Transferred From Buffalo To Ottawa. Finally Got An Email From Ottawa.

[AW2011]

For a whole 3 months we didn't hear nothing from Ottawa since our file got transferred from Buffalo. So we decided to email them everyday for the past week. Today we finally got this:

Good day,

Your file is not lost. The file was transferred to this office following the closure of Buffalo. We ask for your understanding that we are now working through a large number of files which have been transferred at the same time.

Warm regards,


Case Processing Pilot - Ottawa | Centre de Traitement Pilote - Ottawa – 123

Citizenship and Immigration Canada | Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada
219 Laurier Avenue West Ottawa ON K1A 1L1 | 219 avenue Laurier Ouest
7th Floor | 7ème étage, Section B
Ottawa ON K1A 1L1 Canada
Facsimile | Télécopieur 613-946-6059
E-mail I Courriel : OttPilot-immigration @ cic.gc.ca
Site : www.cic.gc.ca

Apparently we still haven't touched any of the files!

 

[computergeek]

Your file is not lost. The file was transferred to this office following the closure of Buffalo. We ask for your understanding that we are now working through a large number of files which have been transferred at the same time.

Well, it's good to know there is someone there at least answering e-mails, even if you did have to harass them daily to get an answer back from them.

I wish I could say I was surprised, but I'm not. As I opined when this first happened, in the best of circumstances I cannot imagine it not taking time for them to deal with the mountain of paper that must have been trucked from Buffalo to Ottawa.

What is your timeline? I'm one of those whose file was transferred to Ottawa just AFTER the closure.

 

[AW2011]

What is your timeline? I'm one of those whose file was transferred to Ottawa just AFTER the closure.

Thank you Computergeek. If your file got transferred to Ottawa too, why does your signature say LA?

Here's our timeline:
Application Filed > Early June, 2011
Stage 1 Approve & Transferred > End July, 2011
AOR from Buffalo > End of August, 2011
Confirmed Finalizing Interview Date > Early March, 2012 for June, 2012(booked our flights & hotel)
Buffalo to Ottawa > End May, 2012 (interview was cancelled by e-mail notice)

We just missed Buffalo's closure by 2 weeks and now have to wait for months and months more.

 

[parker24]

Thank you Computergeek. If your file got transferred to Ottawa too, why does your signature say LA?

Here's our timeline:
Application Filed > Early June, 2011
Stage 1 Approve & Transferred > End July, 2011
AOR from Buffalo > End of August, 2011
Confirmed Finalizing Interview Date > Early March, 2012 for June, 2012(booked our flights & hotel)
Buffalo to Ottawa > End May, 2012 (interview was cancelled by e-mail notice)

We just missed Buffalo's closure by 2 weeks and now have to wait for months and months more.

I'm so sorry you have to go through this

As for the LA thing, it's where the US has been going to mostly. I haven't seen many go to any other office. Ottawa has the file, then they will send it to LA (Or electronically send it, that remains uncertain)

 

[AW2011]

I'm so sorry you have to go through this

As for the LA thing, it's where the US has been going to mostly. I haven't seen many go to any other office. Ottawa has the file, then they will send it to LA (Or electronically send it, that remains uncertain)

Thank you parker24. So does that mean our file is in LA too technically, or in Ottawa?

 

[parker24]

Thank you parker24. So does that mean our file is in LA too technically, or in Ottawa?

It might be in LA. But until they tell you it's in LA, you can be certain it's in Ottawa. Hopefully they tell you soon what the heck is going on! Seems to have been a lot of shuffling going on with the files

 

[computergeek]

My understanding is that they now keep the physical paperwork in Ottawa and do much of the background work, but the folks in LA actually issue the COPR once Ottawa has approved it.

Our letter said:

Should you need to submit additional information or make any further enquiries regarding the Application for Permanent Residence for your relative(s), you may contact the visa office by e-mail,
fax, or in writing as follows:

Los Angeles
Consulate General of Canada
Visa Section
550 South Hope Street, 9th Floor
Los Angeles, California
90071 , USA
E-mail: https://dmp-portal.cic.gc.ca/cicemail/intro-eng .aspx?mission=los angeles
Fax number: (213) 625-7154

This visa office was selected based on your relative's home address and the requirements of the
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Thus, I consider LA to be the processing office, although the signature was:

Officer MT - CPPO
Case Processing Centre Mississauga

So it says it was an officer at CPP-O (Ottawa) but the paperwork originated from Mississauga.

I'm expecting we'll be called for an interview. Where that will be isn't clear to me at all.

I can fully empathize with your pain. I started my own journey through the CIC nightmare 39 months ago, and there are times when I despair that it will ever end.