US-based applicants, let's connect here

[mgnlky]

Guys I assume you had your passport back by now
I am just looking for advice
My passport was delivered to Ottawa for stamping per FedEx Oct 22nd and I didn' get it back yet
I called twice and sent an email twice and I keep getting the same response
That it was delivered..my application has been finalized and passport will be returned soon
I don' know if I should trust this anymore!

Esp that one email stated my passport was delivered Nov 1st which is not the case per FedEx
At this point am worried that may be my passport was lost?
I don' know what else to do?

Any advice?
Do you know of anyone who has been in a similar situation?
I am super confused

Do you have the tracking number for the return mailing? If so, has it been activated yet?

 

[APPNOV2014NY]

Esp that one email stated my passport was delivered Nov 1st which is not the case per FedEx

This is OK. Fedex delivery and CIC receipt date is never same. Apparently, our Passports are delivered to some mailing room and they hang around their until someone picks up the package, opens it and enters passport details in some system. This process apparently is now taking 7-8 days.

 

[JERiv]

Do you have the excel template that a lot of people use? If not, DM me your email and I'll forward it to you. I'll take out my personal info & serial numbers, etc., but you can see how it's laid out. I (and many others) have landed using it with no issues.

We are using an excel template, but it'd be good to compare with others.

 

[Canadianspirit]

Do you have the tracking number for the return mailing? If so, has it been activated yet?

No it' not

 

[Canadianspirit]

Tha

This is OK. Fedex delivery and CIC receipt date is never same. Apparently, our Passports are delivered to some mailing room and they hang around their until someone picks up the package, opens it and enters passport details in some system. This process apparently

Thanks for explaining

 

[trumprefugee]

Agree with both noscaf2014 and trumprefugee.. if you are a citizen, go through a channeler and you would get it really quick.
But,if you are a PR or on visa, it is best to do it as soon as possible, assuming that you are confident with your score and profile getting picked up in one of the draws. I started 1 month before getting the ITA and it took me 3 months to get the PCC, so it worked out well.
Another thing, though I'm not entirely sure of it, the PCC for the current country should not be more than three months old when you send all your documents. Although I didn't face this scenario, I have read this in several places in this forum. Just thought you should know.

US PRs as well as citizens can go through channelers. It's only those who are here on visas who need to go through the 3+ month process directly with the FBI.

 

[APPNOV2014NY]

US PRs as well as citizens can go through channelers. It's only those who are here on visas who need to go through the 3+ month process directly with the FBI.

Here is the workaround for USA work permit holders to get FBI PCC in short time:

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-i.../threads/fingerprints-rejected-by-fbi.523994/

 

[mgnlky]

Here is the workaround for USA work permit holders to get FBI PCC in short time:

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-i.../threads/fingerprints-rejected-by-fbi.523994/

If you're referring to the $220 service out of Ottawa, I advise against this. It's not an authorized method to use. Only PCC's from the FBI directly, or a channeller if you're a Citizen or PR, are authorized by CIC. You're taking a huge risk by utilizing this method, and as stated numerous times in other threads, if CIC figured out what you've done you could be banned from Canada.

 

[DEEPCUR]

If you're referring to the $220 service out of Ottawa, I advise against this. It's not an authorized method to use. Only PCC's from the FBI directly, or a channeller if you're a Citizen or PR, are authorized by CIC. You're taking a huge risk by utilizing this method, and as stated numerous times in other threads, if CIC figured out what you've done you could be banned from Canada.

True. Given that cic is very generous in giving time for FBI PCC, usage of channeler for this by non citizens should be avoided at all costs

 

[moose17]

Interesting landing trip prep note: I was able to make the appointment to open our TD bank account online. I had called earlier today using Google Voice but got flustered when it went to voicemail and hung up so it was a pleasant surprise to find the option to set it up that way! I can also change the time if needed as it gets closer. I was surprised to see that they were open every day of the week and with longer hours than is typical here.

 

[trumprefugee]

Interesting landing trip prep note: I was able to make the appointment to open our TD bank account online. I had called earlier today using Google Voice but got flustered when it went to voicemail and hung up so it was a pleasant surprise to find the option to set it up that way! I can also change the time if needed as it gets closer. I was surprised to see that they were open every day of the week and with longer hours than is typical here.

That's good to hear. At least in the New York area, many TD Bank branches are open 7 days a week, and they advertise on billboards about their extended hours.

 

[dt12]

What’s the benefit of having a TD bank account? I think we can do a wire transfer all at once from any bank for around $50 bucks?

 

[mgnlky]

CIBC will allow you to do the same thing as TD Bank. RBC you can open the entire account online.
I don't know much about TD Bank, but CIBC does not have a package that allows you to transfer money freely across the boarder. RBC does-- which is good for any of us that will still have US bills such as god-forsaken student loans! lol

 

[JERiv]

Now I'm confused.... so both TD Bank and RBC offer money transfers w/o fees to PRs?

Is there a specific program/offer/other that I need? Any chance someone has a web link to it? I don't think I know what I'm looking for, because I can't seem to find the offers online.

Thanks!!

 

[APPNOV2014NY]

Seconding this question, and also, has anyone been able to find accounts that don't have monthly fees for regular transactions?

I'm getting pretty confused because it seems like everything I look at has a limited number of transactions per month? I don't typically have a reason to physically go into a bank so I'm fine with those being limited, but on debit card transactions, as in every time I purchase anything? I don't understand it, but maybe I'm not getting what constitutes a "transaction".

Check page 12-14. Scotia offers high fees monthly accounts with unlimited debit transactions. Any time you use your debit card ( ATM withdrawal, online payments etc. ) constitutes a transaction. Credit Card transactions are unlimited. Also, you can avoid monthly fees by keeping minimum amount ( $4500 in case of Scotia) in Checking account OR setting up Direct Deposits ( Pay checks) .

http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/common/pdf/day_to_day/day-to-day_banking_companion_booklet.pdf