US outland applicants' thread :)

[ArEm]

Okay, wow. Well, after almost 200 pages, I've made it to the end of this incredibly helpful thread!

We are just starting to get out paperwork together to get going on me sponsoring my fiance from within the states, outland. Gosh, this is intimidating. Not looking for advice just this second, more just wanting to say Hi, and thanks for all the help and advice that exists on these pages. I have no idea where I'd even start without it.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Okay, wow. Well, after almost 200 pages, I've made it to the end of this incredibly helpful thread!

We are just starting to get out paperwork together to get going on me sponsoring my fiance from within the states, outland. Gosh, this is intimidating. Not looking for advice just this second, more just wanting to say Hi, and thanks for all the help and advice that exists on these pages. I have no idea where I'd even start without it.

most important thing to know i wish i did before i applied... your visa office is ottawa, and police records expire after 3 months, so the initial office must receive them within 3 months. so make sure to time it correctly! also, please do NOT get intimidated by reading about other people's large submissions. as US citizens, we are given a bit more leeway, so our proof does NOT need to be hundreds or thousands of pages. they say it's quality over quantity. Also, the processing time listed on the CIC site is not always accurate. the most recent "average" for US applicants is 8-10 months for the entire outland process. There are threads for each month of applicants, and in each thread is a spreadsheet that tracks everyone's progress. Good luck, and let us know if you have any questions!

 

[Saneth]

Okay, wow. Well, after almost 200 pages, I've made it to the end of this incredibly helpful thread!

We are just starting to get out paperwork together to get going on me sponsoring my fiance from within the states, outland. Gosh, this is intimidating. Not looking for advice just this second, more just wanting to say Hi, and thanks for all the help and advice that exists on these pages. I have no idea where I'd even start without it.

Since you're an outland/US applicant, your file will be processed in Ottawa. The Ottawa thread might be helpful for you as well. http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/cppottawa-t118769.4935.html

 

[Yaak]

On the matter of police records, my FBI letter reached it's 3 month "use by" date last month (It came sooner than expected and the application, now almost ready to go, took longer than expected. I forgot about the 3 month limit until reminded by a recent forum post). As a matter of strategy, would it be better to send in the application now, with the December dated police record letter, and expect to get a request for an updated letter from CIC later in the process, or would it be best to hold the entire application until a new letter arrives from the FBI in another month or so?

I have no appreciation for the weight given to the police record/FBI letter for US applicants. Would the entire application be thrown back to us because of the older letter, or would it be a small detail that would cause a delay later in the process? Does anyone have experience with this particular conundrum? Thanks,

 

[rhcohen2014]

On the matter of police records, my FBI letter reached it's 3 month "use by" date last month (It came sooner than expected and the application, now almost ready to go, took longer than expected. I forgot about the 3 month limit until reminded by a recent forum post). As a matter of strategy, would it be better to send in the application now, with the December dated police record letter, and expect to get a request for an updated letter from CIC later in the process, or would it be best to hold the entire application until a new letter arrives from the FBI in another month or so?

I have no appreciation for the weight given to the police record/FBI letter for US applicants. Would the entire application be thrown back to us because of the older letter, or would it be a small detail that would cause a delay later in the process? Does anyone have experience with this particular conundrum? Thanks,

personally i would get another one, more recent. especially now that the wait time for them is only about 3 weeks. i didn't know this fun fact until AFTER our application was sent in, and mine cut it REALLY close. Since it's not that hefty of a pricetag, i have been debating getting a second one, just in case. So far we haven't been asked for a new one. (fingers crossed!)

We forgot a form in our package, and had to send it in. My husband was told on monday when he called that it can take 3-4 weeks for a missing document to be added to the original application, so yes, i believe getting a request for an updated one would certainly delay the process. What would suck would be for them to request a new record, and the FBI's wait time increases significantly and goes beyond the grace period they give you. At that point, your application would be sent back and you have to start all over again!

I would think the FBI record has an inpact on the application since it will prove whether the applicant has a criminal record, and Canada certainly doesn't like criminals applying for PR!

 

[Yaak]

personally i would get another one, more recent. especially now that the wait time for them is only about 3 weeks. i didn't know this fun fact until AFTER our application was sent in, and mine cut it REALLY close. Since it's not that hefty of a pricetag, i have been debating getting a second one, just in case. So far we haven't been asked for a new one. (fingers crossed!)

We forgot a form in our package, and had to send it in. My husband was told on monday when he called that it can take 3-4 weeks for a missing document to be added to the original application, so yes, i believe getting a request for an updated one would certainly delay the process. What would suck would be for them to request a new record, and the FBI's wait time increases significantly and goes beyond the grace period they give you. At that point, your application would be sent back and you have to start all over again!

I would think the FBI record has an inpact on the application since it will prove whether the applicant has a criminal record, and Canada certainly doesn't like criminals applying for PR!

