Timelines when gov. priorities shift?

[SLCtoYEG]

Hi all,

Thinking of the current global climate and praying for all citizens and those who have family and friends in Ukraine.

Naturally, IRCC priorities must shift to process applications from Ukraine as quickly as possible to reunite those families and get them safely to Canada, much like they did when the US pulled out of Afghanistan. I'm just curious whether anyone on here was in this process when apps from Afghanistan were rightly prioritized and how that affected the timelines for apps from other countries. As we've only recently filed our app, I wasn't paying attention to the timelines then. I also realize that no one has a crystal ball to tell the future but maybe someone has some knowledge, experience or a trend they noticed and can share.

Thanks and we stand with you, Ukraine.

 

[armoured]

I also realize that no one has a crystal ball to tell the future but maybe someone has some knowledge, experience or a trend they noticed and can share.

Personally I think the only obvious and specific trend that was obvious was that the Afghan announcement and program specifically said they would not answer any file related questions of any kind at call centres etc - and that it kind of dragged on as an excuse for a while longer than it probably should have.

BUT: that part of the annoumcement was related also to it being in the midst of an election. Hopefully that won't hold any more.

Other than that, I doubt that any overall trend was large enough to be noticeable or easily detectable (without having access to more data than would be here). There was too much else going on and (important) the Afghan files were not just family sponsorship - and there is some notional dedication of staff to some types of files. (Sure they shift things around also to spread load) Same wil be true for Ukraine, all types of visas.

As for the Ukrainian files themselves - the offices nearby have for a while been ones where files from other overloaded offices are sent (eg to Warsaw and Vienna from London or elsewhere). Obviously they'll stop doing that for the time being.

And sure, some files already in those offices that aren't 'priority' will be delayed - my guess would be overall not by very much (weeks not months). Small(ish) in the overall IRCC system.

Just guesses on my part, albeit somewhat informed. With message - don't panic. Ukraine's got it worse.

 

[SLCtoYEG]

Personally I think the only obvious and specific trend that was obvious was that the Afghan announcement and program specifically said they would not answer any file related questions of any kind at call centres etc - and that it kind of dragged on as an excuse for a while longer than it probably should have.

BUT: that part of the annoumcement was related also to it being in the midst of an election. Hopefully that won't hold any more.

Other than that, I doubt that any overall trend was large enough to be noticeable or easily detectable (without having access to more data than would be here). There was too much else going on and (important) the Afghan files were not just family sponsorship - and there is some notional dedication of staff to some types of files. (Sure they shift things around also to spread load) Same wil be true for Ukraine, all types of visas.

As for the Ukrainian files themselves - the offices nearby have for a while been ones where files from other overloaded offices are sent (eg to Warsaw and Vienna from London or elsewhere). Obviously they'll stop doing that for the time being.

And sure, some files already in those offices that aren't 'priority' will be delayed - my guess would be overall not by very much (weeks not months). Small(ish) in the overall IRCC system.

Just guesses on my part, albeit somewhat informed. With message - don't panic. Ukraine's got it worse.

Thanks @armoured, I appreciate your thoughts on this and you're bang on - Ukraine has it way worse.

 

[armoured]

Thanks @armoured, I appreciate your thoughts on this and you're bang on - Ukraine has it way worse.

Just to make it clear, lots of applicants and sponsors (and I'd guess MPs) found it VERY frustrating to not be able to get anything out of IRCC. Maybe it helped IRCC, maybe it didn't, but I am guessing they don't want to repeat that. (If it pissed off MPs it makes its way through the bureaucracy too).

And covid situation also rather different.

 

[valvlad]

Maybe they can speed up applicants from Russia as well..
There was a man who wrote to Warsaw regarding his wife who is in Russia to try to speed up their passport request and it came to her within a couple of hours! Maybe it’s not related since they had their prearrival already but I want to think it is..
From Russian side we are here scared to death cause EU began to close their sky for any Russian planes, Russia already banned British to fly in/out/above Russia so I’m anxious we even make it out of here lol

 

[armoured]

Maybe they can speed up applicants from Russia as well..
There was a man who wrote to Warsaw regarding his wife who is in Russia to try to speed up their passport request and it came to her within a couple of hours! Maybe it’s not related since they had their prearrival already but I want to think it is..
From Russian side we are here scared to death cause EU began to close their sky for any Russian planes, Russia already banned British to fly in/out/above Russia so I’m anxious we even make it out of here lol

Try what he did, write to warsaw and to your mp with version of just what you wrote.

