No Interviews Scheduled in the past month or so?

[Malrothien 6]

That's what is so weird about Canadian immigration. There is *no* interview. You go to the office on your landing day, hand over your photos for your PR card, they ask you if you've committed a crime, you sign a paper, then you're done!

that's interesting, but what's the approval rate like? what things do people get denied for?

i don't know where my fiancee and i are at getting packet 4. last i heard it was taking 6 weeks for that. is that still the case or is it taking months and months?

i always wanted to be a fall bride

They can be denied for the same sorts of reasons that US immigration can deny you. However, on my landing day, there were about 65 people - not a single person was turned away and denied. You pretty much go in that day knowing you're landing and becoming a PR.

That's what is so weird about Canadian immigration. There is *no* interview. You go to the office on your landing day, hand over your photos for your PR card, they ask you if you've committed a crime, you sign a paper, then you're done!

Ok well, Canadian equivalent of an 'interview'

No kidding, hey?

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Guess I might get the January interview I want. End of November and the month of December is blackout dates for holidays for my fiance and he wants to be there for the interview... so it may not be such a bad thing.

Will still probably send a letter to his congressman anyway, maybe it'll do something for others in the future.

Edited September 4, 2009 by Rhiann

[Danu 19]

Guess I might get the January interview I want. End of November and the month of December is blackout dates for holidays for my fiance and he wants to be there for the interview... so it may not be such a bad thing.

Will still probably send a letter to his congressman anyway, maybe it'll do something for others in the future.

Just remember, if you do get a date earlier (say in December), be careful if you want to reschedule...you get bumped to the back usually another 2-3 months wait.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Guess I might get the January interview I want. End of November and the month of December is blackout dates for holidays for my fiance and he wants to be there for the interview... so it may not be such a bad thing.

Will still probably send a letter to his congressman anyway, maybe it'll do something for others in the future.

Just remember, if you do get a date earlier (say in December), be careful if you want to reschedule...you get bumped to the back usually another 2-3 months wait.

I wouldn't reschedule if I got a December interview.

I think I'd do fine without him, and he's sick of waiting anyway

I'm sure he'd rather not be there than it getting bumped 3 more months.

[mikey78 6]

The crappy part about all of this? Vancouver USED to process immigrant visas. Why did they stop????

So did Calgary, until about 10 years ago. I asked the ambassador to Canada (in a web chat) - I believe he said it was a directive of homeland security and they know it is a big hassle for everyone to travel so far and - he may have said they are sorry, can't remember.

Then a few months later they cut the panel physicians down to 4 for the whole country.

What would be good would be someone writing an article about it - comparing how immigration to Canada is handled in the U.S. vs the other way around - number of consulates, wait time for interviews etc.

Trailmix...who do you think would be interested in publishing such article? I mean if one takes effort of producing something like this, at least it should have some impact...

From what I read, in some countries, local governments/foreign ministers had a word with US ambassadors to their countries concerning the level of service they provide...especially in some eastern european countries where they still have visas to the US and it worked, the whole process got a lot more transparent and smooth...I guess no one in Canadian government would care about potential immigrants from Canada, they are leaving the country anyway

[Rhiannercakes 14]

It's frustrating that people from the other side of the world get interviews way faster than us. I mean, we're connected to America by land and have a visa waver program with them. (Aka good relations).

It'd be so nice if something could be done to really get Canada's butt in gear and get help with immigrating Canadians to their neighbour country. I mean, we're Canadian. We're cool people

(Not to say no one else is, I just like my country )

Edited September 4, 2009 by Rhiann

[lgg 2]

What? I've been gone for like 6 days and nothing for my fellow canadians? K1 or CR1/IR1s? Really? For real? This is so worrisome. it's like Montreal has come to a complete stop.

Hi everyone, had a nice Labour day in the US with my husband and frankly? It sucked big time having to come back especially since we have NO idea when we'll get an interview (if ever... ) and now it seems like it might even be in the new year -- quel drag.

