Hi everyone,
I have 3 questions, if someone can help :
- What is considered a sensible time to order GCMS notes ? are they worthy for a citizenship application ?
- Single vs family ? paper vs online ? do they have the same processing times ?
- What is exactly ECAS ? I've read some answers that only paper based applications have access to it.
Thanks everyone
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. Everyone has different experiences. My application from submission to certificate took almost four years (covid period included). My family applied before about a year before I did but we got our interviews about two months apart, that could also have had an impact - we don't know.
Got GCMS notes twice. Both times, it took about a month, even though I didn't receive an acknowledgment the second time round. Can you do anything after receiving your GCMS notes? Absolutely nothing. It is just to read or get an idea where your application is stuck. It does nothing to expedite.
Online applications do not have access to ECAS aka the old system for checking application status. There is a separate thread for paper vs online, but there is NO certainty that either method follows a specific timeline. All information shared here is case specific and no two case are the same even in the same family.
However, I have the following suggestions :
1. Be ABSOLUTELY certain of the information your provide in your application with ZERO room for ambiguity for your time in Canada, esp if you arrived here from the Middle East and/or have a history of travel back during your eligibility period.
2. I believe that having regular salary slips and T4s makes an immense difference to the processing speed. Self employed people (with a history of travel) are highly suspect.
3. I have a theory about M-M-M-M which delays applications. Again this is based on a sample size of 3 individuals who I know personally and have faced similar scrutiny and long processing times. It stands for Mississauga - Middle East - (Single) Male - Muslim.
Good luck with what every route you choose or have already chosen. Remember to be 100% correct and truthful in your submission, however weird the facts look.
