is it normal process time after medical exam

[atbajwa]

My case is at Canadian consulate Kingston, Jamaica. Me and my family appeared interview in October 2004 and my wife was pregnant and visa officer hold the medical till child born and I add him to application and paid the fee. We all appeared for medical exam on Feb 12th 2005. And last month I faxed them asking the status of my application as half of the validity period is over. They said that my application is still in process as they are waiting result of check from another govt department. Is it normal they took this much time or even if the entire period is gone then they ask you appear again for medical? Is it not strange?

[Kayalami]

What class is your application? You are undergoing background/ security clearance checks by Canadian Intelligence - nothing you can do with this.

What is your nationality and have you always resided there? Are there pertinent details in terms of possible inadmissibility under the Immigration Acts i.e. have you been arrested, indicted, imprisoned etc?

If validity of medical tests expires prior to completion of security checks you will all have to re-take them again unless the visa office processing your case specifically exempts you. This would be unusual unless they had it on their files that the checks were almost done - I am talking days/ weeks rather than months.

[atbajwa]

I never being arrested. Indicted or imprisoned infact no criminal record at any country I stayed for education and jobs and I did provide them police clearance certificates from all of these countries where I stayed more then six months. I applied under skilled migration program, I am from Pakistan for my job assignments I have been stayed at three different countries my parent company is at USA; presently I am working with Jamaican government at Kingston for their IT services from last four years.
They never asked for Police clearance from Pakistan as they normally never asked from Pakistanis; I don’t know why
Anyhow I can wait as I am not in hurry and if they ask me to redo the medical I will appear for it as no choice.

[Kayalami]

Pakistan among list of nationalities for whom security checks can take considerable time. Many practitioners in the field advice Pakistani applicants to ignore the "don't obtain PCC" so if I were you I would apply for one anyway. Since medical clerance part of process you would have no choice but to re-do the medical tests.

[heavymen]

atyalami
My case is similar to yours . I filed in August 2004 while my wife and i were resident in the US ( we are Nigerians ) . I took my medicals in March 05 . We moved to the carribean in May 05 . In June i was asked to pay the Right of Landing fee and since then , nothing . I am over half way through the validity of my medicals as well .

Kayalami
We supplied Police reports from all the countries we have lived - including the US . What could be taking so long ?

Thanks

[Kayalami]

Kayalami
We supplied Police reports from all the countries we have lived - including the US . What could be taking so long ?

CSIS (Canadian Intelligence) also do their own security checks in addition to those receieved from other law enforcement agencies. This may be likely the hold up. Not much you can do other than sit tight. Have you started reviewing in detail the job market in the area you intend to settle in to include any applicable regulations for employment in designated professions e.g. engineering . The Canadian labour market it notorious for its inflexibility towards skilled immigrants lacking Canadian qualifications and/ or work experience.

[heavymen]

Kayalami
We supplied Police reports from all the countries we have lived - including the US . What could be taking so long ?

CSIS (Canadian Intelligence) also do their own security checks in addition to those receieved from other law enforcement agencies. This may be likely the hold up. Not much you can do other than sit tight.

I guess thats all we can do . I spent a lot of time going through ALL the posts all this board, and now i have a better understanding of the process and realise that even CIC have their own problems . For instance , i wasn't aware of the class action suit and the effect of the ruling on pending cases .

Have you started reviewing in detail the job market in the area you intend to settle in to include any applicable regulations for employment in designated professions e.g. engineering . The Canadian labour market it notorious for its inflexibility towards skilled immigrants lacking Canadian qualifications and/ or work experience.

No , i haven't started actually . How would you suggest i go about this ? I should say however , than in between filing for the PR and now , we also sent in a DV entry and we won . We have since received the US immigrant visa . But i want to see the PR application to a logical conclusion , having spent soooo much money . And will then make a decision as where to live .

Does the Canadian labour market place value on experience working for a multi-national company ? Or even experience working in different countries ?

[Kayalami]

No , i haven't started actually . How would you suggest i go about this ?

It would be best if you tell me your intended occupation and destination. A significant proportion of jobs in Canada are through networking/ personal contact.

I should say however , than in between filing for the PR and now , we also sent in a DV entry and we won . We have since received the US immigrant visa . But i want to see the PR application to a logical conclusion , having spent soooo much money . And will then make a decision as where to live .

Given that it is not possible to be permanently resident in two places at the same time for an indefinite period and that there are physical residence requirements to maintaining PR status in both countries any plan to hold 2 PR's is likely to fail. Note that in particular to keep your US GC you must demonstrate that you have not abondoned the US as your place of permanent residence. Evidence to the contrary will see your GC revoked at any time even by an Inspector at the Port of Entry - classic question to those with Can PR and US GC when crossing back into US...where do you permanently live/ reside? Note too that were you to settle in the US you will have used up a Can PR visa that could have gone to someone else in the quota. Indeed a difficult choice and I wish you all the best.

