Ancestory Visa Documents

[LMC]

Hello Everyone...LMC here from Edinburgh...good to meet you..

I'm a Canadian from the Vancouver area, 55 yrs old..I arrived here Sept 2nd and have a ticket for 6 months...I am/have moved here..love it..feel so at home. I was under the impression that I could stay the six months come back to B.C., stamp my passport and catch the next flight back to EDI ..I was wrong.... I also wanted to apply for my Ancestral Visa here...my Grandfather was born in Edinburgh (1884)...I had a feeling that perhaps I should go and double check my situation for moving here with someone from UK Border Agency..their website didn't have all the answers. So off I went to Glasgow yesterday..just hoping I could sit down with someone face to face and have my questions answered...on the train there..I had a sinking feeling ...I arrived in an absolute down pour...found my way to the agency via the underground..thanks to google maps..and found the door locked. A Large border guard approached me and asked if he could help. I asked about my returning to Scotland imediately after touching down in YVR (Vancouver)..no..he said..I can't do that..have to remain in Canada 6 months to a year..thought I'd faint right there infront of him..my Man lives in the north..no way we are being apart that long..no way.. The guard was very keen to brush me off...I said, my Grandfather was born in EDI...and he changed his tune some what..I asked if I could apply for the Ancestral visa from here in Scotland..no was his answer....he was of little help..So, broken hearted and soaking wet...I caught the very next train back to Edi..texted my Man all in a panic..what to do..my home is here...my love is here..he immediately left work and returned home to await me on chat..we live 200 miles apart..and he started googling and this wonderful site and forum came up #1 on page one....as he read and as the entries unfolded of similar Canadians in similar situations..he knew we would find answers, and help for us. We had a teary chat full of anxiety and dread upon my return... Then, we put our heads together..common sense..thinking as one..and reading through the many encouraging entries here it all seemed doable and in short time...I read and reasearched all night long..and after several more chats..we felt alot better..this is so..long winded I know..but when hearts are involved with different countries and border rules..one can feel so helpless..and it's so reassuring to find people going through similar things.

It's so great the way you have outlined all the paperwork needed and being in EDI I am right here where the statistics and docs are kept so I can access my grandfathers birth cert..I have spent many happy hours in the Ancestral Scotland building..finding my family docs..all on line..so incredible to be there. So from here in the UK..I'm hoping I can access the long form of my father's birth cert (Regina, Sask) and mine..Victoria, BC and do you know if the certs can be mailed out to me here. My /our plan is to gather all my paper work here in the next 4 months and be all set to land in Vancouver go right to the embasy (is that where I go?) and get my app filed for my Ancestral visa right away..sounds so encouraging the short wait times..fantastic...my passport has 4 more years on it...I am set financially for any UK concerns re my supporting myself, but will be ready to work when I return in March...I like the fact that I don't need a work visa with Ancestral status.. I will continue to read all your incredibly helpful posts..to get me all set. A question is..as soon as I have my Ancestral visa in my hand...can I simply get on a plane and return to Scotland and my Man...I don't have to wait for months do I..please let me know...

This will be a huge weight lifted off our shoulders once the paperwork is in place and being processed..I am determined to to this properly, no mistakes...and be legally residing in Scotland..where my kin has lived before me..

Any and all tips, advice..info anything greatly appreciated...so happy I have found this group..8000 miles away from my previous home...

Thankyou very much..thankyou Canucks Abroad...
LMC