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March 2018 AOR - join here!

varungorur2005

Hero Member
Nov 8, 2012
214
30
Visa Office......
CIC Delhi
AOR March 3rd
MEP March 11th
Still IP1.
110 days. Anyone in a similar scenario since I see a lot of people getting IP2 on June 22nd. No ideas as to why my application is stuck for so long without any movement
Mine is AOR 4th March. Still in IP1. FSW outland. Indian national. UAE residence. Not sure why the delay but it's me and my wife so I am not sure if they take additional time depending on the number of dependents.
 

bimale4bipeople

VIP Member
Apr 15, 2018
4,627
1,674
Mine is AOR 4th March. Still in IP1. FSW outland. Indian national. UAE residence. Not sure why the delay but it's me and my wife so I am not sure if they take additional time depending on the number of dependents.
ADVO is very vey slow I remember during my WP time processing WP through Canadian Embassy in India was 10 weeks and through Abu Dhabi it was 39 weeks
 

varungorur2005

Hero Member
Nov 8, 2012
214
30
Visa Office......
CIC Delhi
ADVO is very vey slow I remember during my WP time processing WP through Canadian Embassy in India was 10 weeks and through Abu Dhabi it was 39 weeks
Ya I heard that from many people as well but I am not sure about my VO. Need to call the call centre and find out. But I heard they have to process all Express entry applications by 6 months. So need to I guess wait till end of Aug.
 

bimale4bipeople

VIP Member
Apr 15, 2018
4,627
1,674
Ya I heard that from many people as well but I am not sure about my VO. Need to call the call centre and find out. But I heard they have to process all Express entry applications by 6 months. So need to I guess wait till end of Aug.
You can either call the IRCC to find out about your VO or write to them to enquire about (they will take some time to reply) though
 

rivertosouth

Star Member
May 21, 2018
81
20
the person in the call confirmed and congratulated me when i called and said all of my application details , also he said before mid july if mail doesnt come call back
You are so lucky! I called IRCC and was only told that I passed the eligibility and my files were in Sydney, so I suppose that is my VO, since I’m in IP2. Keep us updated if you get PPR.
 

abanil

Full Member
Jan 29, 2018
40
8
AOR March 3rd
MEP March 11th
Still IP1.
110 days. Anyone in a similar scenario since I see a lot of people getting IP2 on June 22nd. No ideas as to why my application is stuck for so long without any movement
I applied on March 2nd and since then just waiting. Not sure why it's taking so long!!
 

Esh2

Star Member
Jan 7, 2018
182
11
AOR March 3rd
MEP March 11th
Still IP1.
110 days. Anyone in a similar scenario since I see a lot of people getting IP2 on June 22nd. No ideas as to why my application is stuck for so long without any movement
I am in similar position .. what should we do. I am too confused
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,047
9,915
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016
I am writing this as there has been a growing number of cases with incorrect information and most applicants indulging in practices which harm than do any good. Here is a list of those issues which have surfaced -


1. Telegram groups - I had started 4 Telegram groups, 1 for pre-ITA, 1 for post ITA, 1 for PPR and landing, and one for Ontario.

To join - https://goo.gl/reGtFw

There is also a Facebook group, for those who do not want to be on WhatsAPP - Click to join
FACEBOOK GROUP


2. Visa Office

There has been an obsession of finding which visa office the application is at. Many threads on this forum start with explaining how to find your visa office. Let's get to the crux of it. Finding the visa office was very relevant pre- express entry. Even after the introduction of express entry in 2015, the same practice was followed which usually was for the paper based application, but that is no longer the case. Earlier all application followed the following trajectory:


Central Intake Office - Case Processing Centre - Local Visa Office

However, this has radically changed and for all express entry, all application follow the following:

1. Central Intake Office -
The R10 (completeness check) is done at the Central Intake Office for all classes (FSW / PNP / CEC). Now even the criminality and medicals are done at CIO.

2. Case Processing Centre - There are 4 case processing offices of IRCC, which are as follows:

Sydney, Nova Scotia - Seals with the following:
  • provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – Non-Express Entry applications
  • Centralized Intake Office – Immigrant Investor Program (IIP)
  • Centralized Intake Office – Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW)
  • Centralized Intake Office – Start Up Business Class
  • Centralized Intake Office – Self Employed (SE)
  • Centralized Intake Office – Quebec Business Class (QBC)
  • Centralized Intake Office – Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Now has started doing eligibility for EE applications in limited numbers.

Vegreville, Alberta
Deals with Specialized permanent resident application. Those following in the category of Medical needs, work permits, work permits for spouses, study permits, co-op permits. EE applications which have a downgraded category.

This is the place where you EE application will land if any of the members in the application have a medical condition. This is where determinations of refusal, monitoring etc are made.

