+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

dno10010

Newbie
Jul 19, 2012
1
0
Hello,

I am a US citizen being sponsored by my common-law partner who is in Quebec (native-born).

If anyone has been in a similar situation, please let me know your thoughts!

Jan 2012: Application Sent to Mississauga
April 2012: Sponsorship Approved (according to eCas, we DID NOT receive any e-mail or letter)
May 2012: We request a new copy of e-mail sent so that we can apply for CSQ
June 28 2012: Message from Los Angeles saying my application for permanent residence has been approved, must send passport and photos for entry visa. I called Call Center because it seems too fast and I don't yet have CSQ, they tell me to send passport anyway.
July 5: Mail passport, receive signature confirmation that it is delivered on July 7
July 18: Message from Los Angeles saying I must send them CSQ within 60 days
July 19th: FINALLY receive letter from Mississauga and immediately submit application for CSQ

The problem is that CSQ will probably take a month. The visa office now has my passport and it doesn't seem like they are planning to send it back until processing is complete.

I need to travel for work. Must leave the country on August 24.

Is Los Angeles really going to hold my passport for up to 2 months while this gets sorted out? Can I request its return? Will requesting its return mess up the application process?
 
You are visa-exempt, so what LA should have requested is copies of the pages of your passport. Visa-exempt PR applicants no longer receive a visa counterfoil in their passport, so they do not need to submit the actual passport. Advise them you need it back urgently for travel, and send copies of all the pages in its place.