I f you haven't already apply for trv asap as well, complete your process in Canada.

 

[valvlad]

Try what he did, write to warsaw and to your mp with version of just what you wrote.

I f you haven't already apply for trv asap as well, complete your process in Canada.

I wrote to Warsaw and our rep did too. Im afraid that if we apply for travel visa it will freeze everything since we are already so close to the end and receiving the DM..

 

[armoured]

I wrote to Warsaw and our rep did too. Im afraid that if we apply for travel visa it will freeze everything since we are already so close to the end and receiving the DM..

That is up to you. I don't think it will freeze your ongoing PR app, and possibly (it has happened) actually trigger the file review.

I read (in part) the announcements about Ukraine as saying these will be pushed to top of pile, and often TRV are mostly automated with only quick review.

TRV app now makes sense if you really are ready to go. But do either, or do both (eg writing again). Do write to your MP as well.

You should mention air ticket limitations and possibly eg need to exit by train or other routes, and that this makes it far more complex due to visas for spouse (does your spouse have schengen?). Again, if you want to leave now or soonest, make that clear.

Also, make sure to reference the announcements (even if not specifically about Russia) - Canadian citizen and immediate family in conflict zone.

I'm a bit surprised how long your app has been going on, but I guess the AOR taking ~six months was a bad start. Have you ever ordered gcms notes or have any hint as to why it's taking so long? Either way writing/TRV/MP should have some impact. Good luck.

 

[armoured]

And note: you do NOT have to use your rep to write your MP. Screw your rep.

 

[valvlad]

That is up to you. I don't think it will freeze your ongoing PR app, and possibly (it has happened) actually trigger the file review.

I read (in part) the announcements about Ukraine as saying these will be pushed to top of pile, and often TRV are mostly automated with only quick review.

TRV app now makes sense if you really are ready to go. But do either, or do both (eg writing again). Do write to your MP as well.

You should mention air ticket limitations and possibly eg need to exit by train or other routes, and that this makes it far more complex due to visas for spouse (does your spouse have schengen?). Again, if you want to leave now or soonest, make that clear.

Also, make sure to reference the announcements (even if not specifically about Russia) - Canadian citizen and immediate family in conflict zone.

I'm a bit surprised how long your app has been going on, but I guess the AOR taking ~six months was a bad start. Have you ever ordered gcms notes or have any hint as to why it's taking so long? Either way writing/TRV/MP should have some impact. Good luck.

He has schengen, yes!

I mentioned everything about the planes and closing sky with our neighbour countries, hope that helps.
yea it’s taking hella long, I guess because Warsaw is one of the busiest visa offices rn. My friends waited for their pr 6 months after they passed medicals too. For us it’s been 6 months on Feb 23... so they actually began the 12 month process since May 17 2021, not November 2020!!
He cannot apply for trv cause he’s not vaccinated also, and now there are no ways to do that..
Warsaw last time replied on Jan 21 that the file is on process, that’s it.
I will try to contact mp after Warsaw reply. May i piss them off with these emails? Lol

 

[valvlad]

And note: you do NOT have to use your rep to write your MP. Screw your rep.

Where can I see the list of mp, again?

 

[armoured]

Where can I see the list of mp, again?

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en

I would recommend you write to their constituency office (ie in the riding and not in Ottawa) if there's a choice.

 

[valvlad]

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en

I would recommend you write to their constituency office (ie in the riding and not in Ottawa) if there's a choice.

Didn’t get what you said, sorry
I searched with my postal code where my mom lives, so that’s my mp?
Do I write the same concerns about my file and current situation that’s going on?

 

[armoured]

Didn’t get what you said, sorry
I searched with my postal code where my mom lives, so that’s my mp?
Do I write the same concerns about my file and current situation that’s going on?

Yes, that's what you do. Most mps will have an office in Ottawa and also a local office in the city or towns they represent. Usually the local offices deal with requests from the people they represent.

I'd ask for two things - an update on your file and it's status and also that they request expedited processing because , well, you know the reasons.

Make sire to provide them timeline info IE your file is now we'll over a year.

 

[valvlad]

Yes, that's what you do. Most mps will have an office in Ottawa and also a local office in the city or towns they represent. Usually the local offices deal with requests from the people they represent.

I'd ask for two things - an update on your file and it's status and also that they request expedited processing because , well, you know the reasons.

Make sire to provide them timeline info IE your file is now we'll over a year.

okay will do. But I want to receive an email from Warsaw first.
The year will be on May 17.2022, what a great bday present for me

how exactly do they try to speed up the process? Do you know?