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

[legalfalcon]

It is showing
"Diploma (Two Years) and Bachelor's Degree (Three years) As Canadian equivalency.

Your selection of two or more degrees is fine. see https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/education-assessed/read-report.html

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.

 

[kuknitin]

Your selection of two or more degrees is fine. see https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/education-assessed/read-report.html

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 a lot for your prompt and quick response.

 

[devinakarsten]

This is the normal process. There is nothing good or bad. If you have no criminal record, there is no need to be concerned.

Thank you @legalfalcon for your response.

Another thing that I've been wondering about, is the info on the GCMS notes based on the date requested or the date that we receive it? For example, I requested my notes on 24 March, received it on 20 May. In the note itself, it says on the top requested date: 24 March 2021, is the info that I'm seeing from March or May?

Also, I have heard some people say that when the file is moved to a local office, it is a good sign and that the application is moving. There is a secondary office in Etobicoke IRCC added in my notes, which wasn't there in my previous GCMS notes. Does this mean that my file is moved to Etobicoke IRCC?

Thank you so much for your help

 

[mussadsar]

I am not sure what your question is and which one you are referring to and 1 and 2.

Hello @legalfalcon ,
Sorry for the confusion. The question was that based upon the latest updated CBSA where it is now showing Security as BLANK, shall I assume that my eligibility is passed conclusively? the CBSA recvd prior to the new one was showing Security as passed. Please refer to the table in the previous post where I have shown the comparison between the previous and latest CBSA note date wise.

Also, in the new CBSA, i have seen my medicals getting extended for one more year, but in the Assesment section, my medicals are still showing as not started. Why is that so? do i need to give medicals again or shall wait for remaining months?

Hope the questions are clear. Thank you

 

[legalfalcon]

Hello @legalfalcon ,
Sorry for the confusion. The question was that based upon the latest updated CBSA where it is now showing Security as BLANK, shall I assume that my eligibility is passed conclusively? the CBSA recvd prior to the new one was showing Security as passed. Please refer to the table in the previous post where I have shown the comparison between the previous and latest CBSA note date wise.

Also, in the new CBSA, i have seen my medicals getting extended for one more year, but in the Assesment section, my medicals are still showing as not started. Why is that so? do i need to give medicals again or shall wait for remaining months?

Hope the questions are clear. Thank you

Security, if it is in progress or passed, may be redacted and show as blank. Since your security is blank, then your eligibility should be passed as security is usually the last stage and is initiated after eligibility is conclusively passed.

To be sure, check the eligibility note in the last 3-5 pages.

If your meds have been exuded, and the assessment section doe snot show as extended, then it has just not been updated.

 

[legalfalcon]

Thank you @legalfalcon for your response.

Another thing that I've been wondering about, is the info on the GCMS notes based on the date requested or the date that we receive it? For example, I requested my notes on 24 March, received it on 20 May. In the note itself, it says on the top requested date: 24 March 2021, is the info that I'm seeing from March or May?

Also, I have heard some people say that when the file is moved to a local office, it is a good sign and that the application is moving. There is a secondary office in Etobicoke IRCC added in my notes, which wasn't there in my previous GCMS notes. Does this mean that my file is moved to Etobicoke IRCC?

Thank you so much for your help

The information you see in the GCMS notes is how your application was as on the date the GCMS notes were generated. The date of generation is listed at the bottom of each page of the GCMS notes, usually a few days after the request is filed.

Applications are routinely transferred to many offices during the course of the processing, and this can be as a result of work load, specialisation required available at an office, administrative issues etc. See https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/file-transfer.html

What matters is the processing and which stage your application is at.

 

[devinakarsten]

The information you see in the GCMS notes is how your application was as on the date the GCMS notes were generated. The date of generation is listed at the bottom of each page of the GCMS notes, usually a few days after the request is filed.

Applications are routinely transferred to many offices during the course of the processing, and this can be as a result of work load, specialisation required available at an office, administrative issues etc. See https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/file-transfer.html

What matters is the processing and which stage your application is at.