Now has started doing eligibility for EE applications in limited numbers.

Mississauga, Ontario
Only deals with family class PR applications.
No EE applications are dealt here so far.

Ottawa, Ontario
This is the most important processing office for all EE, and it is also the Local Visa Office for in-land applicants and those applying from USA.

3. Local Visa Office - This is the office where you will be asked to submit your passport after your application has been approved. Usually the consulate in your home country.

These days all application after starting at CIO (where R10 is met), either start the processing of eligibility at CIO itself, or move to CPC (wither Ottawa, Sydney, or Vegreville), or are straight sent to the LVO. The trend has been to complete most of the processing between CIO and CPC. Since the applications are electronically stored, there is no movement of physical files.

SUGGESTION - There is no point sending emails to ask which VO your application is at, as that process is moot since the eligibility can even start at CIO. So save yourself some time and efforts and also save the human resources of IRCC and stop sending emails. Even if you know which VO your application is at, it means nothing. Most applications which are processed within weeks and get PPR, are processed at CIO, and this is a much faster way.

A few applications will see eligibility passed, and then go to not started when the application is sent to the LVO. This is because the final review is done at the LVO, and the local agent may decide to conduct additional review, or identification before the eligibility is finally set to PASSED.



3. Tracking your application

Unfortunately the only thing that you see is your MyCIC account. There has been a growing trend of speculation where change of status on MyCIC has been attributed to eligibility being passed, etc. The whole NA, IP IP2 is speculation and has no bearing on determining which stage your application is at. While any change of status is a good sign, but merely relying on NA and IP is not the correct way.

Most applicants will find it irrelevant, as their applications will be processed and approved within the first 3-4 months. It is those who wait for more than 4 months, where things go crazy as they keep relying on NA, IP etc, and see no movement or progress. Many other are stuck on so called IP2, and the PPR never seems to come.

So put these speculative theories to rest. As per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, regulations and the ministeral instructions every application goes through the following stages:

R10 (Completeness check)
Medicals
Criminality
A11.2 Eligibility (The most important stage)
Security

To read more on each stage click here. While most applicants will not need to go this deep, but for those who have concerns about the application or it is taking too long should see which stage they are at. Also, the only way to determine the stage is by GCMS notes. To read more on GCMS notes, see the thread here.

4. ECAS (Electronic Client Application Status) -

This was the most important tool pre EE to track an application and provided much more in-depth status than what MyCIC does. However, after the IRCC moved to the Global Case Management System (AKA GCMS) applications are no longer linked to ECAS.

So there is no point going there and checking.

4. Letter of Explanation -
As the name suggests, the LoE is exact what it sounds like. It is not an idea for the documents and you do not have to explain each document you are submitting in your application.

The simple rules to follow for LoE -

  • Should be 1-2 pages in length. If you cannot explain it in 1-2 pages, it is probably not worth it.
  • Only use LoE to explain an issue. Eg. you could not obtain a reference letter on letterhead, could not meet PoF 6 months avg balance, seeking exemption or extension from PCC, or to explain something in your application which is not clear.
  • IRCC Agents do read LoE, but if its too long and not to the point, it loses its importance.
  • You DO NOT need an index for your documents. There are placeholders for the documents just put each document there and when it is stored on the IRCC system it is names and stored in an organized way.


THESE ARE MY VIEWS AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THESE. IF YOU HAVE CONTRARY VIEWS, JUST OGNORE IT AND DO WHAT YOUR CONSULTANT ASKED YOU WHAT YOU DEEM FIT.
 

rivertosouth

Star Member
May 21, 2018
81
20
I am writing this as there has been a growing number of cases with incorrect information and most applicants indulging in practices which harm than do any good. Here is a list of those issues which have surfaced -


1. Telegram groups - I had started 4 Telegram groups, 1 for pre-ITA, 1 for post ITA, 1 for PPR and landing, and one for Ontario.

To join - https://goo.gl/reGtFw

There is also a Facebook group, for those who do not want to be on WhatsAPP - Click to join
FACEBOOK GROUP


2. Visa Office

There has been an obsession of finding which visa office the application is at. Many threads on this forum start with explaining how to find your visa office. Let's get to the crux of it. Finding the visa office was very relevant pre- express entry. Even after the introduction of express entry in 2015, the same practice was followed which usually was for the paper based application, but that is no longer the case. Earlier all application followed the following trajectory:


Central Intake Office - Case Processing Centre - Local Visa Office

However, this has radically changed and for all express entry, all application follow the following:

1. Central Intake Office -
The R10 (completeness check) is done at the Central Intake Office for all classes (FSW / PNP / CEC). Now even the criminality and medicals are done at CIO.

