They processed my ancestry visa in 1 day!

TSalvatore
Junior Member



Joined: 24 Oct 2007
Posts: 12
Location: Ontario

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:43 pm

 

---

"If I can help answer any questions out there about the process and what I specifically did then please let me know."

Taking you up on the advice.teskox

Any idea if it is this quick with other countries? I am a direct descendant of a WWII vet from the Polish detachment of the English Army. My father was recruited from a Siberian prison to help fight the Germans. Kinda cool story there. but I believe that I qualify for a Polish/EU passport because he left after the war to England and then to Canada, losing his Polish ties.

Any advice on how you got the info would help. When do you leave?
We've been dreaming/planning of going now for about a year and a bit. But with two teenagers to tag along, it's a little longer in the planning and pulling up roots here in Canada.

Cheers!

---

riverfox
Senior Member


Meow meow meow

Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 116
Location: Brighton

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:35 pm

 

---

Teskox - Going to answer this presuming you are going for an ancestry visa, I think you said something about ancestry but I can't remember ( sorry ).

- when I need to choose my reason for right of abode which choice should I use

You should choose: As someone who at birth was a citizen of the United Kingdom and colonies and has or had a grandparent born registered, naturalised or adopted in the UK.

I was advised that this was the correct option for someone applying for an ancestry visa by the foreign commonwealth office. However look over the other options and see if anything else applys to you.

- did anybody include a copy of a College diploma?

Not necessary but you can if you'd like. IT would definately help in the case of a work permit but I don't think it will make much of a difference with an ancestry app.

- should i include a copy of bank statement (like a printout from online td canadatrust

Yes definately do this. I printed out two copies of my online bank statements from two different months as well as included the yearly statement from my investments, and one paper statement. This was overkill, but hey it worked. You just basically need to prove consitency and that you have enough money to support yourself. I also blacked out all the account numbers on the sheets I sent in just to be on the safe side.

- should i say I'm going to live with my family to start?

Yes you can do, it would help. It would also help if you had something from a member of your family that you'd be staying with saying that you could stay with them.
This could be in the form of a letter or an e-mail. I was lucky in that when I was living in the UK previously I made some friends one of whom filled out a sponsorship form which guaranteed he'd be responsible for providing me with a accomodation when I arrived.

This form is available from UKVisas, he had them e-mail him the form but I'm sure it's available on the site.

- how much detail did you go into about prior trips?

Not very much, but then I've done quite a bit of travelling.

I gave dates and one sentance or in some cases one word on the purpose. Eg. mexico mid march /04 - april/04 - vacation. You don't need much detail.

- was your grandpa/ma's birth certificate red and white and full page?

You have the right of it, they accepted the red sheet which I think is pretty much the exact same thing you had.

Hope that helps.

---

riverfox
Senior Member


Meow meow meow

Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 116
Location: Brighton

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:47 pm

 

---

TSalvatore - Hello

I haven't done much research into the Polish end of the spectrum, but I believe most of the consulates give a conservative estimate about 2 weeks. It all comes down to workload and staffing, I think at this time of year you're bound to have a higher turn around time than if you apply mid spring and later.

It sounds like your relative led an interesting life! If you are applying for a polish passport your best bet is to look up information on the Polish consulate online. http://www.ottawa.polemb.net/

If your Grandfather had English citizenship you may be eligible for an ancestry visa.

Take care.

---

TSalvatore
Junior Member



Joined: 24 Oct 2007
Posts: 12
Location: Ontario

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:21 pm

 

---

Hey thanks, Riverfox

"If your Grandfather had English citizenship you may be eligible for an ancestry visa."

I had not thought about the ancestry visa for the UK. Both Mum and Dad were in England before coming to Canada. Mom worked as a domestic for the almost two years she waited for Dad to settle and send for her. When she finally got here, she had thirty days in which to marry Dad.

"It sounds like your relative led an interesting life! "

Yes, even though it was wartime, Dad had an amazing time. He told stories of his travels and I think that is where --ultimately-- the travel bug bit me. He was able to see Egypt, South Africa, and too many other places to mention. Including the inside of that Siberian prison. But, he said his favourite place was South Africa. He once told me that it was the most beautiful country he had ever seen.

Cheers!

---

riverfox
Senior Member


Meow meow meow

Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 116
Location: Brighton

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:27 pm

 

---

When she finally got here, she had thirty days in which to marry Dad.

Sounds almost like a shotgun wedding! I'm sure it's not the case but time limits are funny like that.

It's great that your dad got to see so much of the world, even if it was during wartime. I have a very good friend whom is from South Africa, and he's always maintained that it's a beautiful place and great to visit, but not as much fun to live in.

---

TSalvatore
Junior Member



Joined: 24 Oct 2007
Posts: 12
Location: Ontario

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:32 pm

 

---

Yeah, I guess it would have been a shotgun wedding if they had not spent time in Germany and England together during wartime. Apparently Dad was a bit of a player, Mom waiting one night for him outside the front of the Sargeant's Mess, caught him chatting it up with another out the back door! She stopped that one! They were already engaged!

I also had a friend, born and raised South African. He relocated to Canada on the advice of his parents (still in SA). He is afraid to go for visits now. His rental car was burgled as he walked back to it in broad daylight. He kept walking.they had guns. Apparently all the unrest and crime however do not pale the country's beauty and serenity.

I guess it is what you are used to though. I was born & raised in Toronto. I have now lived in Barrie for 11 years. I would not walk down the same streets that I used to anymore and I don't think it is just a function of the changing times. I think I've become less aware of my surroundings since I do not have to be on guard at all times anymore.

Where are you again?
Cheers!
Teresa

---

riverfox
Senior Member


Meow meow meow

Joined: 30 Dec 2007
Posts: 116
Location: Brighton

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:13 am

 

---

*laughs* It's great that you have that much of your family history available to you. My grandparents died when I was very young and I never had the chance to get to know them very well. Although I do know a number of generalities. My parents on the otherhand have led very normal lives without the excitement and intrigue that wartime can bring. Interesting in their own way of course. Simply different.

However reading your post painted a very vivid picture of what your parents must have been like. Your mother must be quite something to manage that.

I agree with you about South Africa my friend was telling me stories of how his shoes would continually get stolen in school simply because he *had* shoes. I would never consider going there alone, but in good company perhaps at some point.

As for where I am, I'm currently located in Victoria, on the West Coast, and I'll be moving to Brighton ( in the UK ) mid march once I have everything packed and sorted here.

Take Care
Kay

---

Teskox
Junior Member



Joined: 07 Jan 2008
Posts: 16

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:29 pm

 

---

has anyone declared a speeding ticket?

Hey I'm going to Brighton as well . I go once a year for 2 weeks currently .

---