VIENNA OFFICE

[smokovnitsa]

One more thing...
When VO conducting background checks they probably have to make contacts with agencies or governments in all the countries you lived in. It's unknown how long it takes for VO to get those feedback's.
There's lots of "parameters" in this process...

Anyhow Vienna is one of the fastest visa offices out there.

I don't know but I only know that 1st week of Oct my visa officer requested military book to "complete" my background checks!!! When I followed up by email end of November they were "proceeding with background checks". Unless they are talking about ones done by them and ones by CIGC, it makes no sense what so ever.

I read someplace, that "queue" is an old visa processing program, (not a pile of files on some VO's desk). Anyhow I wasn't even worried until a last month, now I am getting anxious a bit.

I re requested copies of CAIPS last week, so hopefully we get them this time... and see what stage we are in. I want to go and visit my spouse in Canada in May and stay over summer if this is going to be a never ending story. I just want 2 be sure that I am admissible before spending all money on ticket. Last time I went police officer sent me to immigration where I spent 3 hr in line, because they had my PR application in the system already. But they let me in . Since I am from visitor visa exempt country I just want to be sure that I am not red flagged or something before I decide to take off for a visit, take vacation and so on.

 

[Serdj977]

The worst thing is not knowing at what stage you are at... hopefully GCMS notes will reveal what's going on.
I hope that VO didn't get the idea that you're not in a hurry when you postponed your interview. I'm not accusing VO, this is just a thought.

You send military booklet and payed RPRF (did you send certified copy or original?). You will definitely know that VO is done with background checks when they ask you to redo medicals. Keep in mind that processing of your medicals will add 6-8 weeks of waiting...
Being from visa exempt country is great advantage but as you said be sure you're not flagged somehow. When I applied for visitor visa, lady that interviewed me in Belgrade embassy accessed to my file in Vienna and told me that Vienna is checking my admissibilities (security) and they are not allowed to issue visitor visa at this point. So... it can be tricky in your case and they might not let you in just cause your file is in some stage of background checks.

As I mentioned before your spouse can contact Member of parliament and ask for help. At least MP's can get trough and get you some useful information about your case. My wife's MP was helpful to us.

Here's link and how to find who is your MP. http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC

 

[krofnica]

Hey Srdj,
Cestitam!!! Najzad se sve zavrsilo....bas mi je drago!

 

[smokovnitsa]

The worst thing is not knowing at what stage you are at... hopefully GCMS notes will reveal what's going on.
I hope that VO didn't get the idea that you're not in a hurry when you postponed your interview. I'm not accusing VO, this is just a thought.

You send military booklet and payed RPRF (did you send certified copy or original?). You will definitely know that VO is done with background checks when they ask you to redo medicals. Keep in mind that processing of your medicals will add 6-8 weeks of waiting...


As I mentioned before your spouse can contact Member of parliament and ask for help. At least MP's can get trough and get you some useful information about your case. My wife's MP was helpful to us.

Thanx for info. I probably would not even be worried if they replied to my email follow up 2 weeks ago.

In the past they always replied properly, without much wait.,so not getting reply this time was odd, and makes me uncomfortable.

Yes I mailed certified translation & original of my military book.

I think i will wait 8 months(from Oct) before my spouse contacts MP, I keep hoping that if they put me in "the queue" at the beginning of Oct I have nothing to ask for 8 months. I don't wanna push their buttons. Hopefully we get notes next 30 days this time.

 

[allia_s]

I got my COPR!!! Issued: March 1, 2012.

11Oct2011 - Application received by CIC
15Dec2011 - Sponsorship approved
06Jan2012 - AOR
18Jan2012 - "In process"
1March2012 - COPR Issued
4March2012 - Ecas: "DM"
Landing: Soon, I'm already in Canada, I gave up waiting two weeks ago, I bought a flight ticket and I am here, happy with my husband. Three days after my landing COPR was issued. Well, I could be more patient

Hoping the best for all Vienna applicants!!!

 

[lucky rain]

I got my COPR!!! Issued: March 1, 2012.

11Oct2011 - Application received by CIC
15Dec2011 - Sponsorship approved
06Jan2012 - AOR
18Jan2012 - "In process"
1March2012 - COPR Issued
4March2012 - Ecas: "DM"
Landing: Soon, I'm already in Canada, I gave up waiting two weeks ago, I bought a flight ticket and I am here, happy with my husband. Three days after my landing COPR was issued. Well, I could be more patient

Hoping the best for all Vienna applicants!!!

