April 2018 AOR - join here

[Neha255]

I think IRCC forgot us here in Canada and they have been busy distributing sweets(ppr emails) all over the world(which I am happy for it)...

Lol seriously,I believe you,

 

[tbn2k18]

Lots of movement last week. Below is update on PPRs from 22 June till date. Many February, March and April AORs have moved to IP2 stage as well. Hoping this week is an active one too.

 

[navinball]

quick question, how does the CIO decide which LVO the application gets processed? is it country of residence or country of work experience. all my work exp was in USA but im currently residing in india and not working.

 

[Emmemm07]

Congrats! By IP2 you mean that now the review of eligibility is passed in your profile correct?

Thank you. Yes, that’s right. Now the background check is in process.

 

[Toronto2018]

Lots of movement last week. Below is update on PPRs from 22 June till date. Many February, March and April AORs have moved to IP2 stage as well. Hoping this week is an active one too.

WOW!! This is very encouraging, thanks for the update

 

[legalfalcon]

Hey GCMSBuddy what all info can one get in the GCMS notes ? Me and Ajeet were contemplating going for it, but would like to know what info does it contains

See
https://www.getgcms.com/blog/gcms-notes-look-like-order/


https://www.getgcms.com/blog/gcms-notes-contain-vital-information-keep-safe/

 

[Hsingh13]

Hey all !!!
Wats up new here ?
N congrats to emmemm07
Really getting excited as we r moving forward to july month ...

 

[legalfalcon]

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.

 

[Hsingh13]

quick question, how does the CIO decide which LVO the application gets processed? is it country of residence or country of work experience. all my work exp was in USA but im currently residing in india and not working.

I believe that ur country of residence is ur LVO coz they will finally give u visa n copr

 

[docmoh]

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 -

Great summary.
Could u please give some inputs on my case sir

 

[bimale4bipeople]

I believe that ur country of residence is ur LVO coz they will finally give u visa n copr

It isn’t always the case I have seen some Indian applicants living in India the visa office assigned to them was Singapore... number if applciant from Middle East at times there visa office is Abu Dhabi at time it is London... it all depends on work load factors

 

[smcan2014]

Guys I’m thrilled to tell you’ll that my application has finally moved to IP2 today. It could’ve happened yesterday because I didn’t check it.
I logged in as usual not expecting anything but to my surprise it showed an IP2 update!!
Phew!
For all of you’ll waiting, just hang in there!
You’ll get an update soon !

Congratulations! Hope you get PPR this week.

 

[strikeharsh]

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.

legalfalcon, just need to add your line about Mississauga VO. Recently, CEC threads have reportedly started to see increasing number of applicants receive landing notice interview rather than actual ppr. And EE CEC used to have very little interviews. Beside the forum, I have two friends also CEC received landing notice from Mississauga office as well. It’s definitely a trend. Meaning Mississauga office is approving some CEC EE applicants but limited info to whether they are processing the file.

 

[hammam]

Which PCC have u submitted earlier?
N wat were u doing in USA ?

I was working for 1 year (employment)

 

[strikeharsh]

It isn’t always the case I have seen some Indian applicants living in India the visa office assigned to them was Singapore... number if applciant from Middle East at times there visa office is Abu Dhabi at time it is London... it all depends on work load factors

Hey bud, I just followed up with IRCC phone agent after one month. They told that my file is still in bgc and bgc is done by external agencies like ccis and cbsa and they have no control. It’s mercy of the them to how speedy the bgc is. My bgc has initiated more than 2 months. And apprantly it’s stuck in CBSA or CCIS.

It’s the worst nightmare. Stuck with CBSA or ccis