Buff Jan/Feb '04 Applicants. PP request in!!!

Canada Immigration Forum (discussion group)

Subject: Buff Jan/Feb '04 Applicants. PP request in!!!

Hi All ?

Here are my updates and advice.
I hope it helps:

American Skilled Worker living in Toronto ? Applied Buffalo

1. Moved to Toronto Aug 2003
2. Started application Oct 2003
3. Completed Application Jan 30, 2004
4. Application received by Buffalo - Jan 31, 2004
5. AOR - Feb 18, 2004
6. Status update received - March 2004 (I got the update after I faxed for a status request. I was told I would be assessed no earlier than end of Sept 2004)
7. Initial assessment complete and notified to obtain US police clearances, medicals and pay fee (No RMCP clearance required, but got the RCMP fingerprints done ? just in case) ? Oct 15, 2004
8. Took medical exam Oct 19, 2004.
9. Paid fee and submitted US clearance - Nov 19, 2004
10. Medical Results received by Buffalo Dec 20, 2004
11. Requested status update via fax - Mar 2
12. Recvd letter that ?PP Requests would be issued shortly? - Mar 9
13. Received PP request ? March 18
14. March 24 going to Buffalo to get my passport stamped and coming back to Fort Erie to land!!!

Here is some advice based on my experiences:

1. Do not rely on e-status. My medicals were received in Dec, but e-status wasn?t updated until March. Until March, e-status only said ? ?In Process. Your application began processing Feb 14?. The only thing e-status is good for is updating your address. Not worth your energy to stress over what is or is not on e-status
2. Order CAIPS Notes. I know on this forum there is a lot of debate on this. I ordered my CAIPS in Jan 2005. From CAIPS, I was able to confirm that my final fee and police clearance was received. Also, I confirmed that my medicals did get to Buffalo. Note: CAIPS is challenging to read. Be sure to order the coding kit (or just find the coding kit on this forum). I read my notes at least 5 times before I understood everything. It made me feel good to know that I could actually confirm that everything I sent was received and logged on my file. I also saw that each time I contacted Buffalo (i.e additional docs, work permit renewal etc), it was logged on my file. CAIPS also showed me that even though everything was received by the end of Dec 2005, they were not going to look at my file until Feb 1, 2005. I pretty much gave up on getting any more information until mid to late Feb. That was great because I was able to take a ?time out? from all the wait. If Buffalo had a ?customer service dept? who could answers via phone (like a credit card company customer service dept) requesting CAIPS would not be needed, but since we can not call to confirm receipts of items, order your CAIPS. My advice, don?t order until after your initial assessment and you have submitted additional documents
3. Research the forum for answers before you post a question. There is already a lot information on the forum. Chances are: the question you have has been asked at least once before. I know personally, I have given information to people on the exact same topic 3 times. After that, I stopped responding. Look before you ask
4. Try not to be obsessed with the forum ? this is such a great tool, and I?m glad I found it. I learned about other people?s trials, CAIPS notes, timelines, taxes, car imports etc, but it can easily become obsessive. I know I was on the forum day and night just trying to find one more answer.
5. www.cic.gc.ca has lot of good information on immigrating to Canada. Another good tool for the ?official? government information

That?s all I can think of for now. I really hope my experiences help at least one of ya?ll (as we say in Texas)
Thank you to everyone on the forum for you input and advice over the past few months. I have to say that I?ve learned a lot, and you have made the immigration process a little more tolerable.

Thank you :)

[22-03-2005,17:27]
[**.95.36.9]
Texas