Use of Representative etc.

[Ryissa]

So my husband and I seem like we're close to having all of the information to send in all of our forms, but we want to make sure of a few details. We're applying under the family class.

1. How exactly does the process go for medical examinations? My understanding of it was you take a form to a doctor dealing specifically with exams for immigration, they give you back one of these forms, and then you immediately mail off your paperwork since it's only valid a year? Is this correct?

2. Using a representitive/lawyer. I shelled out money to consult one, but he doesn't seem trustworthy anymore. How in the world do you search for a non-scumbag lawyer without spending all this money on consultations? I really feel I need one since I have medical issues that may complicate the whole process. I'd be looking for a lawyer near the Vancouver, BC area.

3. On the IMM 5490 it says to provide photos for proof that we were basically together, proof of our wedding, etc. The photos we have are digital, but is it okay just to print them out on a piece of paper or do we need to find some sort of photo lab to get actual photo prints of them?

Thanks in advance.

 

[amikety]

1) The forms are no longer available to print online (at least for US citizens). If you can, it's in your country specific guide. If not, the doctor has it. It's part of the new e-medical system. Yes, they give you a form to mail in with your picture attached.

3) Yes. I even printed most of them in black and white instead of color. I didn't bother with high quality either. It's pretty obvious who we are. Some people even put multiple pictures on the same page.

My husband joked we should make CIC a photo collage at WalMart.

2) I don't know (don't live in Vancouver). There's a few people here that live in BC, so hopefully they will chime in.

 

[Ryissa]

Thank you. Hopefully someone from BC will know about the lawyer.

One more question! I'm trying to file for an extension to visit and it asks for the number on my original visitor record. There's two numbers up in the right-hand corner, one set in red that starts with "BB" and the other in black that starts with "C9". Which one would I use?

 

[amikety]

Thank you. Hopefully someone from BC will know about the lawyer.

One more question! I'm trying to file for an extension to visit and it asks for the number on my original visitor record. There's two numbers up in the right-hand corner, one set in red that starts with "BB" and the other in black that starts with "C9". Which one would I use?

That's a new question I never had to deal with.

I'm not very helpful after all! :'(

 

[Ryissa]

No worries! I'm sure someone's got the answer somewhere here. Google's being incredibly unhelpful in the matter!

Edit: Almost forgot! I understand a UCI number is a number given to you from CIC. On my Visitor Record there's a space that says "Client ID." It's a 8-digit number with a dash in the middle, like 1234-5678. Is this my UCI? I guess I'm needing both my UCI (if indeed that's it, I know I can skip that section if I don't have it) as well as my document number on my Visitor Record for this extension application.

So many numbers and so much confusion! ???

 

[amikety]

Post your question about the lawyer in the Spouse thread by Leon. It's in the Family Class section, pinned at the top. Make sure to mention you have medical issues and need a lawyer in Vancouver. I think there's a regular user in that section that might be able to help you.

You can also ask your question about the document number there (in one post). No one will care that it isn't technically about family class.

 

[Ryissa]

Thank you, I just did!

And this is a big ol question here. When I started this application process, I was doing it as an out-of-Canada process since I hadn't planned on staying with my husband for long periods of time yet. Since I'm staying with him now, do I have to re-do everything as an in-Canada application? I know the wait times will STINK compared to doing it out-of-Canada but it is what it is!

 

[amikety]

Thank you, I just did!

And this is a big ol question here. When I started this application process, I was doing it as an out-of-Canada process since I hadn't planned on staying with my husband for long periods of time yet. Since I'm staying with him now, do I have to re-do everything as an in-Canada application? I know the wait times will STINK compared to doing it out-of-Canada but it is what it is!

No, you can do Outland. I am and I "live" in Calgary. (I'm a visitor.)

 

[Ryissa]

No, you can do Outland. I am and I "live" in Calgary. (I'm a visitor.)

Oh that is so good to hear! I'd basically be the same as you - visitor, but "live" in the Vancouver-ish area.

 

[amikety]

Oh that is so good to hear! I'd basically be the same as you - visitor, but "live" in the Vancouver-ish area.

What Visa Office are you using? You can take a look at their spreadsheet to get an idea of how processing is going.

For example, I'm American and apparently Ottawa is in the USA, cause that's where my application goes. When I look at the spreadsheet, I can see people are getting through in 7-8 months in most causes even though Ottawa lists 13 months.

There's several forum members in Vancouver My husband is desparate to go out there again!

 

[Ryissa]

You know I'm a little confused on that, actually! The checklist guide I have says to send off all the completed information to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, ON. But now I've been reading about the Visa Office in Ottawa, too! Ack! Good thing I'm not yet ready to send this off yet, because I'm having doubts Mississauga is the right place to send everything to!

 

[amikety]

You know I'm a little confused on that, actually! The checklist guide I have says to send off all the completed information to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, ON. But now I've been reading about the Visa Office in Ottawa, too! Ack! Good thing I'm not yet ready to send this off yet, because I'm having doubts Mississauga is the right place to send everything to!

If you're American, you mail the entire application to Mississauga, BUT you write Ottawa as your Visa Office on the application.

Mississauga does the sponsor approval. (SA, Stage 1). Then it forwards the application to your home Visa Office. For some reason, American's "home" VO is Ottawa. They do Stage 2 in Ottawa (or whatever the home visa office is). They approve the applicant and verify the genuineness of the relationship.

To annoy the Canadian, I tell them it's a sign we won the War of 1812.

 

[Ryissa]

If you're American, you mail the entire application to Mississauga, BUT you write Ottawa as your Visa Office on the application.

Mississauga does the sponsor approval. (SA, Stage 1). Then it forwards the application to your home Visa Office. For some reason, American's "home" VO is Ottawa. They do Stage 2 in Ottawa (or whatever the home visa office is). They approve the applicant and verify the genuineness of the relationship.

Ohhh, okay! So on my Generic Application Form I would write "Ottowa" in the #4 question "Immigration Office requested for processing this application"?

To annoy the Canadian, I tell them it's a sign we won the War of 1812.

Haahahaha! Every time I hear something like that I keep thinking of the "War of 1812" song done by The Arrogant Worms.

 

[amikety]

Ohhh, okay! So on my Generic Application Form I would write "Ottowa" in the #4 question "Immigration Office requested for processing this application"?
Haahahaha! Every time I hear something like that I keep thinking of the "War of 1812" song done by The Arrogant Worms.

Yes, write Ottawa, CPP-O, or CPP-Ottawa. It's all the same thing. (Case Processing Pilot - Ottawa)

 

[Ryissa]

Yes, write Ottawa, CPP-O, or CPP-Ottawa. It's all the same thing. (Case Processing Pilot - Ottawa)

Thanks so much! I swear I would be completely lost without helpful members like you here!