report the changes to us. Visas issued without the correct information concerning family status are invalid and admission to Canada will be refused.

The issuance of an immigration visa does not ensure your eventual acceptance into the practice of your profession or occupation in Canada. It is your responsibility to determine whether any licensing/registration requirements apply to your occupation or profession in the province where you wish to settle. Do not leave employment, sell property or take any irrevocable step in anticipation of immigrating to Canada until you have received your visa(s).

We look forward to hearing from you within 60 days."

I'm very annoyed as I called up the medical and I have to pay £295 to do it all over again. Does the police check expire within a year? If so mines expired and why have they not asked for that?

Thanks

 

[zardoz]

The only condition with the Police Certificate is that it should be current at the time that the application arrives. Once it's there, you should only need to have it redone if they suspect that there may be new information on it.

I did notice that your medical was done very early in the application process. The normal rule of thumb for upfront medicals is to do them just before posting the application, to give as much time as possible for the processing before risk of medical expiry. Yours is so far out that I suspect that they couldn't consider an extension of validity.

 

[scottishmaple]

I did notice that your medical was done very early in the application process. The normal rule of thumb for upfront medicals is to do them just before posting the application, to give as much time as possible for the processing before risk of medical expiry. Yours is so far out that I suspect that they couldn't consider an extension of validity.

I agree with Zardoz.

From your timeline you medical was done 6/7 months before the application was submitted and it is only valid for a year.

 

[markstimson]

In regards to the PNP route, how long does it take to process?
My IEC visa expires early October so I'm 3.5 months away from disaster if my PR app isn't approved by then!

I'm a contractor so I guess I could reimburse my 'employer' for the fees and see if they're up for it.

 

[zardoz]

3.5 months? You *have* to be kidding...

Edit: I just checked the statistics tables. For London it's between 9 months (20%) and 24 months (80%) for PNP.

You can check the numbers for yourself by downloading the spreadsheet from http://www.data.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=5175A6F0-1&xsl=datacataloguerecord&metaxsl=datacataloguerecord&formid=427337D0-7C36-4FED-8428-C6A63F8C19B3

 

[markstimson]

My app has been in London for almost 3 months already per my timeline on the left.

Why the *censored word* would they even bother offering PNP if it takes 24 months. Why does everything involving the public sector here go grindingly slow and be besieged by backlogs.

So PNP doesn't provide any form of implied status then? If it takes 24 months, I'm wondering why anyone on an IEC visa waiting for a spousal sponsorship would take that route if not.

 

[zardoz]

Spousal is (in theory) the fastest of all the standard processes.. 5 months (20%) to 9 months (80%) in London.
And, of course, with the PAFSO industrial action, even those times are mere wishful thinking now.

 

[herewecome]

Making me wonder if I should've applied spouse and not CL now