US outland applicants' thread :)

[Ineffable]

Gotta ask a stupid question, not up on all the lingo, but what is AOR, sorry for my ignorance. Thank you all

Not a stupid question! We all come into this process with the same level of ignorance.

AOR stands for Acknowledgement of Receipt. It means that they've opened your application, and they are letting you know they have it in their possession.

 

[Ineffable]

Gotta ask a stupid question, not up on all the lingo, but what is AOR, sorry for my ignorance. Thank you all

PS--<a href="http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/immigration-acronyms-t3007.0.html">here's a link to a list of acronyms.</a>

Hope this helps!

 

[jamsham12]

Anyone have any tips for getting through on the Call Centre line? I've tried dozens of times in the last couple weeks and have NEVER been put through to an agent -- just get a recording "We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls." Today I've tried several times at minutes past 8 a.m. local time, at which the website says they are available, only to get the same recording. I just need to know whether they've attached to our file the copy of my spouse's FBI check results, submitted a week ago by 3 different methods, along with proof that they received the original in January. I submitted a complaint about the Call Centre via the link on the website, and got an acknowledgment that THAT had been received! How long could it possibly take for a document to make it from the Mail Room onto the desk of our Visa Officer?! Or did they put our file on the bottom of a pile when they sent the email requesting we send the FBI check results -- which we had already done FOUR months ago? The incompetence and inefficiency of this department are breathtaking!

Keep calling is the best bet. When you call the number once it transfers you to CIC and you hear the lady speak, press 1 and then 2 for change address and then 0. I find that i can usually connect to an agent quicker that way rather then clicking 1 then 1.

 

[VAtoBC]

Keep calling is the best bet. When you call the number once it transfers you to CIC and you hear the lady speak, press 1 and then 2 for change address and then 0. I find that i can usually connect to an agent quicker that way rather then clicking 1 then 1.

Which number did you call? When I call 1-888-242-2100, then hit the prompt numbers as you suggested, I don't get the option of pressing 0 at the end. I am not calling to do a change of address, which I understand must now be done online anyway.

 

[jamsham12]

I am calling from the US. try 613-944-4000. Press 1 for english, then 1 again to be transfereed to CIC, once you hear the lady and after she finishes her statement on nepal, press 1 to check the status of an application, then press 2 for change of an address once you then press 0 and it will connect you to an agent. I just called the call centre, waited 16 minutes for an agent but still got through. I called to see if my FBI clearance was attached to my application, the call centre agent wouldn't tell me and stated it takes 16 months for Ottawa to process family class PR applications and if they need additional documents they will inform you. So i am not sure how helpful the call centre is, granted each agent is different.

 

[VAtoBC]

I am calling from the US. try 613-944-4000. Press 1 for english, then 1 again to be transfereed to CIC, once you hear the lady and after she finishes her statement on nepal, press 1 to check the status of an application, then press 2 for change of an address once you then press 0 and it will connect you to an agent. I just called the call centre, waited 16 minutes for an agent but still got through. I called to see if my FBI clearance was attached to my application, the call centre agent wouldn't tell me and stated it takes 16 months for Ottawa to process family class PR applications and if they need additional documents they will inform you. So i am not sure how helpful the call centre is, granted each agent is different.

So in other words, there's no point in even attempting to contact CIC, as all you'll get is an automaton operator spouting the line about the processing time shown for that office on the website, or an automated reply to email that states they will NOT respond to enquiries about receipt of documents. Why would we have any confidence that, if we repeated the criminal record check, the new document would make it onto our file?!

 

[jamsham12]

So in other words, there's no point in even attempting to contact CIC, as all you'll get is an automaton operator spouting the line about the processing time shown for that office on the website, or an automated reply to email that states they will NOT respond to enquiries about receipt of documents. Why would we have any confidence that, if we repeated the criminal record check, the new document would make it onto our file?!

Well i got a human but she basically stated she would not be able to give me that information at this point in time. I have heard others who stated the agent was able to see if the documents have been attached. The best bet is to order GCMS notes to see whether the clearance has been attached. LOL, so she about as good as a robot.

 

[rockgurl1965]

PS--<a href="http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/immigration-acronyms-t3007.0.html">here's a link to a list of acronyms.</a>

Hope this helps!

Yes it does, thank you , Everything is a little bit different than the US side. Again thank you

 

[VAtoBC]

Well i got a human but she basically stated she would not be able to give me that information at this point in time. I have heard others who stated the agent was able to see if the documents have been attached. The best bet is to order GCMS notes to see whether the clearance has been attached. LOL, so she about as good as a robot.

If we get no response by the end of this month to our submission, by 3 different methods, of the copy of the FBI document, as well as UPS Proof of Delivery, I will consider ordering GCMS notes, even though I have NO confidence there'll be anything of value in the notes. I'm sure they'll NEVER admit to having LOST the original, sent in 4 months ago. I'm also aware that every request CIC gets for GCMS notes takes time away from them actually processing our applications.

 

[Panamai]

If we get no response by the end of this month to our submission, by 3 different methods, of the copy of the FBI document, as well as UPS Proof of Delivery, I will consider ordering GCMS notes, even though I have NO confidence there'll be anything of value in the notes. I'm sure they'll NEVER admit to having LOST the original, sent in 4 months ago. I'm also aware that every request CIC gets for GCMS notes takes time away from them actually processing our applications.

I thought it was handled by an entirely different department..?

 

[VAtoBC]

I thought it was handled by an entirely different department..?

It may be handled by a different department, but presumably that department would need access to the file and to the notes, likely taking it out of the queue for processing while they respond to the ATIP request. Just guessing at this.

 

[Panamai]

It may be handled by a different department, but presumably that department would need access to the file and to the notes, likely taking it out of the queue for processing while they respond to the ATIP request. Just guessing at this.

I don't think they need your paper file for this. All the note entries are made electronically, I believe. They just forward you what's in the computer. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I sincerely hope I didn't screw myself over by ordering notes last month!

 

[Amalthea]

I don't think they need your paper file for this. All the note entries are made electronically, I believe. They just forward you what's in the computer. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I sincerely hope I didn't screw myself over by ordering notes last month!

Nah. Lots of people order notes continually throughout the process and get approved at the same speed as everyone else. Well, at least before things got all out of order They just email you the case file they already have.

 

[fizban]

I just ordered my common law partner's notes through the Online portal. (https://atip-aiprp.apps.gc.ca/atip/welcome.do)

It was extremely easy and took about 5 minutes. It even lets you upload scanned documents of the required consent form (for the foreign applicant) and proof of Canadian citizenship (for the requester).

I am not sure why anyone would order it by the paper process when it is so much easier by the online portal! When I search "How to order GCMS" in the forums the instructions I saw were all for the paper process even for recent posts. This is 2015!

 

[Amalthea]

Really? People suggested doing it by mail? Lel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_E_dq_uLVo&feature=youtu.be

is the walkthrough i send to everyone Hope you get some answers in your notes!