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

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,048
9,916
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
Hey@legalfalcon,

How are you?

First of all, thank you for you fully support.

I have just got my notes issued last week and I have S17 noted my right-hand side. By searching all this, no one has mentioned this om their GCM notes.

Notes has been partially disclosed.

S17.
Safety of individuals

17 The head of a government institution may refuse to disclose any record requested under this Act that contains information the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to threaten the safety of individuals.

Could you please explain if this is negative or normal?

Awaiting for your reply. Thank you in advance!
See https://www.oic-ci.gc.ca/eng/inv_inv-gui-ati_gui-inv-ati_section_17.aspx
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,048
9,916
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
Hi..i called CIC yesterday and the agent told me that my application has been transferred to NDVO as of today morning and she is not authorised to give any more information.At what stage does the application gets transferred to NDVO?Should i order GCMS Notes or is it too early?my AOR is March 2nd 2019.
@legal Falcon :Can you please help me with this query?
It usually happens after the eligibility has started, and the eligibility is finalized at the LVO.
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,048
9,916
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
Hey guys! Where in the notes do i find out which visa office is processing my application?
Page 1, primary and secondary offices.
 
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Reactions: AST92

nns14

Champion Member
Feb 10, 2018
1,438
888
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Nairobi, Kenya
NOC Code......
2147
App. Filed.......
26-09-2019
AOR Received.
26-09-2019
File Transfer...
24-10-2019
Passport Req..
18-Jul-2022
VISA ISSUED...
05-Aug-2022
LANDED..........
11-Jan-2023
Thank you so much @legalfalcon for creating this wonderful thread. I have read like 40 pages over the last few days. Last weekend, I paid for e-GCMS from getgcms but I have not yet shared with them the authorized letter. This is because I am delaying till Friday. I want the application to be closer to the 90 days mark.

I do not know why IRCC is yet to request finger prints from us (we are family of three) when we passed medical 12th April. It has been a month and half since and no single update on the GUI; not even a ghost update. I called them twice (one month apart) and sent CSE once but they gave me the same answer:

* AOR - 27 February 2019
* MEP - 12 April 2019
* Eligibility - Not Started
* Background Check - In Progress
* Visa Office - CIO Sydney

May be they are doing security and criminality first...
 

nns14

Champion Member
Feb 10, 2018
1,438
888
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Nairobi, Kenya
NOC Code......
2147
App. Filed.......
26-09-2019
AOR Received.
26-09-2019
File Transfer...
24-10-2019
Passport Req..
18-Jul-2022
VISA ISSUED...
05-Aug-2022
LANDED..........
11-Jan-2023

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,048
9,916
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
Thank you so much @legalfalcon for creating this wonderful thread. I have read like 40 pages over the last few days. Last weekend, I paid for e-GCMS from getgcms but I have not yet shared with them the authorized letter. This is because I am delaying till Friday. I want the application to be closer to the 90 days mark.

I do not know why IRCC is yet to request finger prints from us (we are family of three) when we passed medical 12th April. It has been a month and half since and no single update on the GUI; not even a ghost update. I called them twice (one month apart) and sent CSE once but they gave me the same answer:

* AOR - 27 February 2019
* MEP - 12 April 2019
* Eligibility - Not Started
* Background Check - In Progress
* Visa Office - CIO Sydney

May be they are doing security and criminality first...
There is nothing to be concerned. The biometrics is not used until the security starts. The role of biometrics is to get a very accurate and fast assessment of whether an applicant is involved in any immigration violations or is wanted in connection of any crime.

The background check you see in progress, most likely pertains to the criminality, which is based on PCC, and happens in the early stages of the processing.

Since your AoR is Feb 27, it is way too early to be concerned about anything. At least until the end of June, you should stay calm and not worry.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nns14

silverstone63

Full Member
Aug 31, 2011
48
6
There is nothing to be concerned. The biometrics is not used until the security starts. The role of biometrics is to get a very accurate and fast assessment of whether an applicant is involved in any immigration violations or is wanted in connection of any crime.

The background check you see in progress, most likely pertains to the criminality, which is based on PCC, and happens in the early stages of the processing.

Since your AoR is Feb 27, it is way too early to be concerned about anything. At least until the end of June, you should stay calm and not worry.
There is nothing to be concerned. The biometrics is not used until the security starts. The role of biometrics is to get a very accurate and fast assessment of whether an applicant is involved in any immigration violations or is wanted in connection of any crime.