Does the Canadian labour market place value on experience working for a multi-national company ? Or even experience working in different countries ?

IMHO such recognition is negligible/ rare unless said experience was with a subsidiary of a Canadian (registered/ incorporated) company.

[heavymen]

It would be best if you tell me your intended occupation and destination. A significant proportion of jobs in Canada are through networking/ personal contact.

Thanks Kayalmi . I have a bachelors in Electrical Engineering but work in IT with multiple MS Certifications .

Given that it is not possible to be permanently resident in two places at the same time for an indefinite period and that there are physical residence requirements to maintaining PR status in both countries any plan to hold 2 PR's is likely to fail.

I understand perfectly that i will have to give up one of them if/when the Can PR eventually comes through . I won't kid myself enough to think one can maintain both as i know they both have physical presence requirements - plus who can afford the costs of trying that ?

Note too that were you to settle in the US you will have used up a Can PR visa that could have gone to someone else in the quota.

This in particular makes me feel bad . If i withdraw my application for the PR , will it affect future requests for visitor visa ? That is what i am afraid of . However , after submitting my PR application , we applied for and got a visitor visas last year to come on vacation , even indicating on the VAF that we had a pending PR application .We still got the visa and visited Montreal.

IMHO such recognition is negligible/ rare unless said experience was with a subsidiary of a Canadian (registered/ incorporated) company.

Even if the company has a big presence in Canada ? Its a worldwide oil coy ..

[Kayalami]

Thanks Kayalmi . I have a bachelors in Electrical Engineering but work in IT with multiple MS Certifications .

Canada is awash with IT skills - unless you have experience in designated systems e.g. those pertaining to security in the finance sector. The federal government is another big IT employer but you need security clearance - without Canadian citizenship this is virtually impossible. Most IT opportunities in Toronto and Vancouver - note that these are Canada's most (shockingly) expensive cities.

I understand perfectly that i will have to give up one of them if/when the Can PR eventually comes through . I won't kid myself enough to think one can maintain both as i know they both have physical presence requirements - plus who can afford the costs of trying that ?

Many have tried to in the past but ultimatley get caught out when dealing with statutory matters requiring a residence declaration e.g. tax filing, crossing the border, applying for citizenship etc. It is best to obtain citizenship of one country then appply for PR in the other if such is still desired.

This in particular makes me feel bad . If i withdraw my application for the PR , will it affect future requests for visitor visa ? That is what i am afraid of . However , after submitting my PR application , we applied for and got a visitor visas last year to come on vacation , even indicating on the VAF that we had a pending PR application .We still got the visa and visited Montreal.

Person's with LPR (Lawful Permanent Resident) status in the US are visa exempt for visiting canada regardless of their nationality. You would need proof of such status e.g. your US GC at the relevant Canadian port of entry. Hence the matter of a visitor visa is moot. In all cases admission into Canada as a visitor is on the basis that you have a residence abroad that you will not abandon and hence overstay. Your US GC will be a significant positive on this since few GC holders break their conditions of admission. Make sure you have evidence of ties outside Canada and enough funds to cover your stay. Hope you enjoyed Montreal. Did you get a chance to go to Quebec City - I highly recommend it next time.

Even if the company has a big presence in Canada ? Its a worldwide oil coy ..

AFAIK doesn't make much of a difference. Why I hear you ask? How many Canadians do you think are already working for this O&G major in Canada? Don't let this hold you back though. There are immigrants who are success stories and with the current oil prices there is corresponding growth in the industry (Alberta). Ultimatley my experience is that those who immigrate/emigrate just for more money/ to get a better job end up very frustrated unless you are moving to a job you have already obtained prior to the move e.g. intra company transfers. In the short to medium term you have to accept a step backwards in your career. The HSMP forum on the UK section shows this to be a global issue not just one afflicting Canada. For many this is a real shock and causes anger and bitterness against the system but ultimatley its the employers who have to be more accepting of immigrant skills.

Good luck

[heavymen]

Thank you Kayalmi .
Kind Regards .

[atbajwa]

here is the updated from my case:

Finally they called me for second round of interview last week. I asked my interview officer way interview for second time, he told me thats routine interview after after background and secuirty checks. Any how he friendly officer and inteviws last for less then 30 minutes; main issue was my pre-college studies as they assumed it was military training because of the name of the school + they asked some routine security question as I travel a lot due to my job profile and I am not permanent resident at visa post country. At the end he told me as its all set and final by now I should hear by two to three weeks and if I didn’t then I should call immigration section. I am keeping my fingers cross to do landing by earlier next year.

I do concern about the visa quota from this year at my visa post (kingston). if its finshed then no chance for visa stamping in this year; I can look forward to have it earlier next year as my med will be expiring in Feb.

Earlier this month my e-client got change with these wording " Medical results have been recieved" and hoping soon it will be changed to "Decision Made; Office will contact you shortly"