[bogartnoir 1]

What? I've been gone for like 6 days and nothing for my fellow canadians? K1 or CR1/IR1s? Really? For real? This is so worrisome. it's like Montreal has come to a complete stop.

seriously. the second anyone gets ANYTHING post here first!!! :\

[trailmix 77]

Trailmix...who do you think would be interested in publishing such article? I mean if one takes effort of producing something like this, at least it should have some impact...

From what I read, in some countries, local governments/foreign ministers had a word with US ambassadors to their countries concerning the level of service they provide...especially in some eastern european countries where they still have visas to the US and it worked, the whole process got a lot more transparent and smooth...I guess no one in Canadian government would care about potential immigrants from Canada, they are leaving the country anyway

I personally think quite a few papers might pick it up - they love articles about how unfair the U.S. is to Canadians

And yes, really we should be the ones complaining to our government officials about our poor treatment (in terms of interview wait times, distances to travel for both the interview and medical) - that might change things if they hear from enough people.

In fact, I am going to do just that - complain to my MP. Oh and I do think they will care, while you might be leaving the country they know you have friends and relatives here who aren't immigrating and those are the voters! Plus it wouldn't hurt for the U.S. citizen to complain about the same thing to their representatives.

Edited September 8, 2009 by trailmix

[Flames9_RN 358]

Keep in mind, only a small fraction probably even know about VJ!!

[lgg 2]

Hey all, yeah that's what I was thinking too, as soon as anyone gets anything or hears anything post it here or somewhere just as relevant. As said per Bogart...

I agree with Trailmix... they WILL care and it's just frustrating, I mean absolutely NO disrespect, but all the other people from really high-fraud countries are ZOOMING by and into the US no problem, no waiting. Whereas we here in Canada, super low fraud are totally given the big middle finger.

I dunno. It's a big of a sucker punch to all of us who freaking crammed to get stuff in and done and whatever only to have to wait. If nothing goes on this month, I'm going to have to do something. Hell, I'm a writer, why don't I write an article about it?

And Flames? That's what's scary... we're just a very SMALL percentage of applicants and thus, statistics dictate by our small cross sections that NO other Canadian applicants are being interviewed either!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Keep in mind, only a small fraction probably even know about VJ!!

Not sure why Cdn MP's would care??? The USA spouse should be complaining to the member of congress, as the consulates are staffed by Americans for the most part. I would say on here how I feel about it, as many would disagree,lol

[lgg 2]

I think you should say it -- I'll be real honest here, it's hard for me to see the forest for the trees and I think I'm like most people -- we want OUR stuff finished and want OUR interview and such and once it's done, we probably won't care from minute to the next what, if any changes, are implemented, you know? It's a very monothematic way of thinking, I find but I sure wouldn't wish it on anyone...

Keep in mind, only a small fraction probably even know about VJ!!

Not sure why Cdn MP's would care??? The USA spouse should be complaining to the member of congress, as the consulates are staffed by Americans for the most part. I would say on here how I feel about it, as many would disagree,lol

[trailmix 77]

Keep in mind, only a small fraction probably even know about VJ!!

Not sure why Cdn MP's would care??? The USA spouse should be complaining to the member of congress, as the consulates are staffed by Americans for the most part. I would say on here how I feel about it, as many would disagree,lol

Shut up and wait your turn??

Well I was just thinking that a Canadian MP would care because, as I mentioned, while the immigrant isn't going to be voting in Canada for a while all of their family and friends probably will be.

Plus it is their JOB to represent us.

[Flames9_RN 358]

No, i will keep most of it to myself,lol as many will say that since I'm in the USA now and with my loved one, I just don't understand,lol And the process was faster back in 2004. I truly wish it was faster for ALL countries,and maybe one day it will be, but due too terrorism, I doubt it! The 1 thing i will say, and maybe its a thing that should not be considered--I have been to many countries were I am amazed on how people survive, totally blows my mind they live in those kind of conditions ( I was in the cdn military) and here I (was) in canada with all these luxuries. How Lucky I was (still am,lol) I guess I just look at things that i know others have it FAR worse than I (us Canadians) and yes i know their are Cdns that suffer as well. Just my 2 cents,lol I don't jot this stuff down to cause a ruckus or hurt people feelings,just my 2 cents,lol