I'm on a work permit here in Quebec since Jan 2009. I got my csq and sent the federal application at buffalo
Here's my time line:
Applied for CSQ: July 2009
CSQ Received: Feb 2010.
Federal app sent to buffalo: Feb 2010
Federal app returned (**see below): March 2010
Federal app re-sent to buffalo: March 2010.
Cashier check cashed: 13 April 2010
still waiting for AOR....
**That's a tricky one, I think new applicants should watch out for: I have read so many posts on this forum that recommend a CSQ applicant to send a completed and signed application along the CSQ application if u're applying in montreal office, since there's some kind of agreement between buffalo office and montreal office that may save u a couple of months off. Two things might happen when you do this:
1 - You get your federal app stamped by the MICC,
2 - And they MIGHT give you the medical forms right away, so you can send the app kit, meanwhile take the med exams and send them directly to buffalo.
I don't know the rule for the second point, but for some reason I was not given the medicals with the CSQ. I got my federal app stamped by the MICC with the date 20th of June 2009. I HAD FILLED THE FEDERAL APP IN JUNE 2009 AND THAT'S WHY THE APP WAS RETURNED, BECAUSE BUFFALO CLAIMED THAT I DIDN'T REPORT WHERE I LIVED OR WHAT WAS I DOING FROM JUNE 2009 TILL FEB 2010.
That's why the application was returned which is pretty stupid, since nothing's changed between the 2 dates, but anyway i filled the "missing" info and resent the application.
Hope that is useful so that ppl avoid that pitfall.