US outland applicants' thread :)

[Abrassain]

We went to Lena Photo in Windsor. It was $20 tax inclusive for 4 photos. The photographer was a really nice guy and said he keeps all photos on file forever in case they're ever needed again.

 

[kneekick]

I did my medicals in Toronto on College and I think my total cost was $180. I saw John A.B. Nazareth.

 

[Abrassain]

With lab work? That's fantastic.

 

[kneekick]

Yeah! I'd call them and double check if that's still the price. I think we paid the clinic $150 and then the rest for the other work. I could be wrong though. The only issue I had was the lab work was done downstairs at LifeLabs and that was a nightmare experience, so if anyone reading this does go with Dr. Nazareth, I'd ask if you could go to the lab just down the street instead (it's in the same building he'll send you for your x-rays). Haha

 

[adirai]

Just an update, our file was transferred on June 26th 2014 to LA. Today we got a letter for interview to be in LA on october 1st. Also my wife's medicals expire mid november. Hoping for a good experience and will keep posted!

 

[rhcohen2014]

Just an update, our file was transferred on June 26th 2014 to LA. Today we got a letter for interview to be in LA on october 1st. Also my wife's medicals expire mid november. Hoping for a good experience and will keep posted!

any idea what the concern is with your application?

 

[adirai]

any idea what the concern is with your application?

I guess the fact that we got married in October and filed for sponsorship 2 months later. I am pretty sure this is just an interview to see the genuineness of the relationship because there really is nothing else. I am waiting for the gcms notes as well.

 

[Abrassain]

Is that abnormal? I imagine most people would apply immediately or soon after they marry.

 

[chala]

Is that abnormal? I imagine most people would apply immediately or soon after they marry.

It appears for some reason CIC holds a strong bias against US applicants who are are US green card holders or even US citizens who were not born in the U.S so if you are in that category, in all likelihood your application will be sent to LA for review. But with CIC nothing is certain and often it depends on the person reviewing your application

 

[MizAngel]

My husband and I got married last November and didn't apply until February. We haven't hit anything weird yet that I know of...

 

[keesio]

Is that abnormal? I imagine most people would apply immediately or soon after they marry.

It is not abnormal. This is the norm and is often expected.

It appears for some reason CIC holds a strong bias against US applicants who are are US green card holders or even US citizens who were not born in the U.S so if you are in that category, in all likelihood your application will be sent to LA for review. But with CIC nothing is certain and often it depends on the person reviewing your application

This is more likely. They definitely treat US residents who are not US citizens applying via CPP-Ottawa differently. They are often not in the "fast" timeline like US citizens are. This is especially true for US temporary residents (work permit, study permit, etc). Green card holders get less scrutiny though many do often see longer timelines. Naturalized US citizens are usually fast tracked. My wife is a naturalized US citizen (born in South Korea) and her application was processed pretty quickly.

 

[msbigshot]

My husband had his medical done by the only panel physician in Michigan. He has insurance but the costs are so high to begin with that he still ended up paying $200 on top of the $200 doctor fee for the xray, blood, and urine test. This doctor didn't even perform a proper physical. Just asked my husband if he was healthy. In Ontario it would have been around $255 all inclusive at a lot of places. You have to call around and ask their rates because they vary but I believe a doctor in London, ON and Oakville, ON was the cheapest. We stupidly went with the doctor in MI because he thought insurance would cover the lab tests 100%. Oh well.

I'm in Michigan too, you'd been better off to pay cash. Total cost came out to about $170ish. They give you a deal if you say you don't have insurance...

 

[Abrassain]

I'm in Michigan too, you'd been better off to pay cash. Total cost came out to about $170ish. They give you a deal if you say you don't have insurance...

Isn't Dr. Sherman the only panel doctor in MI? He charged $200. The lab tests were extra and came up to around $200. Went to the ones in the name building.

 

[kittyandpipit]

Just an update, our file was transferred on June 26th 2014 to LA. Today we got a letter for interview to be in LA on october 1st. Also my wife's medicals expire mid november. Hoping for a good experience and will keep posted!

I find this so strange, cuz our file was transferred in may, we haven't had any requests for documents, and we haven't heard anything from them yet. the email for LA office enquiry is not working.

 

[kittyandpipit]

I've been reading that non us citizen applications often get sent to LA....is there a trend for marriages under two years going there as well?