Hi guys,
I would like to join this forum because I am under AINP Family Stream. I have been researching for over half a year now about our program, and I have discovered one thing: That the AINP program has a slower pace of processing. Unlike the other provinces like Manitoba or Sask, Alberta seems to be the slowest. Most of the AINP that I know of took years - not like when they introduced the online application, some of the AINP who just processed their papers online last 2011 are in Canada now as you read this.
One thing I can share to you, I have discovered about 10 people under this program - have the same time frame as I do. AINP nomination normally comes after a month or two of the last updated documents that they ask from you (I have sent twice of the normal requirements they ask). Some visa offices are slower, it takes about 3 months, depending on the bulk of application in the country. And believe it or not, some takes even more than 3 months.
This is my time frame, and my visa office is Manila, Philippines:
March 2009 - submitted application in Alberta via my sister in Edmonton.
Feb 2010 - additional documents were asked, like Certificate of Employments, IELTS, birth certificates, etc.
September 2011 - got email from the program officer in Alberta asking for my current job, job description, etc.
October 2011 - got the nomination letter, with the orange sticker and various forms and they asked for other requirements like birth certificates, diploma's, certificate of employments, etc (they were asked twice) and was asked to pay the initial fee
December 2011 - submitted everything to CEM (Canadian Embassy Manila)
January 2012 - got the AOR (Acknowledgement of Receipt)
February 2012 - got the MR (Medical Request)
March 2012 - did the medical for me and my daughter and got cleared end of March
July 2012 - husband's medical clearance (took 4 months because of additional procedures)
July 2012 - RPRF and additional documents like personaly history from graduation upto the point of where you declared your whereabouts on the first documents sent
August 21, 2012 - ecas status showed "in process" (where at this point, it normally takes about a month or two for the PPR - passport request)
unfortunately for me, they asked for another police clearance (I lived in various countries) and it will take another 2 months for me to get the certificate of no criminal record from that country. Therefore, I am looking at a passport request in my case in about 2-3 months from now. Hopefully before Christmas.
So guys, it took me three years. And I know of about 5 people from forums with the same time frame as I do. And one of them is even before me, and still hasn't gotten any nomination. We are what I call the manual processing - back on a time where the online application is unheard of. I have read in one forum that this AINP guy applied online last 2011 and just got their passports stamped with visa couple of months ago.
So for the AINP Family Stream, you'd have to stretch your patience more - like elastic woman. The name of the game is "stake out". Where you have to really sit in and wait. Literally.
We'll all get there eventually. They say those who patiently wait longer become cooler people 8)
P.S. Our medical expires in March 2013. So keep in mind that whatever date you'll be cleared in your medical, it will be the visa validity. Theoretically, your passports should be stamped before the medical expires. After you get nominated, provided you submit everything quickly, you have ample time to finish everything and get to enjoy your country before migrating. I still got 6 months, lotsa time to enjoy Asia
best of luck AINP Family Stream guys