It sucks to get married and have to spend so much time apart from the man you love and want to spend the rest of your life with. But, we have been through so much already and have already had our patience tested that this next phase should be a breeze....at least that is what I hope.
Where are we? Well, I officially received Furman's Immigration Documents on Friday January 27th. He had to send his stuff to me so that I can add the stuff they require from me before mailing to them. So, I did my happy dance and was well prepared to add them to my already completed Immigration Documents that evening. Yes, while I was waiting for him to complete his part, I was completing and putting together my part. Gathering necessary documents the Sponsorship Application requested, etc. Good thing I did too, because when I got his half, I was ready to go. That Friday evening I had everything spread out all over my ottoman and carefully went through the document checklist to make sure that everything was completed and ready to package. Furman, being the wonderful organized man he is, already had his part neatly organized and filed in plastic sheets. So really and truly, I didn't have to go through his stuff...just had to make sure that I didn't forget anything myself and put things in the order requested. It was quite exciting I must say. I wanted to chill out at home with a nice glass of wine ( I don't usually drink at home but thought it was a special occasion to do so - alone) and get it all together. But, I didn't have the glass of wine after all...figured that could possibly mess up my focus and make me mess up something. Good thinking!! Then, Saturday morning, I was out the house by 9:45am to catch the post office because I wasn't sure what time mail pickup was on Saturday and wanted to make sure to catch it. What a waste that was....lol There was no Saturday mail pickup in my area. So, my Immigration pkg had to sit at the post office for the rest of the weekend till Monday pickup. I was smart to send everything Express Post in a nice bubble wrapped envelope with expected delivery to Mississauga Case Processing Center for Tuesday. That's where we are!! Just waiting for the office to receive our documents and hopefully not sit on them. In the meantime, I have started marking my calendar so I can keep track of how long it takes for this to finally end and Furman to be home.
From what I have read, it takes about 2 months for them to go through the documentation to approve me as a Sponsor. The Case Processing Center is to make sure that we have all documents requested and that everything is signed. They make an approval and then forward to a Visa office and that is where the rest of the wait is. This could take up to 12 months. I am hopeful though, because despite what the website forecasts, I have heard that some have gone through this process and have actually come out after only 4 months of waiting. So, say a prayer for us and feel free to comment and/or ask questions below.
In the meantime, I am expecting to spend the waiting time with Furman as he comes to visit in March. As a visitor he is allowed to be in the country for up to 6 months, all I know. While he is here he can help me train for my 10K race in April and we are registered to do the Spartan Sprint in June. Oh, but not until after he completes the Toronto Goodlife Marathon on May 6th. Can't wait to see my husband.....will make all this wait time that much more bearable!!!
Documents in the mail......The Countdown Begins!!!
Documents in the mail......The Countdown Begins!!!
Thank you for linking up with us and sharing your story Mrs. White:)
ReplyDeleteIt is now May, so is Furman visiting you now? How is it going with all the paperwork?
I wrote in my blog "Being Delivered" about Furman's arrival for an extended visit. He is supposed to be allowed to visit Canada for up to 6 months so he came March 2nd. However, I wrote a new blog "Run-In with Immigration" about some problems we recently encountered when we had to drive across the border and now they are giving him till May 15th to leave Canada unless we provide them with documentation that they didn't request when he arrived but are now requesting. In the meantime, we are waiting to receive an email from Immigration with a file# to indicate that they have started processing our application. Their website indicates they are on Feb 1st applications when ours was received by them Jan 31st. Hopefully we will receive something any day now so we can take back to the border as part of the documents they are asking for and they will allow him to continue his visit. On my blog "There Is Hope" a speak of a friend in a similar situation who just got his paperwork completed - only took them 6 months. So, I am hopeful and will continue to pray for our own immigration mess.
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