I told myself I won't call CIC hotline unless they take too long to process my application or have an update but I called them today as I wanted to verify how the process works. The agent confirmed that my file, which went into "in process" status last January 31, 2019, is still in Sydney. She said that they do some processing there and gave "background verification" as an example or guess(?). Once it is ready for test invite, that is the time it is transferred to the applicant's local office and the rest will processed there. She said there is no approximate time as to when my file will be transferred to my local office, which is Calgary. She said it could be in weeks or in months - no one knows but the officer, I guess. So let's hold tight and just review lol.
I remember she even said something defensive like "they do some processing in Sydney, it's not like they don't do anything there" lol she said it in a nice way but I can tell she probably got some calls from people who made it seem like Sydney is not doing their job that's why she got all defensive like that, haha.
Anyway, do you guys know what kind of "background verification" it is? Any idea?