March 2012 applicants, join here! : )

[blondie1216]

Final Update:

Passport Requested: Nov 7th, 2012
(Visa ready for issuance at lvo.)

Please update spreadsheet, and best of luck to everyone waiting.

Congrats your journey is almost over!

 

[KJG]

Final Update:

Passport Requested: Nov 7th, 2012
(Visa ready for issuance at lvo.)

Please update spreadsheet, and best of luck to everyone waiting.

awesome news......

 

[Dr Eng X]

Final Update:

Passport Requested: Nov 7th, 2012
(Visa ready for issuance at lvo.)

Please update spreadsheet, and best of luck to everyone waiting.

congrats

 

[computergeek]

is there any limit to order GCMS notes ?

I ordered notes every month. It was never a problem for me.

 

[Hunt71]

Hey Everyone:

When they finally ask for the passport. How do they notify you? Via email or a letter in the mail.
I assume they send all correspondence to the sponsor?

How does the visa process work and what are the next exact steps.

Thank You!

 

[santoki]

Hey Everyone:

When they finally ask for the passport. How do they notify you? Via email or a letter in the mail.
I assume they send all correspondence to the sponsor?

How does the visa process work and what are the next exact steps.

Thank You!

It depends on where your VO is. I believe you said yours is in Ottawa, so they will send you an email (could be by mail though) requesting a scanned copy of the passport. After that is anyone's guess because we just don't know yet. My PPR came on the 19th of October, and when I asked for an update on the COPR decision on the 31st, they said to allow 2-4 more weeks for final processing. My best guess is they send you a Decision Made email with instructions on what to do when you land. There is no physical counterfoil going into the passport, so you probably just arrive at the Canadian border with your passport and completed application (along with customs forms if you're moving anything) and they take care of the rest.

Anyone can feel free to add their best guesses as well

 

[blondie1216]

Hey Everyone:

When they finally ask for the passport. How do they notify you? Via email or a letter in the mail.
I assume they send all correspondence to the sponsor?

How does the visa process work and what are the next exact steps.

Thank You!

I think that if you are from a visa exempt country.. They will either use the copy of your passport from your original application. if not they will ask for a copy of passport and you will receive a COPR in the mail.. Haven't heard of anyone getting a COPR by email but every visa office is different.

 

[parker24]

Final Update:

Passport Requested: Nov 7th, 2012
(Visa ready for issuance at lvo.)

Please update spreadsheet, and best of luck to everyone waiting.

Congrats! I updated your line for you! You're now PURPLE! whoo hoo!!

If anyone notices their line is wrong, just let me know and I'll fix it

 

[santoki]

I think that if you are from a visa exempt country.. They will either use the copy of your passport from your original application. if not they will ask for a copy of passport and you will receive a COPR in the mail.. Haven't heard of anyone getting a COPR by email but every visa office is different.

Yes, that's right, I made a mistake on the Decision Made part. You'll more than likely receive the DM or COPR in the mail.

 

[kafkaesque]

Yes, that's right, I made a mistake on the Decision Made part. You'll more than likely receive the DM or COPR in the mail.

So still no news from Ottawa, Santoki? I think I got my hopes up when I sent in the passport copy- I was assuming it was like other VOs that request passports at the very end...

 

[blondie1216]

Congrats! I updated your line for you! You're now PURPLE! whoo hoo!!

If anyone notices their line is wrong, just let me know and I'll fix it

Hey I was looking at the spreadsheet and there are some people in pink.. I think it means PA approved.. What does that mean? And do you got through this process before you go in process?

 

[santoki]

So still no news from Ottawa, Santoki? I think I got my hopes up when I sent in the passport copy- I was assuming it was like other VOs that request passports at the very end...

I emailed them again on the 31st of October to ask if my case would be finalized by Ottawa or at the VO in LA. It was really just an excuse to get an update on my file. They emailed back within an hour and said it would be processed in Ottawa and to give them another 2-4 weeks to finalize everything. So, here's hoping they are true to their word...

 

[kafkaesque]

I emailed them again on the 31st of October to ask if my case would be finalized by Ottawa or at the VO in LA. It was really just an excuse to get an update on my file. They emailed back within an hour and said it would be processed in Ottawa and to give them another 2-4 weeks to finalize everything. So, here's hoping they are true to their word...

Thanks for sharing your info, I really appreciate it!!

Although when I just read that, I said "Uuuuugggghhhhh."

 

[santoki]

Thanks for sharing your info, I really appreciate it!!

Although when I just read that, I said "Uuuuugggghhhhh."

Well, when I surprisingly got PPR (after I emailed them for an update), I figured the turnaround wouldn't be very quick. Especially after about 5-6 more people on here got it around the same time. Oh well, either way my wife and I decided a long time ago that we'd move her up here to wait out the rest of the process in the middle of December. Hopefully the COPR comes in before that time so things go more smoothly. I'll be emailing them if I don't hear anything again in a couple of weeks to get an update on the status. I know there is a backlog, but if you request PPR and get a scanned copy the same day in return, it shouldn't take more than 6 weeks to finalize the decision.

 

[cdn1]

thanks everyone....

On a side note, all of our communication was by email. We had provided the email address to CIC on the forms, so that is what they used for everything.
Email from CPP-O, email from Paris office for AOR, and then email for PPR.

We did order the GCMS and we got it last week, it gave us a good idea on the application, you just have to read/analyze the notes carefully.
Email is so much faster, and visa offices in Europe are quite efficient in communication, unlike some of those offices in the 3rd world.
Nevertheless, the process is, thankfully, over for us.

BTW, they asked for 2 recent photos (PR Specifications) along with the passport, and a completed 1-page declaration(VO specific) which just asks for name, address info, etc.

I wonder where the 9 photos we originally gave are used, lol. Total photos = 11 for this!

We stayed away from unnecessary inquires to the visa office. Did not need any letters of support, or anything from family members. Just the marriage certificate, PCC, and labelled photographs were sent from wedding and reception, and 1 wedding invitation card with english translation. And after file transfer, sent a few skype conversation history printouts, fresh PCC and long-distance phone card call record from the phone for last 3-4 months. Photos from 1-2 outings together after marriage were also sent. It was a pain labelling each photo with details. We filled all the forms on the computer to avoid messy application feeling, and only provided what was asked.

Now we have to arrange the 3-month health insurance coverage.....

Best of luck to everyone and i hope everyone is united with their spouses/kids asap.
Remember to help others even after your process is completed if possible.