Dominican obtaining work visa for Canada?

[trina]

Lesley: Thank you very much for the encouragement and 'good luck' wishes, I knew you would be rooting for us. I agree, my MP deserves a lot of credit. I'd reminded her when I spoke with her that she was formerly the Lead Critic for Opposition with regards to Immigration (in Parliament), and now it was a chance for her to 'put her money where her mouth was' and make a difference. She definitely rose to the challenge where many may not have. Betania and I had a practice interview yesterday, which was our fourth practice - we were still practicing even after she was declined, in hopes that things would turn around. We knew it would never hurt, so we continued as if the declination didn't happen. We will continue, and I am happy to report that she is doing very well. Our phone conversations are also now in English, whereas before, they were in Spanish. She also practices with her sisters who have taken many English courses, and speaks to friends who only speak English. Everyday, she surprises me with a wider vocabulary.

Bob: Thanks again for your kind words. I really admire you, you are a very good man for helping Yris' family the way you do. You are giving these girls an unforgetable experience and opportunity that they will always treasure.

cuas: The funny thing is, she sent all this documentation to Haiti with her original application (I hadn't known that she'd sent it to the Embassy until further conversations with her after the declination). She provided them with the University courses she's completed, as well as the subsequental English course documentation she is currently enrolled in. She has reached Level 5 of studies, FWIW. Haiti has somehow 'lost' that part of the file, according to my MP who had mentioned this to them. She will take these documents again to the interview. Thank you for your support!

[Lesley D]

You know me anything I can do from a language perspective just let me know. You know where to find me.


Have a nice day.


-LDG.

[trina]

Originally Posted by trina

Well, my MP, Diane Ablonczy, pulled through for us. Between her pressuring and my persistence, Vetania has an interview in August for the work visa. She will be informed in writing of the date. This, of course, does not guarantee a visa, however, the Canadian Embassy in Haiti is now answering to the Minister of Immigration's office (my MP and I also got the Canadian Minister of Immigration involved) on this file. While I remain skeptical due to not wanting to have false hopes, I am also very content that something further will come of this case, as Vetania was initally judged unfairly. Obviously, I am very happy with my MP's office, she really did come through on this - I don't think that communicating with an office like Haiti is an easy task, so I really give them credit. I will update more as more details unfold.

Well, it's been 2 weeks since notification that Betania will receive an interview in SD at the first set of interviews in August, and - surprise surprise - Betania still hasn't received notification of when her interview will be. I know, SHOCKING, isn't it? So I have sent yet another e-mail to the Manager of Immigration in Haiti, the Minister of Immigration in Canada, my MP's office, my contact in Santo Domingo, etc etc etc. I think I would rather pull all my hairs out, one by one, than deal with this Immigration stuff. I cannot believe that this is how our Immigration system runs, especially in light of our lack of labour resources.

[nikke]

Trina, your situation is a frustrating one. Keep pushing ahead. I am also dealing with a Dominican cousin of mine who is trying to visit Canada just to get to know this side of the family. I'll glady visit the Dominican Republic anytime but my mother, his aunt, is very ill and cannot travel.

I know that Canada is very careful about granting visitor's visas, and we have been receiving nothing but delays all along...at least you got an answer and have something to work with. Don't give up!

[trina]

Thank you Nikke. I have also been following your story with great interest. I wish you the best, and hope the visa is granted.

I am thinking of finding all the problems I can find on the web and sending the links to the Manager of Immigration's office. It would certainly make an interesting story for the Press, especially here in Calgary. I saw a sign outside of a Petro-Canada the other day that said, "WE NEED HELP. PLEASE APPLY." Can you imagine how the press would chew Immigration stories like this up? Perhaps then the government would get off their collective @sses and DO something about it, instead of blaming the previous Administration.

[trina]

***oops double post***

[trina]

Originally Posted by trina

Well, it's been 2 weeks since notification that Betania will receive an interview in SD at the first set of interviews in August, and - surprise surprise - Betania still hasn't received notification of when her interview will be. I know, SHOCKING, isn't it? So I have sent yet another e-mail to the Manager of Immigration in Haiti, the Minister of Immigration in Canada, my MP's office, my contact in Santo Domingo, etc etc etc. I think I would rather pull all my hairs out, one by one, than deal with this Immigration stuff. I cannot believe that this is how our Immigration system runs, especially in light of our lack of labour resources.

This is what has been sent to Betania from the Immigration Manager in Haiti. Once again, I am left speechless at our delinquent Immigration system.

Hello,
Unfortunately, due to summer staff turn around and delays in finding replacements for leaving staff in Haiti, we currently do not have enough personnel to conduct interviews in Dominican Republic for the month of August.

We expect that we will have enough resources at the end of August at best, at which point applicants will be contacted for the scheduling of interviews.

I understand that this may come as a disappointment to you and your client, but trust that you understand our situation.

I am calling on the help of fellow DR1'ers to let me know if they know of any interviews at all (family class, etc) being held in SD this month. I would like to know if this is just another excuse because they forgot to schedule her in, or something. I would never use the interviewee's name, and would only mention of knowing about a person who has an interview during August. Please PM me if you have any information.

Thanks,
Trina

[nikke]

Originally Posted by trina

This is what has been sent to Betania from the Immigration Manager in Haiti. Once again, I am left speechless at our delinquent Immigration system.


I am calling on the help of fellow DR1'ers to let me know if they know of any interviews at all (family class, etc) being held in SD this month. I would like to know if this is just another excuse because they forgot to schedule her in, or something. I would never use the interviewee's name, and would only mention of knowing about a person who has an interview during August. Please PM me if you have any information.

Thanks,
Trina

Well apparently my cousin has an appointment next week for his visitor's visa. The Embassy made the appointment for him on August 3rd when he was left waiting. I am not sure if the staffing issue arose since then, and he has not been advised of any cancellation. That said we will find out next week if he meets anyone. I will let you know what happens.

[trina]

Thanks, nikke. Needless to say, that does not surprise me in the least. I was positive that it was just another blunder made by the Embassy, they forgot to give her an interview, and now they're telling me no interviews will be conducted. I hope your cousin is not left waiting next week again!

Oh the frustration!

[Beads]

I love reading stories like this on DR1. Sounds like typical political red tape. I hope she gets her visa after all this work has been put in.

I wish you luck and dont give up!