In order to get things rolling, I
first had to send my application and application fee. The
application fee and Right of Landing Fee (ROLF) amounts were indicated in the Application Kit as well as on the
Citizenship
and Immigration Canada
web site. If my application was denied or if I successful applied but
decided not to land, the ROLF would refunded, but not the application
fee.
The Application Kit
included a checklist that explained how to arrange the
application for submission. That is what I followed.
After doing that, I added the H&C parts of my
application according the order suggested in the LEGIT
booklet. I used paper clips to keep together the
different parts of entire application. I typed out a
"List of Supporting Documents" that listed each
supporting document I was including. The list was the
topmost sheet in my collection of my supporting
documents. Rather than send original statements, I made
certified copies. Copies can be certified by a Notary
Public and some banks can certify a copy. When everything
was all set and ready to go, I photocopied everything that I
was sending, so I'd have an complete copy of what the
Canadian Consulate was receiving from me.
I sent my application with Federal Express. From Ottawa to
Buffalo it was under $25 CND and I was able to
track the entire progress of my packet through the FedEx
website. I sent my application to Buffalo because
applicants in North America apply through the Buffalo
Consulate.
According to
FedEx's tracking website, the Consulate received my
application on December 1, 1997. I received official
confirmation from the Consulate via postal mail three
weeks later on December 22, 1997.
The confirmation letter
included my file number, Applicant
Inquiry Form, and
Change
of Address Fax Form.
The file number is very important and everything sent to
the Consulate pertaining to the application should
include this file number.
The letter also informed
me that I could "expect to receive additional
information/instructions within approximately 16 weeks."
Expected time frames
for other things to come were given, but that was just a
general guide. The important time frame I noted was the
next action because delays may occur and different time
frames for subsequent actions could change, ie. in this
first letter they said my interview would be scheduled
"eight to twelve months from the date [my]
application was received" by the Consulate. The next
letter I got from them three months later merely said to
expect an interview in "approximately 12 months" (which I
took to mean 12 months from the date of THAT
letter.)
The Applicant
Inquiry Form
states that the Consulate cannot respond to case status
requests on files which are being processed within their
service standards and that such requests will be
discarded. What that means is, don't bother them if
they're not late. Keep in mind that they're very busy.
It's also worth noting that if they have to keep pulling
out a person's file because of nuisance inquiries about
the progress of the application there is a greater
possibility that the application could be misplaced or things going missing. In
the case of an H&C application, the approval of the
application is dependent on the kindness and
understanding of the Visa Officer. Becoming a nuisance
would be a very unwise thing to do, and there is no formal
appeal process for rejected H&C applications. At no
time did I contact the Consulate to ask about my
application because they did everything within the time
frame they indicated. It's hard to sit around waiting,
but that's all there is to do.
And before you know
it... there's another letter!
