Timelines for papers once in Haiti

[castro]

We also contacted Ottawa which is the highest level of immigration and they asked that we write a letter of complaint with all our e-mails we sent to Haiti and the ones Haiti sent us, and they would investigate what was going on with our application in Haiti. I held off because we finally heard from them asking for us to redo our paper work. But now have reached a dead end, so I will be sending them the letter this time.

I have also heard, I don't know how true this. But if you do get your MP invloved they will take longer to process your application. They seem to answer back when my MP e-mails them to find out the status of our application, so who really knows....

They say that Port-Au Prince is one of the slowest Embassy's. And I truly believe it!!! Cause I see it!!!!!

[lexi]

Castor and Johana - did both of you pay the PR fee upfront? Were there children involved?

[castro]

Originally Posted by lexi

Castor and Johana - did both of you pay the PR fee upfront? Were there children involved?

Yes I paid the whole thing upfront, and no my husband does not have any kids.

[Johana]

Lexi,

I paid for everything upfront and my husband does not have any kids.

[lexi]

Well that just sucks. I was wondering if there were any hold ups that could cause Haiti to wait so long for the two of you. That is just crazy!! I feel for you both!

[mart0417]

there seems to be a hold up with everyone right now, I was at my MP's office yestersday and they are sending a letter to Ottawa asking what is happening down there, they are using examples I have given them but no names or file numbers, so not to slow down the process anymore.

They asked me to hold off on sending the "original" paperwork Haiti is asking for as Ottawa stated immigration never will ask for an original to be sent, they may ask for it to be brought along to an interview, not not sent

I will be leaving for POP on APril 11th we are going to go to Santo Domingo with all of our "stuff" in our hands. My MP promises some answers before I go.

It is all so frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fireman9119ca]

Hi Mart

Thanks for all the work you are doing with the MPs

FM

[mart0417]

I am really hoping they look into what is happening in Haiti, so others do not have to go through the same thing as we are.

[AnnaC]

Not sure if anyone read the article and my thread on Amendments to the Canadian Immigration system.

They say it is not intended to affect their objectives related to family reunification but you have to wonder.

This is why I hope you keep posting so we'll have new info on the timeline.

[lexi]

This was an article posted on the internet an hour ago.

A new Canadian bill that will fast-track immigration for skilled applicants and slow it for others may have implications for Indians.

Currently, Canada gets about 250,000 new immigrants each year, with the Chinese being the largest group. With India likely to overtake China as the number one source of immigrants for Canada this year, the new bill may have implication for would-be immigrants from India.

While skilled applicants who now wait in New Delhi for up to five years could enter Canada early, others may take the back seat.

The bill, which will amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and was introduced in parliament Friday, also gives the immigration minister the powers to set limits on the category of immigrants that are allowed into Canada each year.

The minister would also be empowered to reject a would-be immigrant even if immigration officers have cleared him or her.

Introducing the bill, Immigration Minister Diane Finley said it aims to "ensure that families are reunited faster and skilled workers arrive sooner." Currently, there is a backlog of over 80,000 applications for immigration to Canada.

The minister said: "One of the challenges facing our immigration system today is the large number of people waiting in the queue. This is especially a problem in the skilled worker category which makes up most of the backlog."

Under the proposed measures, she said, Citizenship and Immigration Canada would have greater flexibility in processing new applications, especially from skilled workers.

"The legislation is intended to provide greater flexibility in addressing a range of labour market needs. It will not apply to refugees and does not affect our objectives related to family reunification.

"Once passed, the new measures will apply to applications received on or after February 27, 2008. Those who applied prior to February 27, 2008, will not be subject to the new measures and will be dealt with fairly under the existing rules," Finley said.

All the three opposition parties are opposed to the bill that, they said, is aimed at shutting the doors on immigrants that Canada needs desperately.