The background check you see in progress, most likely pertains to the criminality, which is based on PCC, and happens in the early stages of the processing.

Since your AoR is Feb 27, it is way too early to be concerned about anything. At least until the end of June, you should stay calm and not worry.
hy legal falcon, I am Outland applicant, AR November 2017 and AOR January 2018. No MR from LVO. I ordered GCMS notes a month ago but no response from them. My progress bar shows 19 days remaining. Eligibility and BG both in process. Please suggest what to do.
 

sdharan19

Star Member
Mar 10, 2019
153
104
hi @legalfalcon
I have ordered my CBSA notes today from getgcms today since my backgraound check is in progress since march 5th and there is no movements to my file since then..
Question I have is some say GCMS notes and CBSA notes are similar but CBSA contains information regarding background check too..
Is that true ?
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,048
9,916
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
Hello @legalfalcon
AOR 18 Dec 2018
Meds: 29 Jan 2019
Current status IP1
Just received GCMS notes ordered on 27 march 2019.
Can you please help me understand the notes and reason why my eligibility is review required. http://imgur.com/a/q7Q4SLS
I don't see any concerns as such.

Read:

Understanding “Review Required”

A lot of applicants see “review required” in their GCMS notes for eligibility. There are many theories floating around with regard to what “review required” means and if it is alarming.

Before I venture into explaining the significance, it is important to understand that each application goes through the following stages as per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the regulations (Canadian Immigration Law):

R10 – Completeness Check
Criminality
Medicals
A11.2 – eligibility
Security

Out of the above, the most important stage is eligibility. This is also the most time-consuming stage because your documents have to be verified, evaluated and assessed to ascertain that you meet the eligibility criteria for the program you have applied (FSW / CEC / FTW). To stream line this process and make it easier for an immigration officer (decision making authority), all applications are first evaluated by case analysts or program assistants. They review the documents and summarize it in the GCMS. If they have any concerns with any document or want the immigration officer to carefully look into a specific document, they will flag it as “review required.” It is the content of the note that is important here. If the review required is for a specific document, while the summary of the note says that an applicant has met the eligibility, or “ready to finalize” it simply means that while the applicant has met the eligibility criteria, but the specific document needs a careful examination form the officer before promoting (eligibility pass) by the officer.

However, if there are concerns, there will be a review required for the eligibility, and there will be no text to the effect “ready to finalize” or pass. The note will specifically state job duties do not match, or the employment cannot be verified, or the number of years of work experience claimed cannot be verified. This is where an application can land in muddy waters. But the final decision rests on the immigration officer. He may override the decision of the analyst / assistant or go with the analysis of the analyst / assistant.

Even in cases where the analyst / assistant is of the opinion that the applicant has met the eligibility, and there is no “review required,” the officer can replace it with his own opinion. Though rare, but it does happen. This is why the eligibility is only passed when an officer conclusively marks the eligibility as passed.

Finally, there is “review required” for PoF. This is the most common in many applications. This is because, the financial and banking practices of each country are different. Eg. Fixed deposits are know as Certificate of Deposit (CD) in the US. Similarly, treasury bonds, mutual funds, stocks, and many other investment vehicles are there. If your PoF anything other than a bank deposit, it is more likely that it will be marked as “review required.” Also, IRCC does not go by day to day fluctuations in FOREX. Instead, the Canadian federal government issued a quarterly conversion rate for all FOREX vis-a-via CAD. If your PoF is in a foreign currency, then you may have “review required” for the officer to make a determination.

Just because you have “review required” does not mean that you hit the panic mode. Instead, read the context in which it is there. If there is a concern regarding a document, you can send a replacement document via CSE. The most common reasons for RR are:

1. Work reference letter without job duties
2. Work reference letters missing all the details requested by IRCC
3. If you submitted a letter from a colleague because you were unable to get one from your employer, but did not have a LoE on file, this too will lead to RR.
4. Not sufficient work experience in the primary NOC.
5. Inability to verify your employment as your employer details are missing.

There are just some of the scenarios.

Hope this helps.
 

athwalkaur

Member
Mar 11, 2015
13
16
I don't see any concerns as such.

Read:

Understanding “Review Required”

A lot of applicants see “review required” in their GCMS notes for eligibility. There are many theories floating around with regard to what “review required” means and if it is alarming.

