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************December 2020****************AoR Join here

kunalkardam

Full Member
Jan 29, 2020
30
8
Category........
FSW
It depends on your stream
Unless you haven't any update after Medical pass go for GCMS notes. If no updates happened yet then do not waste your efforts and patience.

GL
I did get BIL after MEP which was updated the same day I gave my Biometrics on 2nd March but nothing after that. It has been complete silence from their end.

As for my stream it is FSW (Forgotten skilled workers) outland.

I think it would be better to go for GCMS notes to get an idea where my application is at the moment.
 
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AsimNexus

Star Member
Jun 14, 2017
113
81
Toronto, Canada
Category........
CEC
NOC Code......
1241
App. Filed.......
17-12-2020
AOR Received.
17-12-2020
Med's Done....
21-01-2021
LANDED..........
19-06-2021
Just wanted to give an update about my application and the GCMS notes I ordered on April 4th, 2021. They arrived today and are as follows:

Category: CEC Inland
AOR: December 17th, 2020
MEP: Passed (January 21st, 2021)
BIL: January 22nd, 2021
Eligibility: Recommended Passed (Updated on April 13th, 2021)
Criminality: Passed
Security: Not Started
Info Sharing: Completed
VO: CPC-Ottawa

My GCMS notes were generated on April 19th, 2021, 15 days after I ordered them.
 
Last edited:

Bacelor

Hero Member
Oct 20, 2017
882
363
I did get BIL after MEP which was updated the same day I gave my Biometrics on 2nd March but nothing after that. It has been complete silence from their end.

As for my stream it is FSW (Forgotten skilled workers) outland.

I think it would be better to go for GCMS notes to get an idea where my application is at the moment.
You probably will not find much progress, wait at least untill your background check updates.
However it is your call
GL
 

Deepa52

Star Member
Dec 16, 2020
199
131
Hi there,
My file ended up in Montreal as well.
Did you answer “yes” to any statutory question?
Have you been asked for any additional documents?
Hope you get your PR soon
I believe VO is not related to how complex your application is. Looks all those in the first and second week of Dec have Montreal VO. I am Inland with inland dependent. I don't think my application is complicated. Mine is also Montreal VO, AOR Dec 5
 
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pap_ON

Member
Apr 25, 2020
11
9
Hi there,
My file ended up in Montreal as well.
Did you answer “yes” to any statutory question?
Have you been asked for any additional documents?
Hope you get your PR soon
No additional document was asked.
My husband has a “yes” due to a denied entry to Greece around 8 years ago. The reason was a simple issue that is not related to him or his documents. We explained it in our application. We also gave out this information to IRCC multiple times for tourist visas and work permits prior to our PR application and it has never been an issue. So I think it should be ok. Do you think that our file was transferred to Montreal due to that ”yes”?

I hope Montreal could expedite its processing times and we could all get our CoPRs soon. I am really drained as there is no estimated date or any clue. Although I and my husband are in Canada, we are unable to plan our life or settle. We have to keep our life on hold until we receive our CoPR, and this is exhausting…
 

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
I have a couple of questions @legalfalcon, and I appreciate it if you could answer or share your ideas.

Here’s my case:
FSW-inland with a dependent in Canada
AOR - Dec 9, 2020
Biometrics - 2018
Medicals - Jan 14, 2021
Criminality - started on Jan 14, 2021 - still in progress. RCMP checks completed within that day.
Eligibility - not started
Security - not started
Primary VO - Montreal
Secondary VO - CIO
File was transferred to Montreal on Jan 15, 2021 due to workload & capacity. It was not assigned to a visa officer at the time of GCMS notes.

I received my GCMS notes at the end of March to see the above information. Today, I called IRCC and was told the exact same progress as above, except my file has been assigned to an officer since then. According to GCMS notes, my criminality was started by CIO and then my file was transferred to Montreal VO the next day. Since then, there is no progress. I asked the IRCC agent that I assume my file hasn’t been opened since it was transferred to Montreal. He told me that it doesn’t necessarily mean my file hasn’t been opened. It might have been opened and they may be waiting for the criminality to be completed, he said.

My case isn’t a complex one and the police certificates that my home country provided can be verified on the government portal with the QR code on them. So, I think it shouldn’t take so long to get them verified.

How long does criminality stage usually last? Is there any chance that my file has been opened by the visa officer and left with no additional progress at all? Wouldn’t they at least start reviewing the eligibility once they open the file?

I am frustrated to see that some CEC applicants with Jan 2021 AOR (with non-essential NOC codes) are getting their CoPRs. I would understand if they were working on the backlogs from 2019 & 2020 but it doesn’t make any sense to see such cases finalized in 2-3 months! I really wonder what kind of an order VOs are following…

Post 2018, criminality is based on PCCs and the biometrics fingerprints you submit. The PCC are verified early along with R10 and that is when you may see the value as passed, which will change to not started, and again to passed after your fingerprints are processed by RCMP and the results are transmitted to IRCC.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/biometrics/process-steps-2018.html

Criminality starts early in the process based on your PCCs and is concluded after your fingerprint scans are back from RCMP, which can take time based on when you provided the fingerprints and how long RCMP takes and even after the results are in, they have to be updated.

