Pointers for New Applicants

[citizenship.enthusiast]

Haven't been active on the forum lately but figured I'll share a few pointers for new applicants. Please note these are my recommendations and might help your application move faster but use your own discretion.

- If you had to provide criminal record check(FP) during your PR processing, you might want to consider doing a FP before submission of your application and attach the results. Use your UCI.

- Request a copy of entry/exit record from CBSA before applying and fill out your presence calculator precisely with that record. You can also attach a copy of this to your application.

- Request your case notes every 2 months through the process to stay updated with where the application is.

- Don't bother CSIS unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary.

- Save a copy of your complete application as you might have to refer to it later in the process.

Good luck!

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Haven't been active on the forum lately but figured I'll share a few pointers for new applicants. Please note these are my recommendations and might help your application move faster but use your own discretion.

- If you had to provide criminal record check(FP) during your PR processing, you might want to consider doing a FP before submission of your application and attach the results. Use your UCI.

- Request a copy of entry/exit record from CBSA before applying and fill out your presence calculator precisely with that record. You can also attach a copy of this to your application.

- Request your case notes every 2 months through the process to stay updated with where the application is.

- Don't bother CSIS unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary.

- Save a copy of your complete application as you might have to refer to it later in the process.

Good luck!

Great tips!

One question though - Is it really possible to submit fingerprints without having a request letter from IRCC? Because from the posts that I have seen, you need a letter from IRCC (and an application number) to get your prints taken.

 

[Canadiann2020]

Great tips!

One question though - Is it really possible to submit fingerprints without having a request letter from IRCC? Because from the posts that I have seen, you need a letter from IRCC (and an application number) to get your prints taken.

I did my FP without any request from Ircc during my pr application but not sure if the FP agency requires a letter from IRCC to process in terms of citizenship.

 

[citizenship.enthusiast]

Great tips!

One question though - Is it really possible to submit fingerprints without having a request letter from IRCC? Because from the posts that I have seen, you need a letter from IRCC (and an application number) to get your prints taken.

Yes. If you provide your UCI(no application number needed) and let them know that you are applying for citizenship and want to submit the criminal record check, they will do it. Once you receive the FP results in mail, attach the original to your paper application or scan and upload for online. RCMP doesn't care, third party agencies need some convincing but I am more than certain it will cut short the background verification time for both online and paper applicants if it's done in advance even though IRCC says wait till it's requested.

The only caveat is if your application goes beyond 1 year period, they will ask for FP again so be prepared to lose 50-60 bucks. Also, this is only recommended if the applicant had to provide FP based check for PR.

 

[ELIZAG]

Haven't been active on the forum lately but figured I'll share a few pointers for new applicants. Please note these are my recommendations and might help your application move faster but use your own discretion.

- If you had to provide criminal record check(FP) during your PR processing, you might want to consider doing a FP before submission of your application and attach the results. Use your UCI.

- Request a copy of entry/exit record from CBSA before applying and fill out your presence calculator precisely with that record. You can also attach a copy of this to your application.

- Request your case notes every 2 months through the process to stay updated with where the application is.

- Don't bother CSIS unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary.

- Save a copy of your complete application as you might have to refer to it later in the process.

Good luck!

What does this mean? " Request your case notes every 2 months through the process to stay updated with where the application is"

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

What does this mean? " Request your case notes every 2 months through the process to stay updated with where the application is"

The OP is talking about GCMS notes.

 

[ELIZAG]

The OP is talking about GCMS notes.

I am quiet new here in the forum. I do not understand the abbreviation's. Do you mind explaining without Abbreviations.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

I am quiet new here in the forum. I do not understand the abbreviation's. Do you mind explaining without Abbreviations.

Expanding the abbreviation will not necessarily help you understand what they mean. You'll have to learn how the process works.

