ALL ABOUT GCMS - HOW TO ORDER, READ, & GENERAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED

[legalfalcon]

One of the most effective tools to know the status of your application and be aware of any pitfalls is to order GCMS notes. But, all new and veteran applicants have

What is GCMS?

GCMS (Global Case Management System) is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC’s) system used to process applications for citizenship and immigration. The system contains a detailed record of each applicant’s file, including correspondence from and to IRCC, documents received from the applicant, detailed notes from the officers reviewing the file among others. The GCMS notes are the only accurate way of providing an applicant with the in-depth view of his file on the IRCC system, thus enabling the applicant to be well informed of the status, or take pro-active steps as needed.

Under what law is the GCMS notes issued?

The GCMS notes are issued under the Access to Information and Privacy Act. AIPT is a federal law and any person can get access to information about him from the federal government. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/atip/requests-atip.asp

Does ordering GCMS slow the processing of the file or affect adversely?

The answer is NO. Ordering GCMS is your right and its does not affect your file or your case at all. On the contrary, in some cases since the officer working on your file has to review your file before it is sent out, does update documents received from other agencies and helps your file move forward.

Why cannot I get the same information over email or phone?

While email and phone calls are always an option, they do not provide a complete picture of your file. Only a specific question is asked and responded, most likely with a generic reply. Whereas GCMS notes are a exact copy of your file as they are on the system. It is the only accurate way of knowing what is happening with your file.

How can I order GCMS notes?

If you are a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent resident you can order the notes for yourself and others, however, if you are not a citizen and neither a PR, you will need a third party to request GCMS notes for you.

Which is the best place to oder GCMS notes?

This is a matter of personal choice, but there are a few things to keep in mind. I would highly recommend https://www.getgcms.com, which is new website designed by run by some of the former members at the forum, including me. There were various issues that came to light and the answer was GET GCMS. You GCMS notes contain very sensitive information and it should be protected under all cost. None of the existing services provide even the basis security features, which is SSL. This was the first thing that GET GCMS started with. Then, all organization who get electronic information should be handled and stored in accordance with the The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). While there are tough norms to comply, none of the current service providers follow these regulations. Another factor is price. Most of the applicants are from China/India. While the Chinese clients had the option to pay via Alipay, there was no alternative for applicants from India. Many people in India have credit or debit cards and they charge extra for foreign transactions. There was an urgent need to address this situation, and that is why GET GCMS decided to allow applicants pay in Indian currency with a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer.

While the government only charges $5, why do other service provides charge more?
It can be justified that sine they are providing a service, they are there to make a profit. However, there is an additional cost of maintaining the site, employees, compliance with the PIPEDA, in case of GET GCMS, and ensuring that the information collected always remains safe and secure. This is why these sites charge more. However, at GET GCMS, we started with a vision to provide more services to applicants and this is the first step. All income generated from GET GCMS, after deducting the costs, will be put into other projects to benefit applicants. There has also been a lot of dubious cases with consultants providing incorrect or incomplete information, so we collaborated with licensed lawyers to provide additional services through the site if an applicant wishes to get them.

Why would GET GCMS have this financial model?
The answer was simple. I got together with 5 other applicants who immigrated the same time I did. We are all professionals and didn't need this website to support us, so we decided to use the money generated by this for other projects. As we move ahead, I will keep you apprised of our work. Many of you may have interested with, or asked me questions. While I do try my best to help as many people as I can, we came up with an idea to have a database where all these questions are there in from of a blog. We are working on it. We didn't have much starting cost since two members are engineers and someone volunteered for the graphic design, that is how it all started.


Why does it take so long to get GCMS notes?

Under the Canadian Access to Information and Privacy Act the IRCC has to respond to a request for GCMS notes within 30 days. However, 40 days is the average processing time after taking into consideration the workload on different offices and the number of pending requests.

Is there a way to expedite the process?
Unfortunately no. However, if your case is one where you have initiated a litigation, then IRCC will issue you GCMS notes within 5 days.

How to read GCMS notes?