OMG now officially I`m jealous grrrrr, Happy for you, but angry with those ppl in Vienna office , enjoy

 

[tajc]

@ Lucky Rain
You will be next.....and yes, I know how you are feeling grrrr, lol

 

[lucky rain]

;D ;D

 

[Serdj977]

Hey Srdj,
Cestitam!!! Najzad se sve zavrsilo....bas mi je drago!

Hvala! Nadam se da ste i vi dobro, sto vam i zelim

I think i will wait 8 months(from Oct) before my spouse contacts MP, I keep hoping that if they put me in "the queue" at the beginning of Oct I have nothing to ask for 8 months. I don't wanna push their buttons. Hopefully we get notes next 30 days this time.

Average processing time for Vienna is 8 months right now and it starts from the moment they received your application. You don't count those 8 months after the interview. You're case already exceeded average processing time last year in November, so you won't be "pushing their buttons" but try not to be annoying with emails. Anyway I'm just saying... it's up to you of course.

I got my COPR!!! Issued: March 1, 2012.

11Oct2011 - Application received by CIC
15Dec2011 - Sponsorship approved
06Jan2012 - AOR
18Jan2012 - "In process"
1March2012 - COPR Issued
4March2012 - Ecas: "DM"
Landing: Soon, I'm already in Canada, I gave up waiting two weeks ago, I bought a flight ticket and I am here, happy with my husband. Three days after my landing COPR was issued. Well, I could be more patient

Hoping the best for all Vienna applicants!!!

Congrats, that was fast! Under 6 months

 

[smokovnitsa]

Hvala! Nadam se da ste i vi dobro, sto vam i zelim

Average processing time for Vienna is 8 months right now and it starts from the moment they received your application. You don't count those 8 months after the interview. You're case already exceeded average processing time last year in November, so you won't be "pushing their buttons" but try not to be annoying with emails. Anyway I'm just saying... it's up to you of course.

Congrats, that was fast! Under 6 months

I am sorry to ask, but why did your application take so long (if not personal) and how long did your "extanded" background checks last?
was it long because of inhouse(by VO) background checks or CIGC?
Anyhow we decided to email the follow up email again, and see what happens and wait to see if we get any CAIP notes next couple of weeks, before we would contact MP.
(did your spouse contact MP by phone, email or letter?), and how long did it take for her to give you some answers? THANK YOU.
Sincerely.

 

[Serdj977]

I took longer because of my military service. I served during Nato attacks on Serbia in 99. I explained in my first posts of this topic.
I'm not sure how long did my BC last in total. VO start conducting BC when they receive your file so I guess it took 13 months in my case .
What stages do they have or how they do it I really don't know. Though it is known that one is screened extensively if there's military involvement or criminality issues. Those checks may take some time, 12-18 months or even longer in some cases.

I was in a queue for an interview (learned that from my GCMS notes) and that "queue" lasted for about 8 months. When our application exceeded average processing time we started sending emails.
Waited for reply more than 2 weeks and received answer we already know (I'm in the queue for an interview). In the meantime while we waited for that reply my wife contacted her MP's office.
Guy from MP's office emailed VO for followup and 4 days later I received invitation from Vienna to attend interview. That was the point in our case when things started to move on. Maybe that email from our MP started things for us again. I don't know, but I honestly believe it did. After the interview I waited for about 3 months and received request to redo medicals. I look on those 3 months as part of extended bc's (file was sent to CBSA in Canada) but no one knows anymore which part of BC was regular and which one was extended

My wife contacted MP's office by phone to get appointment and went in person. Office is near her place though.
Anyhow, make a call first. Then you will see how they can help and what information they need from you in order to help you. (Your file number, client ID number etc.)
They are usually very well informed about immigration processes and willing to help.

 

[lucky rain]

Well I have some news too, my husband called CIC yesterday and asked if they received my ROPRF. They confirmed that they received it and that they already sent it to Vienna , hm... Who knows, will see... At least I know that Vienna has my payment .

 

[Serdj977]

Well I have some news too, my husband called CIC yesterday and asked if they received my ROPRF. They confirmed that they received it and that they already sent it to Vienna , hm... Who knows, will see... At least I know that Vienna has my payment .

That's good, now you can relax
Who knows, if they already send it to Vienna, maybe Vienna requested that payment confirmation ;D

 

[lucky rain]

If only

 

[smokovnitsa]

Waited for reply more than 2 weeks and received answer we already know (I'm in the queue for an interview). In the meantime while we waited for that reply my wife contacted her MP's office.

At least they replied to you, it's been 3 & 1/2 working weeks for our query on follow up, and no reply.