US outland applicants' thread :)

[maverick.dexter]

Seattle is not closed. Files from CPP-O may be referred to NYC, Detroit, Seattle or LA. Typically this happens for cases that require special handling, such as an interview.

you may want to check this >>http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/missions/seattle.asp

it says "The Visa and Immigration Section at the Canadian Consulate in Detroit (United States) is closed and services transferred to the Canadian Consulate in New York or in Los Angeles."

 

[computergeek]

you may want to check this >>http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/missions/seattle.asp

it says "The Visa and Immigration Section at the Canadian Consulate in Detroit (United States) is closed and services transferred to the Canadian Consulate in New York or in Los Angeles."

Ah thanks for that. I had missed that announcement. More cost savings for CIC.

Since the data is updated quarterly, they must be reporting Seattle because they still have data (much like they reported Buffalo for a while after the Buffalo office was closed.)

I'm sure that closing the Seattle and Detroit offices should help improve CIC's response time overall... :-[

 

[lawgrrl]

Seattle is not closed. Files from CPP-O may be referred to NYC, Detroit, Seattle or LA. Typically this happens for cases that require special handling, such as an interview.

Hmm, our file was transferred to LA, but no interview. They did, however, request further proof of sponsor husband's "plans to re-establish in Canada." COPR issued <30 days after we provided further docs. Who really knows? Not me!

 

[computergeek]

Hmm, our file was transferred to LA, but no interview. They did, however, request further proof of sponsor husband's "plans to re-establish in Canada." COPR issued <30 days after we provided further docs. Who really knows? Not me!

Well, asking for further proof might constitute special processing. I think they also transfer some files just to offload to LA (my COPR was processed through LA as well.)

 

[IvanP]

Well, asking for further proof might constitute special processing. I think they also transfer some files just to offload to LA (my COPR was processed through LA as well.)

Maybe, but they asked me for further proof of my intent to move to Canada, and my family's VO is still Ottawa.

 

[IvanP]

Hmm, our file was transferred to LA, but no interview. They did, however, request further proof of sponsor husband's "plans to re-establish in Canada." COPR issued <30 days after we provided further docs. Who really knows? Not me!

It's been about 30 days since CIC received our further proof docs, but no COPR yet. And, of course, no ECAS updates. I'd be pretty happy to get the COPR before the end of April so we can actually move forward with the moving plans/job searches.

 

[tavora]

It's been about 30 days since CIC received our further proof docs, but no COPR yet. And, of course, no ECAS updates. I'd be pretty happy to get the COPR before the end of April so we can actually move forward with the moving plans/job searches.

Don't feel too bad just yet - it's been 62 days since we submitted our passport scan and we've heard nothing. ECAS was updated around February 20th to DM. I'm starting to think the COPR got lost in the mail - that is, if they sent it.

 

[computergeek]

Don't feel too bad just yet - it's been 62 days since we submitted our passport scan and we've heard nothing. ECAS was updated around February 20th to DM. I'm starting to think the COPR got lost in the mail - that is, if they sent it.

Yikes. Yes, 60 days after DM sounds like something has gone astray. Have you contacted the VO?

 

[cempjwi]

The legal requirement is that the Citizen must be residing in Canada by the time the spouse/partner becomes a permanent resident. That's why they push on this - it's really a statutory requirement.

True. That also technically means that with proof of intent the applicant would obtain COPR (and visa for non-exempt) as that fact does not represent that the applicant has become a PR yet.

 

[tavora]

Yikes. Yes, 60 days after DM sounds like something has gone astray. Have you contacted the VO?

Yes - we've emailed CPP-Ottawa, and we've heard nothing. I've tried both emailing and sending a Case Specific enquiry. First email was on March 13th and they still haven't responded. I find this strange just because previously they would respond in 3-7 days to my email inquiries. Do you happen to know what happens if the COPR goes missing?

 

[IvanP]

The legal requirement is that the Citizen must be residing in Canada by the time the spouse/partner becomes a permanent resident. That's why they push on this - it's really a statutory requirement.

I understand this as follows:

a) receipt of COPR does not make an applicant a permanent resident, only landing does;
b) sponsor does not need to reside in Canada for COPR to be issued to sponsor's family, sponsor need only intend to reside in Canada by the time applicant(s) become(s) residents;
c) therefore, sponsor can ultimately satisfy the "by the time" requirement by moving at the same time as sponsor's family.

Anyone believe this is not correct?

 

[crna80]

If anybody has had experience with opening a bank account after landing in Canada. How difficult is it? What would i need for it? Thanks.

We already had an account. however a few pages back on this thread there was quite a bit of conversation on the different banks and some that allow you to transfer money between countries. You might want to check that out.

 

[leodr]

We already had an account. however a few pages back on this thread there was quite a bit of conversation on the different banks and some that allow you to transfer money between countries. You might want to check that out.

Thanks a lot. One more question, can you get PR card after landing urgently. Say if we show them proof of return to US early etc. Somebody said that you can get a PR card urgently if given proof in a matter of 2-3 days. Is that true?

 

[parker24]

Thanks a lot. One more question, can you get PR card after landing urgently. Say if we show them proof of return to US early etc. Somebody said that you can get a PR card urgently if given proof in a matter of 2-3 days. Is that true?

I can't see how that would help as you would have to show Nova Scotia and NS tends to ignore e-mails.

 

[computergeek]

Thanks a lot. One more question, can you get PR card after landing urgently. Say if we show them proof of return to US early etc. Somebody said that you can get a PR card urgently if given proof in a matter of 2-3 days. Is that true?

I don't think they'd take you seriously - you're visa exempt, so no common carrier will even KNOW to ask for your PR card.

Remember, the PR card isn't for CBSA at the border, it's for the transportation company to prove that you won't be refused entry into Canada. CBSA has access to the CIC computer system and there are protocols for confirming you are a PR even without any identification at all. Once they confirm you are a PR, you have a legal right to enter Canada.