While it is confusing to begin with, but if you pay enough time, it becomes easy as it is your information. Before you even start, it is important to understand how a case file is processed. I wrote a detailed post highlighting how an application is processed and what are the different stages of the application. The post is available here: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t405705.0.html;msg5254511#msg5254511 . Once you know the different stages and have a basic understanding of the application, it will become very easy for your to read your own notes. To summarize, this is how it proceeds:

a. Completeness Check
b. R10 Review
c. Eligibility
d. Security

What is the best time to order GCMS?
While there is a lot of difference of opinion in when to order, but the simple answer is after R10. R10 is a strict review where it is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that his application is complete. If the application is incomplete, it is rejected and nothing much can be done, except re-filing it. Once your application crosses this stage, which is usually within the first month, that is the right time to order GCMS notes.

Can you help me read my notes?
While I have been trying my best to help as many member on the forum, it is practically difficult to read the notes for all applicants. This is the reason why this thread is being started. I am answering general questions at http://bit.ly/2begfbS and will answer GCMS related questions here.

What is one piece of advice I can give?
Be patient, this is most important. If you have done you homework and filed your application, you will get a positive decision. It is just a matter of time.

In the next few days I will continue to add more information about s16 / s15 which a lot of people see on their notes, I will also update on the difference between Agent review, Analyst Review etc.

If you have interacted with me on the forum, or have read my posts and found them informative, please think of ordering your GCMS Notes from https://www.getgcms.com, the next time you decide to order and if you are from India, use the transaction services in INR.

Have questions about GCMS - post them here and I will try my best to answer them.

 

[Lailina]

tagging the thread for future reference.
thanks +1

 

[etcoflife]

Thanks for this detailed discussion.

 

[cococly]

How do I know if my application has passed the R.10 stage? The details of my timeline are in my signature.

My NON-upfront PCC is just arriving at IRCC's office.

They have yet to confirm with me if they have received my PCC. (I ask via CSE)

Can you say I have passed the R10 stage?

 

[legalfalcon]

How do I know if my application has passed the R.10 stage? The details of my timeline are in my signature.

My NON-upfront PCC is just arriving at IRCC's office.

They have yet to confirm with me if they have received my PCC. (I ask via CSE)

Can you say I have passed the R10 stage?

If your PCC was to be issued by another authority and it was mentioned in your application then yes, most likely your R10 is complete. It is the first thing to happen and usually is done within the first month.

The only sure shot way to know is by looking at GCMS.

 

[legalfalcon]

What does s.15 / s 16 information withheld and blank pages in GCMS notes means?

When you see a blank page or pages in your GCMS notes with s15 or s16 at the right top corner, this is what it means:

These sections correspond to the s 16 and s15 of the Access to Information Act, same act under which your request fro GCMS notes.

Section 15 pertains to "International affairs and defence;" and
Section 16 pertains to "Law enforcement and investigations"

IRCC can refuse to disclose specific information under any of these two sections.

What does refusal to disclose information under these sections mean and how it impacts the application?

1. Section 15 -

Information under this section is hidden when IRCC or a Canadian agency has requested information from a foreign government or agency. It could be anything from checking your record in a foreign country to verifying the information you have supplied in your application. CSIS also requests information on your criminality or association with terrorism if they suspect any. However, most people who would see this would be those who have worked for foreign governments, especially military. Most of the applicants who see this on the GCMS notes, need not worry, as this is a routine check and does not impact the application. It may delay the application, but will not be harmful, unless IRCC finds something seriously wrong.

2. Section 16 -

This refers to refusal to disclose based on information prepared by a government institution which investigates to detect crime, threats to Canada, investigation reports by federal and provincial agencies. When you see this section under which information is withheld, it usually is for applicants who are inland applicants. This is mostly to verify the RCMP reports, or verify all places an applicant has lived in Canada and ensuring that he has no pending cases or arrests pending.

Why only some applicants have this and others don't.

All applications are verified on a large database and CSIS conducts its own separate investigation before giving a clearance. Some applicants form terrorist prone hubs, or who come from countries, or have travelled to countries known for drug trafficking, human trafficking, etc, are scrutinized. The officers are trained to filter applications and separate out some for in-depth verification before they are approved. Further, and applicants past military record, working for the government, traveling to some drug source countries, or frequent travels will trigger this. Some applicants also come from countries where polygamy is legal, where as in Canada it is not. This also has to be verified. It is the totality of the circumstances and not one circumstance that would lead to refusal to disclose.

