My application got transferred to Los Angeles from Buffalo in January. This afternoon I got a package in the mail from the consulate office in LA. I was really hoping it had my AIP letter, but instead it was all my photos I had sent mailed back to me and a letter saying that the officer had looked at them and made note of them and that I would hear back from them when any new information becomes available on my file. I was actually quite happy to get this because it means someone is actually looking at my application instead of it being in a stack somewhere.
I thought it was nice of them to send me back all my photos since I figured they would just get thrown away once they were done with them, but I also thought it was kind of odd. Anyone else had their photos sent back once they were done looking at them?
Based on reports in the forums, it appears that they do not send back photos or other submitted items more often than not, but many do report getting them back. (We didn't get anything back from Buffalo.)
I would take it as a very good sign that processing is nearly at an end, and that, at the least, there is no question about the genuineness of the relationship. So as long as other technical requirements are met and there are no inadmissibility issues, I'd bet afavorable "decision made" is soon to come.
There is no AIP for out-of-Canada applicants, by the way; that is an "inland" preliminary/intermediary decision not applicable to the out-of-Canada application process.
I think you have good news on the horizon.
Isn't there some kind of letter though saying that they've approved your visa and asking for your passport or something?
I need OHIP (since I'm about to pop a baby out) haha...I was told there would be some kind of letter before I actually land that would say that my application was accepted and that would be good enough to go ahead and get on OHIP's list.
If you have valid temporary status and you reside in Ontario, you may be able to apply for OHIP before PR is granted.
OHIP Eligibility Criteria – Changes to Regulation 552
On April 1, 2009, changes to the OHIP eligibility rules under Regulation 552 under the Health Insurance Act became effective. How do I know if I am affected by these changes?
The changes may impact your eligibility for OHIP coverage if you belong to one of the following groups:
- Temporary foreign workers with open work permits and their family members
- Participants in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and their family members
- Persons who have applied for a grant of citizenship under section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act (Canada) (i.e. children adopted internationally by Canadian citizens)
- Persons who have submitted an Application for Permanent Residence
- Persons who hold a Temporary Resident Permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
- Ontario residents pursuing educational opportunities outside of the province
- Interprovincial movers requiring admittance into a long-term care facility upon arrival in Ontario
- Charitable workers on out-of-country assignments and their family members
- Missionaries currently on out-of-country assignments and their family members
For more detailed information about OHIP eligibility and the changes to the OHIP eligibility rules:
If you have questions about your eligibility for OHIP coverage under the new policies, please contact INFOline at 1 800 268-1154 or visit your local
Service Ontario – Health Card Services – OHIP office.