We're APPROVED!!!
So, about 3 weeks ago CIC (Canada immigration and citizenship) opened up MyAccount on the CIC website. It had been opened to other types of immigrants earlier this year, but was now available for people filing for Permanent Residency through the "family class". MyAccount allows applicants to attach their applications to a personal account on the CIC website. MyAccount gives applicants more information on what is happening in the processing of their applications and provides better communication between CIC and the applicant.
Well, needless to say, I have been checking my account everyday since I linked it with my application for permanent residency. On July 22, 2016 my application was updated to show they were processing a background check and checking for eligibility.
When I logged in today, I couldn't believe my eyes. The first thing I saw was that my application had been closed. Closed? What? Why? I had a slightly confused and sinking feeling in my stomach. As I scrolled down the page, I saw " Review of eligibility: PASSED, Review of medical results: PASSED, Background check: COMPLETED, Final decision: This application has been APPROVED!!"
I'm in shock people!
From start to finish it took almost exactly 5 months to get approved!
We aren't cleared for take off just yet. I still have to wait for CIC to send me instructions and documentation for "landing" as a Permanent Resident (I will update you all on that once I receive the letter in the mail). I also need to start packing everything and figure out how I'm going to move all of my stuff out of country.
Wow, just so many emotions right now!
Until next time...
Below is an updated list of costs and the current total amount of money spent on the process thus far. All monetary conversions are based off of the exchange rate at the time the blog entry was posted.
ITEM COST SENT DELIVERED RECEIVED
FBI Background Check -- $18.00 --- 7/17/2015 ---- 7/22/2015 ---- 10/29/2015
VA Police State Check -- $20.00 --- 7/17/2015 ---- 7/20/2015 ------ 8/13/2015
Fingerprints (#1) ---------- $5.00 ---- 7/17/2015
Postage --------------------- $11.50 --- 7/17/2015
Passport Photos (4) -------- $27.36 --- 7/30/2015
Court Documents ---------- $2.00 ---- 7/30/2015
Passport (booklet) --------- $110.00 -- 8/7/2015 ----- 8/9/2015 ------- 9/15/2015
Postage/Money Order ----- $7.00 ----- 8/7/2015
DMV Driving Record ----- $8.00 ----- 8/7/2015
Fingerprints (#2) ----------- $10.00 ---- 8/10/2015
FBI Background Check --- $18.00 ---- 8/13/2015 --- 8/17/2015 ------- 11/14/2015
Postage ---------------------- $5.75 ----- 8/13/2015
Criminal Rehabilitation --- $200.00 -- 12/18/2015----- 12/18/2015 ----- 02/21/2016
Application Fee (CAD) or $160 USD
Passport style Photos(6) --- $34.36 ---- 03/07/2016
(CAD) or $25.87 USD
Medical Exam ------------- $334.00 -- 03/07/2016
(CAD) or $250.00 USD
Permanent Residence -----$1040.00-- 03/14/2016 ------- 03/16/2016
application fee (CAD) or $783.00 USD
Postage --------------------- $18.00 --- 03/15/2016
(CAD) or $13.55 USD
Undertaking Application-- $275 ---- 04/22/2016
(CAD) or $217.00 USD
Postage --------------------- $20.03 --- 03/15/2016
(CAD) or $15.81 USD
Current Total = $1707.84 USD
Thanks for reading! I hope you find this and future entries helpful!
Wow girl! Incredible! So awesome! It seems far easier and faster fir U.S. citizens to obtsin citizenship elsewhere, but rhe process fto anyone coming to U.S. is mych harder and years longer. So happy for you!!! I am surprised at costs. You had to stay diligent with all those steps & fees! Love you, and wishing you all the happiness in the world as a Canadian, eh. ;D
ReplyDeleteCanada has really stepped up their processing of applications since Trudeau became Prime Minister.
DeleteI'm not a citizen yet, only a Permanent Resident (sort of like a green card in the US). Will take 3-5 years before I can apply to be a citizen and I'm not sure how long that process is.
Thanks for the well wishes! I really appreciate it :D