Stages of an Application
All applications are processed under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act & ministerial instructions and go through the following stages;
Stages of an Express Entry Application
AOR
AOR (Acknowledgement of Receipt) is automatically generated by the Express Entry system providing confirmation that an application was submitted successfully. For most applicants an AOR is immediately sent, however in some case it can take longer up to 24 hours. The application is locked on the date when it is filed.
The UCI number that starts with CAN is a random temporary number from the Express Entry system. It is not the same as a regular UCI. The temporary UCI number will change to a regular UCI number after the application crosses the R10 Completeness Check stage. Also see this link, What is UCI and File Number. If you see a message like this in your GCMS file "Existing UCI eligibility showed as failed prior to promotion" , all this means is that there was a conflict with a previously assigned UCI number.
If there is more than one UCI for the same client, this is a data integrity issue. As there is no way to delete a record from GCMS once it is promoted, the UCIs must be linked by performing a household. When a household is done, the multiple IDs will still exist but they will be linked together.
Completeness Check
The completeness check is the first stage of the application processing. At the completeness check, the processing office determines only whether the required documents are included according to the document checklist requirements in place at the time the application is received. This stage is also called R10 which refers to section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. If the application is found to be incomplete (that is, if it does not meet the requirements pursuant to section R10), the Central Intake Office (CIO) returns the incomplete application package, along with the fees, to the applicant and records the action in GCMS. If the Letter of Explanation (LOE) explains satisfactorily the reason for any missing document, then the visa officer may allow extension of time limit for submission of the document and move the application ahead pending the submission of the document. Applications can also be refused for typo's and applicants should "double check" their application before submitting. See this court case as an example.
The completeness check is done at the Central Intake Office (CIO) for all classes (FSW / PNP / CEC). According to IRCC most applications are processed within 6 months or less. The 6 months processing time starts when your application meets the completeness check. You can use Case Specific Enquiry (CSE) / Webform to enquire about the status of your application if it exceeds 6 months. Prior to the introduction of Global Case Management System (GCMS) the Electronic Client Application Status (e-CAS) provided in-depth status of an application compared to what MyCIC provides. However, with the implementation of the GCMS system applications are no longer linked to e-CAS.
Also see Completeness Check for paper-based non-Express Entry applications
Review of eligibility
Review of whether the applicant meets the eligibility requirement. This stage is also referred to A11.2 which refers to Section 11.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This stage is a very time-intensive process because all documentation that has been submitted are checked for validity and relevance at this stage. To make the process efficient eligibility review takes place in 2 stages, first a case analyst, a program assistant or a case processing agent will review the application and make a recommendation. Then an officer (decision making authority) will review it and make a final determination. If there are any issues, the application can be sent for further review. This can involve an additional document request (ADR), verification calls, personal interview, etc. To address such issues the file may be transferred to a local visa office (LVO) or to another visa office depending on IRCC workload. Note that the Eligibility Review is conducted only for the primary applicant, and in that process points for the spouse are also evaluated. There is no separate eligibility review for the spouse; there is just one eligibility criteria for the application..
At the first stage if there are concerns with a document or the case analyst or the program assistant wants the officer to have a careful review into a specific document then they will it flag it with the message "Review Required". If the applicant has met the eligibility criteria, but a specific document needs further review from an officer then the GCMS notes will contain a message that the "applicant has met the eligibility", or “ready to finalize”. (Ready to finalize means that the assistant or analyst is recommending that the officer review the file before making a final decision) However, if there are concerns with eligibility then there will be a review required but there will be no message like “ready to finalize” or "pass". The message will specifically state that the job duties do not match, or the employment cannot be verified, or the number of years of work experience claimed cannot be verified. 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. This is why eligibility is only passed when an officer conclusively marks the eligibility as "passed". Some of the common reasons for Review Required are related to:
Proof of funds (POF). Sometimes POF verification can take place again during Security Screening.
Reference letter
Work experience
Employment verification
If you answered yes to any Statutory (Stat) Questions
As a result of these 2 stages the GCMS notes for eligibility review can have up to 3-4 notes. One will be by an analyst or an assistant, and the next will be by an officer. Due to the 2 stage review, MyCIC message may change from "The eligibility review has been met" to "The responsible office is currently verifying if your application meets the eligibility requirements under the immigration program for which you have applied". If in the notes section you see "Pass candidate" it just refers to your profile and score which is not the same as passed by an officer for Eligibility Review.
Some applicants may see "passed candidate" in their GCMS notes; this refers to when when the application is passed based only on the applicants profile as claimed by the applicant. The status will change to "In Progress" when the processing of the Eligibility Review starts.