Irrespective, even if your criminality is in progress, other stages will continue to be processed.
 

kunalkardam

Full Member
Jan 29, 2020
30
8
Category........
FSW
You probably will not find much progress, wait at least untill your background check updates.
However it is your call
GL
In background check, I can see it as processing even though I have not received any GU for the same.

What do you think about it?
Should I wait till background check is cleared?

Thanks!
 

Guifig

Star Member
Nov 28, 2019
61
9
Category........
CEC
No additional document was asked.
My husband has a “yes” due to a denied entry to Greece around 8 years ago. The reason was a simple issue that is not related to him or his documents. We explained it in our application. We also gave out this information to IRCC multiple times for tourist visas and work permits prior to our PR application and it has never been an issue. So I think it should be ok. Do you think that our file was transferred to Montreal due to that ”yes”?

I hope Montreal could expedite its processing times and we could all get our CoPRs soon. I am really drained as there is no estimated date or any clue. Although I and my husband are in Canada, we are unable to plan our life or settle. We have to keep our life on hold until we receive our CoPR, and this is exhausting…
I totally feel you!
My guess is that positive answer to statutory questions goes to Montreal automatically. It’s just a guess and doesn’t mean your case is complex or not. I just think Montreal VO is specialized in those cases.
 

Guifig

Star Member
Nov 28, 2019
61
9
Category........
CEC
I believe VO is not related to how complex your application is. Looks all those in the first and second week of Dec have Montreal VO. I am Inland with inland dependent. I don't think my application is complicated. Mine is also Montreal VO, AOR Dec 5
Thanks for your message!
Ottawa is working on December AORs.
I’m wondering which AOR month Montreal is working on...
 

Bacelor

Hero Member
Oct 20, 2017
882
363
In background check, I can see it as processing even though I have not received any GU for the same.

What do you think about it?
Should I wait till background check is cleared?

Thanks!
Yes just hold your horses, do not waste your energy.

It took me from 18 Jan(Biometrics) to 10 April till BGC changed in Progress since then no change so i just raised GCMS notes request and honestly not really excited about what iam gonna see.

I suggest you wait a bit to get the most of it, it takes 30 days to receive (if lucky) just plan it worthy.

See below example of BGC progress
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/october-2020-aor-join-here.704508/post-9380871
 
Last edited:

ErinB67

Star Member
Jul 30, 2019
81
39
@legalfalcon

Hi everyone,

I just received my GCMS notes and I'm not sure if I should be worried:

Eligibility - Review required
Security - Not started
Criminality - Complete.

In reviewing the notes I see the following:

*REVIEW REQUIRED* - THE LETTER STATED RESIGNATION DECEMBER 31, 2017* CLIENT PROVIDED INFORMATION LETTER ABOUT NOC FOR FOREIGN WORK EXPERIENCE*** THE CLIENT PROVIDED ONLY TWO PAYSTUBS ONE FOR JUNE2014 AND ONE FOR DECEMBER2013*

I had sent in the paystubs I could find, but as they weren't required, I didnt think it would be a problem. Also, I'm not sure why the resignation date seems to be an issue.

Should i contact my former employer and try and get some additional payslips
 

kunalkardam

Full Member
Jan 29, 2020
30
8
Category........
FSW
Yes just hold your horses, do not waste your energy.

It took me from 18 Jan(Biometrics) to 10 April till BGC changed in Progress since then no change so i just raised GCMS notes request and honestly not really excited about what iam gonna see.

I suggest you wait a bit to get the most of it, it takes 30 days to receive (if lucky) just plan it worthy.

See below example of BGC progress
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/october-2020-aor-join-here.704508/post-9380871
Yes, anyhow we would have to wait as the current circumstances would not abate for at least this month. Will go for the GCMS notes once I see some activity on the profile.

Thanks!
 
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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
@legalfalcon

Hi everyone,

I just received my GCMS notes and I'm not sure if I should be worried:

Eligibility - Review required
Security - Not started
Criminality - Complete.

In reviewing the notes I see the following:

*REVIEW REQUIRED* - THE LETTER STATED RESIGNATION DECEMBER 31, 2017* CLIENT PROVIDED INFORMATION LETTER ABOUT NOC FOR FOREIGN WORK EXPERIENCE*** THE CLIENT PROVIDED ONLY TWO PAYSTUBS ONE FOR JUNE2014 AND ONE FOR DECEMBER2013*

I had sent in the paystubs I could find, but as they weren't required, I didnt think it would be a problem. Also, I'm not sure why the resignation date seems to be an issue.

Should i contact my former employer and try and get some additional payslips
It will depend on what dates you have provided and the duration for the work experience for which you have claimed the points.

I had an old post on RR, re-posting it here.



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.
 

ErinB67

Star Member
Jul 30, 2019
81
39
It will depend on what dates you have provided and the duration for the work experience for which you have claimed the points.

I had an old post on RR, re-posting it here.



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.
Thanks for the quick response.

I resigned from the company on Dec 31 but the period I am claiming for ends in 2014. I think that may be the issue. I will write to them to explain that. I have also requested additional payslips from the company.

Hopefully, that is enough to answer their questions.