(no subject)

[arethinn]

The unofficial opinion of one of the resident immigration consultants on misc.immigration.canada, on seeing my CAIPS notes:

"Not much more information there. The Background check is done. You might want to send in a new FBI certificate now as the one you submitted was dated March of 2003. Otherwise your file is complete. They may or may not ask for a new FBI certificate so you would be covering all bases by obtaining a new one. I am assuming that you never indicated that you would be marrying your Canadian fiance and being sponsored."

(after a response that no, I am not trying to do any sponsorship thing)

"Well you passed and they are processing your case normally for a Skilled Worker. It should be finished soon. Good luck in Canada! Jim Humphries"

Dear gods I sure hope so. I am going crazy.

Comments

[graphxgrrl.livejournal.com]

How long from start to where you are now has your process taken, incidentally?

I'm submitting my skilled worker paperwork next month (theoretically) and my firm's HR people seem convinced that because they have immigration lawyers on retainer who are coordinating everything that it can all happen in less than a year. I'm *damn* skeptical based on what I've known of other people being processed.

[starlightforest.livejournal.com]

Application submitted May 2003
AOR (acknowledgement of receipt) July 2003
Initial assessment / interview waiver / request for medicals March 2004
Medicals submitted May 2004
Request for further medical test and updated employment and funds info July 2004
Employment and funds submitted July 2004, further medicals submitted August 2004

So start to present has been roughly 18 months. If the consultant is right I am basically waiting for the passport request now. I would be extremely skeptical of a claim of less than a year. AFAIK nothing a lawyer can do can make the processing go any faster. A few people on misc.immigration.canada have noted times up to 6 months just to get an AOR from Buffalo (which is probably where you'd be applying), although this is unusual (usual is more like 3 months). Something seems to be gummed up in the works, as it were. Have a look at CIC's estimate of processing times (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/times-int/2003-Q4/02-skilled.html#west) (Buffalo specifically is probably what you're interested in).

In short, don't hold your breath.

[graphxgrrl.livejournal.com]

*nod* I'd looked at the processing time estimates out of Buffalo (which is indeed where I'm applying through) and had pointed that out to the HR minions at some point. I'm not sure why they think a lawyer will make anything move any faster certainly, as once the paperwork is in the CIC's hands...

I fully expect to be needing to renew my work permit around this time next year rather than be getting a shiny PR card. ;)