Usually, before the end of Review of eligibility stage Medicals and Criminality are also passed. At this stage some applicants also receive a request to pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) if it has not been paid upfront. If an applicant receives a request for the RPRF fee then it usually means that eligibility is recommended passed or passed. On MyCIC account review of eligibility will continue to be in progress until you receive the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
All applications are processed under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act & ministerial instructions and go through the following stages;
Stages of an Express Entry Application
AOR
AOR (Acknowledgement of Receipt) is automatically generated by the Express Entry system providing confirmation that an application was submitted successfully. For most applicants an AOR is immediately sent, however in some case it can take longer up to 24 hours. The application is locked on the date when it is filed.
The UCI number that starts with CAN is a random temporary number from the Express Entry system. It is not the same as a regular UCI. The temporary UCI number will change to a regular UCI number after the application crosses the R10 Completeness Check stage. Also see this link, What is UCI and File Number. If you see a message like this in your GCMS file "Existing UCI eligibility showed as failed prior to promotion" , all this means is that there was a conflict with a previously assigned UCI number.
If there is more than one UCI for the same client, this is a data integrity issue. As there is no way to delete a record from GCMS once it is promoted, the UCIs must be linked by performing a household. When a household is done, the multiple IDs will still exist but they will be linked together.
Completeness Check
The completeness check is the first stage of the application processing. At the completeness check, the processing office determines only whether the required documents are included according to the document checklist requirements in place at the time the application is received. This stage is also called R10 which refers to section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. If the application is found to be incomplete (that is, if it does not meet the requirements pursuant to section R10), the Central Intake Office (CIO) returns the incomplete application package, along with the fees, to the applicant and records the action in GCMS. If the Letter of Explanation (LOE) explains satisfactorily the reason for any missing document, then the visa officer may allow extension of time limit for submission of the document and move the application ahead pending the submission of the document. Applications can also be refused for typo's and applicants should "double check" their application before submitting. See this court case as an example.
The completeness check is done at the Central Intake Office (CIO) for all classes (FSW / PNP / CEC). According to IRCC most applications are processed within 6 months or less. The 6 months processing time starts when your application meets the completeness check. You can use Case Specific Enquiry (CSE) / Webform to enquire about the status of your application if it exceeds 6 months. Prior to the introduction of Global Case Management System (GCMS) the Electronic Client Application Status (e-CAS) provided in-depth status of an application compared to what MyCIC provides. However, with the implementation of the GCMS system applications are no longer linked to e-CAS.
Also see Completeness Check for paper-based non-Express Entry applications
Review of eligibility
Review of whether the applicant meets the eligibility requirement. This stage is also referred to A11.2 which refers to Section 11.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This stage is a very time-intensive process because all documentation that has been submitted are checked for validity and relevance at this stage. To make the process efficient eligibility review takes place in 2 stages, first a case analyst, a program assistant or a case processing agent will review the application and make a recommendation. Then an officer (decision making authority) will review it and make a final determination. If there are any issues, the application can be sent for further review. This can involve an additional document request (ADR), verification calls, personal interview, etc. To address such issues the file may be transferred to a local visa office (LVO) or to another visa office depending on IRCC workload. Note that the Eligibility Review is conducted only for the primary applicant, and in that process points for the spouse are also evaluated. There is no separate eligibility review for the spouse; there is just one eligibility criteria for the application..
At the first stage if there are concerns with a document or the case analyst or the program assistant wants the officer to have a careful review into a specific document then they will it flag it with the message "Review Required". If the applicant has met the eligibility criteria, but a specific document needs further review from an officer then the GCMS notes will contain a message that the "applicant has met the eligibility", or “ready to finalize”. (Ready to finalize means that the assistant or analyst is recommending that the officer review the file before making a final decision) However, if there are concerns with eligibility then there will be a review required but there will be no message like “ready to finalize” or "pass". The message will specifically state that the job duties do not match, or the employment cannot be verified, or the number of years of work experience claimed cannot be verified. 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. This is why eligibility is only passed when an officer conclusively marks the eligibility as "passed". Some of the common reasons for Review Required are related to:
Proof of funds (POF). Sometimes POF verification can take place again during Security Screening.
Reference letter
Work experience
Employment verification
If you answered yes to any Statutory (Stat) Questions
As a result of these 2 stages the GCMS notes for eligibility review can have up to 3-4 notes. One will be by an analyst or an assistant, and the next will be by an officer. Due to the 2 stage review, MyCIC message may change from "The eligibility review has been met" to "The responsible office is currently verifying if your application meets the eligibility requirements under the immigration program for which you have applied". If in the notes section you see "Pass candidate" it just refers to your profile and score which is not the same as passed by an officer for Eligibility Review.
Some applicants may see "passed candidate" in their GCMS notes; this refers to when when the application is passed based only on the applicants profile as claimed by the applicant. The status will change to "In Progress" when the processing of the Eligibility Review starts.
Usually, before the end of Review of eligibility stage Medicals and Criminality are also passed. At this stage some applicants also receive a request to pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) if it has not been paid upfront. If an applicant receives a request for the RPRF fee then it usually means that eligibility is recommended passed or passed. On MyCIC account review of eligibility will continue to be in progress until you receive the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).