@legalfalcon

Ohh I see. Thank you so much for answering.

My stages are
eligibility: passed
criminality: in progress
security: not started
Has been like this since January when I first requested my GCMS notes. Though, under criminality section, the first sub activities type is RCMP screening and there's a validity date for 2021/07/05.

I guess I'm just hoping for some enlightenment in my application because it's been a year

 

[legalfalcon]

@legalfalcon

Ohh I see. Thank you so much for answering.

My stages are
eligibility: passed
criminality: in progress
security: not started
Has been like this since January when I first requested my GCMS notes. Though, under criminality section, the first sub activities type is RCMP screening and there's a validity date for 2021/07/05.

I guess I'm just hoping for some enlightenment in my application because it's been a year

If you are outside Canada, then most applications for outland applicants are on hold until the travel restrictions are eased.

As regards your application, if your eligibility is passed, you need not worry. You just have to wait.

For criminality, it is based on PCCs you submit and the fingerprints you provide, which are processed by RCMP and a report sent. Lately RCMP is backlogged and many applications have criminality in progress. Irrespective, even if criminality is in progress, other stages will continue to progress.

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

 

[devinakarsten]

If you are outside Canada, then most applications for outland applicants are on hold until the travel restrictions are eased.

As regards your application, if your eligibility is passed, you need not worry. You just have to wait.

For criminality, it is based on PCCs you submit and the fingerprints you provide, which are processed by RCMP and a report sent. Lately RCMP is backlogged and many applications have criminality in progress. Irrespective, even if criminality is in progress, other stages will continue to progress.

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

Thank you @legalfalcon for answering. I guess it's just a waiting game for me then

 

[marinamuricy]

@legalfalcon I have requested GCMS via getgcms.com (CBSA) and I have not received my notes yet (30 days were completed on May 25). I sent an e-mail two days ago and I was informed that my notes have not been released yet by CBSA and that getgcms team filed a status request, however they didn't inform me how long it usually takes for CBSA to respond with the status. Do you have any idea of when can I expect some updates? Thanks.

 

[sgoldsmith]

Hi,

@legalfalcon, I have noticed throughout the examples of notes given in this thread that when an application is under "Review required", the case analyst sometimes will write the notes as "R87: appears to meet R75: appears to meet, etc." and sometime he writes "R87: review required R75 review required, etc.".

Is there an actual difference between the two ?

 

[legalfalcon]

Hi,

@legalfalcon, I have noticed throughout the examples of notes given in this thread that when an application is under "Review required", the case analyst sometimes will write the notes as "R87: appears to meet R75: appears to meet, etc." and sometime he writes "R87: review required R75 review required, etc.".

Is there an actual difference between the two ?

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.

 

[kkhan16]

Hi @legalfalcon a relative who lives in Canada filed for notes for me on March 10th. We have not received them yet. If by June 10th I do not get it, it will be 90 days. What is the process to get a status update on the notes from IRCC?

 

[legalfalcon]

Hi @legalfalcon a relative who lives in Canada filed for notes for me on March 10th. We have not received them yet. If by June 10th I do not get it, it will be 90 days. What is the process to get a status update on the notes from IRCC?

When you submitted your request, you Ould have received an email, the filing confirmation with the tracking number. In that email, you will have an email id where you can reach out to find the status of your GCMS notes.

ATIP-AIPRP@cic.gc.ca

IF you do not get a response from the above email for 1-2 weeks, you can file a formal complaint with the Office of the Information Commissioner. https://www.oic-ci.gc.ca/en/submitting-complaint

 

[caipsnotes]

Hi @legalfalcon a relative who lives in Canada filed for notes for me on March 10th. We have not received them yet. If by June 10th I do not get it, it will be 90 days. What is the process to get a status update on the notes from IRCC?

Have your relative contact IRCC ATIP. Your relative would have received an email from IRCC when the request was submitted, use that email to contact IRCC