Before I venture into explaining the significance, it is important to understand that each application goes through the following stages as per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the regulations (Canadian Immigration Law):

R10 – Completeness Check
Criminality
Medicals
A11.2 – eligibility
Security

Out of the above, the most important stage is eligibility. This is also the most time-consuming stage because your documents have to be verified, evaluated and assessed to ascertain that you meet the eligibility criteria for the program you have applied (FSW / CEC / FTW). To stream line this process and make it easier for an immigration officer (decision making authority), all applications are first evaluated by case analysts or program assistants. They review the documents and summarize it in the GCMS. If they have any concerns with any document or want the immigration officer to carefully look into a specific document, they will flag it as “review required.” It is the content of the note that is important here. If the review required is for a specific document, while the summary of the note says that an applicant has met the eligibility, or “ready to finalize” it simply means that while the applicant has met the eligibility criteria, but the specific document needs a careful examination form the officer before promoting (eligibility pass) by the officer.

However, if there are concerns, there will be a review required for the eligibility, and there will be no text to the effect “ready to finalize” or pass. The note will specifically state job duties do not match, or the employment cannot be verified, or the number of years of work experience claimed cannot be verified. This is where an application can land in muddy waters. But the final decision rests on the immigration officer. He may override the decision of the analyst / assistant or go with the analysis of the analyst / assistant.

Even in cases where the analyst / assistant is of the opinion that the applicant has met the eligibility, and there is no “review required,” the officer can replace it with his own opinion. Though rare, but it does happen. This is why the eligibility is only passed when an officer conclusively marks the eligibility as passed.

Finally, there is “review required” for PoF. This is the most common in many applications. This is because, the financial and banking practices of each country are different. Eg. Fixed deposits are know as Certificate of Deposit (CD) in the US. Similarly, treasury bonds, mutual funds, stocks, and many other investment vehicles are there. If your PoF anything other than a bank deposit, it is more likely that it will be marked as “review required.” Also, IRCC does not go by day to day fluctuations in FOREX. Instead, the Canadian federal government issued a quarterly conversion rate for all FOREX vis-a-via CAD. If your PoF is in a foreign currency, then you may have “review required” for the officer to make a determination.

Just because you have “review required” does not mean that you hit the panic mode. Instead, read the context in which it is there. If there is a concern regarding a document, you can send a replacement document via CSE. The most common reasons for RR are:

1. Work reference letter without job duties
2. Work reference letters missing all the details requested by IRCC
3. If you submitted a letter from a colleague because you were unable to get one from your employer, but did not have a LoE on file, this too will lead to RR.
4. Not sufficient work experience in the primary NOC.
5. Inability to verify your employment as your employer details are missing.

There are just some of the scenarios.

Hope this helps.
Thanks you so much.
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,048
9,916
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
hi @legalfalcon
I have ordered my CBSA notes today from getgcms today since my backgraound check is in progress since march 5th and there is no movements to my file since then..
Question I have is some say GCMS notes and CBSA notes are similar but CBSA contains information regarding background check too..
Is that true ?
The GCMS and CBSA notes are the same. The only difference is that the CBSA notes does not redact security related info. This helps you to know the date when your security started.

The security is done by CBSA, CSIS, Public Safety and RCMP. As soon as the security starts, the CBSA is involved and so is CSIS. First CSIS concludes its involvement and sends the report to CBSA, which then sends both reports to IRCC.
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,048
9,916
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
hy legal falcon, I am Outland applicant, AR November 2017 and AOR January 2018. No MR from LVO. I ordered GCMS notes a month ago but no response from them. My progress bar shows 19 days remaining. Eligibility and BG both in process. Please suggest what to do.
If you requested the GCMS in end March and early April, they have been delayed, and will be released soon.

Also remember that the 6 months processing time starts form the the day the R10 is met and not AoR.

So wait for the GCMS. There is no need for any concerns yet.
 

sdharan19

Star Member
Mar 10, 2019
153
104
The GCMS and CBSA notes are the same. The only difference is that the CBSA notes does not redact security related info. This helps you to know the date when your security started.

The security is done by CBSA, CSIS, Public Safety and RCMP. As soon as the security starts, the CBSA is involved and so is CSIS. First CSIS concludes its involvement and sends the report to CBSA, which then sends both reports to IRCC.
thank you for your reply
Sorry just to clarify, means in short I dont have to order the GCMS notes for now since the info is contained in CBSA notes as well? sorry little confused