Should I be concerned when I see it in my notes.

The answer is No. Unless you are aware of something which you should have disclosed, but did not. In most cases, this refusal to disclose is not harmful and does not have any bearing on your application. Just wait and your application will proceed in no time. Usually, when you see refusal to disclose you can only predict why this happening and in most cases it is a small detail, which you would have never even imagined.

Ending thoughts.

Usually when you see these sections you will see 16(c) or 15(1). This helps in ascertaining what it might be, but it is application specific and I cannot answer it, but only can predict. Eg. one of the applicants had a lot of information withheld under 15(1) and he had no idea. When I helped him in reading his notes, we in different scenarios and then he remembered that the company he used to work for went bankrupt and the country initiated proceedings for fraud and the white collar crimes. However, he was only an employee and has nothing to do with it. Still his name as an employee was there and this is what could have triggered an investigation to ensure that that he is not connected with or wanted in any white collar crime.

To read what the sections exactly state - http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/A-1/page-3.html#h-10

 

[janecan]

Hi legalfalcon, that is a great post thank you. I am a FSW Outland applicant so I couldnt be sure if I can order GCMS via that service? In addition to not being a PR holder I am also not an inland.

 

[legalfalcon]

Hi legalfalcon, that is a great post thank you. I am a FSW Outland applicant so I couldnt be sure if I can order GCMS via that service? In addition to not being a PR holder I am also not an inland.

The GET GCMS service is for outland applicants. As inland applicants usually can apply online. Feel free to apply and let me know if you may have any issues.

 

[janecan]

thanks a lot. i think i will order my background status is NA and have never been in progress and it is almost 90 days from my aor

 

[legalfalcon]

thanks a lot. i think i will order my background status is NA and have never been in progress and it is almost 90 days from my aor

Have your ordered GCMS before and are you aware if your R10 and Eligibility are cleared? The BGC is the last to happened after the R10 and Eligibility are met.

 

[Lailina]

Hi Legalfalcon,

just a quick question. The relevance of the NOC chosen to the duties in the reference letter will be checked after R10, right?
If I got your post in the other thread correctly, it means that one can know whether they chose the correct NOC only +-3 months after eAPR... And it will be done by the LVO?

I am worried whether I chose the correct NOC planning to submit today.

 

[legalfalcon]

Hi Legalfalcon,

just a quick question. The relevance of the NOC chosen to the duties in the reference letter will be checked after R10, right?
If I got your post in the other thread correctly, it means that one can know whether they chose the correct NOC only +-3 months after eAPR... And it will be done by the LVO?

I am worried whether I chose the correct NOC planning to submit today.

The NOC is checked during "Eligibility." So until you reach that stage, you won't know. However, it takes time to get the eligibility check complete, but before the agent makes a final determination analysts review the application and write their notes on it, recommending as passed. In most cases the agent agrees with the analyst's recommendation, which can be seen on the notes in the second month.

 

[Lailina]

The NOC is checked during "Eligibility." So until you reach that stage, you won't know. However, it takes time to get the eligibility check complete, but before the agent makes a final determination analysts review the application and write their notes on it, recommending as passed. In most cases the agent agrees with the analyst's recommendation, which can be seen on the notes in the second month.

great, thanks!
then I will order gcms notes in two months :-*

 

[janecan]

Have your ordered GCMS before and are you aware if your R10 and Eligibility are cleared? The BGC is the last to happened after the R10 and Eligibility are met.

No I havent ordered anything yet just sent an e-mail and received an answer "Our office confirms that your application is at our office and is being processed as per our regulatory timeline. Please note that we cannot confirm when your file will be ready for finalization."

So it means it is still in the first step after 90 days and not yet sent to local VO. Do you think there is a problem?

 

[Msq123]

Hi legal Falcon,
How long after AOR should GCMS Notes be ordered optimally?
Considering the current trend where medicals are taking 45 days to pass for FSW-O !