2. Case Processing Centre - There are 4 case processing offices of IRCC, which are as follows:

Sydney, Nova Scotia - Seals with the following:
  • provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – Non-Express Entry applications
  • Centralized Intake Office – Immigrant Investor Program (IIP)
  • Centralized Intake Office – Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW)
  • Centralized Intake Office – Start Up Business Class
  • Centralized Intake Office – Self Employed (SE)
  • Centralized Intake Office – Quebec Business Class (QBC)
  • Centralized Intake Office – Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Now has started doing eligibility for EE applications in limited numbers.

Vegreville, Alberta
Deals with Specialized permanent resident application. Those following in the category of Medical needs, work permits, work permits for spouses, study permits, co-op permits. EE applications which have a downgraded category.

This is the place where you EE application will land if any of the members in the application have a medical condition. This is where determinations of refusal, monitoring etc are made.

Now has started doing eligibility for EE applications in limited numbers.

Mississauga, Ontario
Only deals with family class PR applications.
No EE applications are dealt here so far.

Ottawa, Ontario
This is the most important processing office for all EE, and it is also the Local Visa Office for in-land applicants and those applying from USA.

3. Local Visa Office - This is the office where you will be asked to submit your passport after your application has been approved. Usually the consulate in your home country.

These days all application after starting at CIO (where R10 is met), either start the processing of eligibility at CIO itself, or move to CPC (wither Ottawa, Sydney, or Vegreville), or are straight sent to the LVO. The trend has been to complete most of the processing between CIO and CPC. Since the applications are electronically stored, there is no movement of physical files.

SUGGESTION - There is no point sending emails to ask which VO your application is at, as that process is moot since the eligibility can even start at CIO. So save yourself some time and efforts and also save the human resources of IRCC and stop sending emails. Even if you know which VO your application is at, it means nothing. Most applications which are processed within weeks and get PPR, are processed at CIO, and this is a much faster way.

A few applications will see eligibility passed, and then go to not started when the application is sent to the LVO. This is because the final review is done at the LVO, and the local agent may decide to conduct additional review, or identification before the eligibility is finally set to PASSED.



3. Tracking your application

Unfortunately the only thing that you see is your MyCIC account. There has been a growing trend of speculation where change of status on MyCIC has been attributed to eligibility being passed, etc. The whole NA, IP IP2 is speculation and has no bearing on determining which stage your application is at. While any change of status is a good sign, but merely relying on NA and IP is not the correct way.

Most applicants will find it irrelevant, as their applications will be processed and approved within the first 3-4 months. It is those who wait for more than 4 months, where things go crazy as they keep relying on NA, IP etc, and see no movement or progress. Many other are stuck on so called IP2, and the PPR never seems to come.

So put these speculative theories to rest. As per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, regulations and the ministeral instructions every application goes through the following stages:

R10 (Completeness check)
Medicals
Criminality
A11.2 Eligibility (The most important stage)
Security


To read more on each stage click here. While most applicants will not need to go this deep, but for those who have concerns about the application or it is taking too long should see which stage they are at. Also, the only way to determine the stage is by GCMS notes. To read more on GCMS notes, see the thread here.

4. ECAS (Electronic Client Application Status) -

This was the most important tool pre EE to track an application and provided much more in-depth status than what MyCIC does. However, after the IRCC moved to the Global Case Management System (AKA GCMS) applications are no longer linked to ECAS.

So there is no point going there and checking.

4. Letter of Explanation -
As the name suggests, the LoE is exact what it sounds like. It is not an idea for the documents and you do not have to explain each document you are submitting in your application.

The simple rules to follow for LoE -

  • Should be 1-2 pages in length. If you cannot explain it in 1-2 pages, it is probably not worth it.
  • Only use LoE to explain an issue. Eg. you could not obtain a reference letter on letterhead, could not meet PoF 6 months avg balance, seeking exemption or extension from PCC, or to explain something in your application which is not clear.
  • IRCC Agents do read LoE, but if its too long and not to the point, it loses its importance.
  • You DO NOT need an index for your documents. There are placeholders for the documents just put each document there and when it is stored on the IRCC system it is names and stored in an organized way.


THESE ARE MY VIEWS AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THESE. IF YOU HAVE CONTRARY VIEWS, JUST OGNORE IT AND DO WHAT YOUR CONSULTANT ASKED YOU WHAT YOU DEEM FIT.
Sir, I’ve seen many of your posts, hope you can help me here! I used my former employment to claim points, but the former company’s website doesn’t exist any more. Many people say this can raise a red flag. I have submitted the reference letter, certificate of employment, contract, bank statements and tax form, do you think these documents can help the officer verify my employment? By the way, I was told on the phone that I passed the eligibility and I’m in IP2, but I am still worried as you said all the IP1 and IP2 stuff is speculative. Thank you in advance!