GCMS = Global Case Management System
ATIP = Access to Information and Privacy Act
IRCC = Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
OP = Other Person (Used to refer to a third person in a conversation)
Case notes and GCMS notes are synonymous


GCMS is a system that IRCC uses to process immigration and citizenship applications. When you request for a copy of your GCMS notes via the Privacy act, you'll receive a copy of the electronic file containing the status of your application and the updates made to it. When you don't know what's going on with your application and you are stuck in the process without any updates, applying for GCMS notes might help you understand where your application stands.

You'll apply for GCMS notes here => https://atip-aiprp.apps.gc.ca/atip/welcome.do

If you are applying for yourself, you can apply under the Privacy Act and there is no fee. If you are applying for someone else or are requesting corporate records of IRCC (files that aren't related to your application), then you should make a request under the Access to Information Act (The fee is $5).

 

[wink]

- Request a copy of entry/exit record from CBSA before applying and fill out your presence calculator precisely with that record. You can also attach a copy of this to your application.

Remember reading somewhere that this is not advised... but not sure where though.

 

[ELIZAG]

Expanding the abbreviation will not necessarily help you understand what they mean. You'll have to learn how the process works.

GCMS = Global Case Management System
ATIP = Access to Information and Privacy Act
IRCC = Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
OP = Other Person (Used to refer to a third person in a conversation)
Case notes and GCMS notes are synonymous


GCMS is a system that IRCC uses to process immigration and citizenship applications. When you request for a copy of your GCMS notes via the Privacy act, you'll receive a copy of the electronic file containing the status of your application and the updates made to it. When you don't know what's going on with your application and you are stuck in the process without any updates, applying for GCMS notes might help you understand where your application stands.

You'll apply for GCMS notes here => https://atip-aiprp.apps.gc.ca/atip/welcome.do

If you are applying for yourself, you can apply under the Privacy Act and there is no fee. If you are applying for someone else or are requesting corporate records of IRCC (files that aren't related to your application), then you should make a request under the Access to Information Act (The fee is $5).

Thank you for taking the time to write and explain. If this is a Family application request do we pay the fee?

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Thank you for taking the time to write and explain. If this is a Family application request do we pay the fee?

You're welcome. There is no "Family Request". Each applicant must apply separately (including minors).

 

[Mexontario]

Haven't been active on the forum lately but figured I'll share a few pointers for new applicants. Please note these are my recommendations and might help your application move faster but use your own discretion.

- If you had to provide criminal record check(FP) during your PR processing, you might want to consider doing a FP before submission of your application and attach the results. Use your UCI.

- Request a copy of entry/exit record from CBSA before applying and fill out your presence calculator precisely with that record. You can also attach a copy of this to your application.

- Request your case notes every 2 months through the process to stay updated with where the application is.

- Don't bother CSIS unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary.

- Save a copy of your complete application as you might have to refer to it later in the process.

Good luck!

Diagree with second point. While requesting CBSA entry/exits, they clearly state NOT to request this information if applying for citizenship. You can, instead attach CBP entry/exits if traveling frequently to US.

 

[thesonicbro]

Remember reading somewhere that this is not advised... but not sure where though.

I believe it is within the application form itself or the application guide.

 

[citizenship.enthusiast]

Remember reading somewhere that this is not advised... but not sure where though.

Same as when you call the message plays "the agent doesn't know more than what your application status shows online" while I'm reality they have a lot more visibility than most people would think.

Diagree with second point. While requesting CBSA entry/exits, they clearly state NOT to request this information if applying for citizenship. You can, instead attach CBP entry/exits if traveling frequently to US.

Again, it's not a debate. I shared what I think works and it's up to the individual to do it or leave it. Also, CBP entry exit is only for POE in the United States and not other international POEs which I am sure is not the only record a lot of applicants would require and hence, you will have too many records.

But yes, I would attach CBP record too. It can be obtained under FOIA if anyone's curious.

 

[wink]

Same as when you call the message plays "the agent doesn't know more than what your application status shows online" while I'm reality they have a lot more visibility than most people would think.

No, I agree with you. But what I don't understand is why they say that we should not try to get CBSA entry/exit report.