Thanks for the feedback! I checked the FBI site and they are currently running 22 calendar days for a request -- far better than the 16 - 18 weeks (outdated information) posted on the CIC web site. I'll be getting another set of prints done tomorrow.

 

[chala]

On the matter of police records, my FBI letter reached it's 3 month "use by" date last month (It came sooner than expected and the application, now almost ready to go, took longer than expected. I forgot about the 3 month limit until reminded by a recent forum post). As a matter of strategy, would it be better to send in the application now, with the December dated police record letter, and expect to get a request for an updated letter from CIC later in the process, or would it be best to hold the entire application until a new letter arrives from the FBI in another month or so?

I have no appreciation for the weight given to the police record/FBI letter for US applicants. Would the entire application be thrown back to us because of the older letter, or would it be a small detail that would cause a delay later in the process? Does anyone have experience with this particular conundrum? Thanks,

When we filed, we included an out dated FBI report, with a note that an updated one would be sent later. We wanted to get in the queue as quickly as possible, and CIC seemed happy enough with that arrangement.

 

[keesio]

It is ideal to have everything in the application before sending it off. But sounds like many people have not had any issues sending it out later like chala has done.

 

[kateee]

Does anyone know the email address for Ottawa? I just had my name changed on my passport and need to email a copy of the new bio page.... I haven't gotten anything by email from Ottawa, so if anyone could share the email address that would be great!!!
Hopefully the email with passport will get the ball moving a bit on my app... maybe wishful thinking, but we'll see!!!

 

[Zarilenth]

Does anyone know the email address for Ottawa? I just had my name changed on my passport and need to email a copy of the new bio page.... I haven't gotten anything by email from Ottawa, so if anyone could share the email address that would be great!!!
Hopefully the email with passport will get the ball moving a bit on my app... maybe wishful thinking, but we'll see!!!

The email is: OttPilot-immigration@cic.gc.ca

Make sure you include all your info in the email so they can match it up. My emails looked like this:

Subject: Application FXXXXXXXXX...(can say sending in new passport photo)

Application FXXXXXXXXX
Sponsor:
UCI: XXXXXXXX
Birth Date:
Place of Birth:
Address:

Application: FXXXXXXXXX
Applicant:
UCI: XXXXXXXX
Birth Date:
Place of Birth:
Address:

And then after all that I write the actual email.

 

[Florida Bear]

So I sent CIC an email yesterday asking if there is any status update and a friendly, from the heart letter explaining we have been waiting patiently, we are two big burly dorky guys who are in love and responded to their request for further documentation over 60 days ago. This morning I looked at ECAS as I have for the past 8 1/2 months and it says DECISION MADE!! WOOT!!!!

I guess everyone kind of does this, but it said they started processing my file on 4/29 and decision made now. Hoping thats a normal processing time since they had already asked for some other documents. There was no PPR and just straight to Decision Made. I had sent in copies of every page of my passport that had info on it with the application.

OMG totally awesome.. lol beside myself right now and can't believe it finally happened. Just hoping it's a good news decision. lol

 

[kateee]

So I sent CIC an email yesterday asking if there is any status update and a friendly, from the heart letter explaining we have been waiting patiently, we are two big burly dorky guys who are in love and responded to their request for further documentation over 60 days ago. This morning I looked at ECAS as I have for the past 8 1/2 months and it says DECISION MADE!! WOOT!!!!

I guess everyone kind of does this, but it said they started processing my file on 4/29 and decision made now. Hoping thats a normal processing time since they had already asked for some other documents. There was no PPR and just straight to Decision Made. I had sent in copies of every page of my passport that had info on it with the application.

OMG totally awesome.. lol beside myself right now and can't believe it finally happened. Just hoping it's a good news decision. lol

Amazing!!! Congrats! I just sent them an email with my new passport and notification that we will be moving in the next month... Hopefully I'll have the same luck as you!!

 

[Florida Bear]

Amazing!!! Congrats! I just sent them an email with my new passport and notification that we will be moving in the next month... Hopefully I'll have the same luck as you!!

Thanks! I'm sure yours will be showing up very shortly!

 

[keesio]

So I sent CIC an email yesterday asking if there is any status update and a friendly, from the heart letter explaining we have been waiting patiently, we are two big burly dorky guys who are in love and responded to their request for further documentation over 60 days ago. This morning I looked at ECAS as I have for the past 8 1/2 months and it says DECISION MADE!! WOOT!!!!

I guess everyone kind of does this, but it said they started processing my file on 4/29 and decision made now. Hoping thats a normal processing time since they had already asked for some other documents. There was no PPR and just straight to Decision Made. I had sent in copies of every page of my passport that had info on it with the application.

OMG totally awesome.. lol beside myself right now and can't believe it finally happened. Just hoping it's a good news decision. lol

Congrats! Many people go from Application Received to Decision Made (my wife did).

 

[Florida Bear]

Congrats! Many people go from Application Received to Decision Made (my wife did).

Thanks!!!!! super excited!!