Stages an Application goes through
- AOR
- Completeness Check (R10)
- Medicals
- Biometrics
- Criminality (part of Background check)
- Info Sharing (part of Background check)
- Review of Eligibility (A11.2)
- Security (part of Background check)
- Final Decision
After an application is recieved....
AOR
AOR (Acknowledgement of Receipt) is automatically generated by the system providing confirmation that an application was submitted successfully. For most applicants,it can take longer up to 2-3 Months. The application is locked on the date when it is filed and post submission only in a few instances you have to inform IRCC of any changes. UCI number is generated at this stage. The temporary UCI number will change to a regular UCI number after the application crosses the R10 Completeness Check stage.
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
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 is 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.
Usually, before the end of Review of eligibility stage Medicals and Criminality are also passed. At this stage some applicant's also receive a request to pay the 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).
Review of medical results
Usually, at the eligibility stage (A11.2), the medicals are also passed, which can be approximately 1 to 1.5 months after AOR. (It will typically take more time for applicants with a provincial nomination). In most cases, once the medicals are passed, they are good until the final review stage. On MyCIC account review of medical results will change to the date when the medicals are passed (MEP). In terms of the date related to medical exams, the date the panel physician transmits the results to IRCC matters and not the date of the medical exam itself. Also see this CHAT that represents the steps taken by the doctor and the government upon determining a medical issue.
Expiry, re-meds and extensions - If the medical results are about to expire then you
may be asked for a re-medical examination, if required. If a re-med is not required then the medicals will be extended.
Review of additional documents
The applicant will be contacted if additional documents are required. IRCC can make a request for any information right up to when the application is approved, though most requests are usually made during Eligibility Review stage. On MyCIC account review of additional documents will show "We do not need additional documents," unless you receive a document request.
Interview
The applicant will be contacted if an interview is required. Although interviews are most common for spousal sponsorship applications, IRCC may request an interview for any application. On MyCIC account for most applicants this will state "You do not need an interview.
Biometric
If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) for every application for permanent residence you submit. Even if you gave your biometrics in the past and they’re still valid. Before an application can be approved and before security checks (the last stage) can start, the
biometrics have to be completed. If the applicant is already in Canada, then the biometrics are not required until IRCC asks for it. (Up to December 2019 biometrics were not required for permanent resident applicants inside Canada.) On MyCIC account this will change when you are requested for biometrics (Biometrics Instruction Letter BIL) and later when you have submitted the biometrics.
Background check
A procedure to verify the criminal and/or security background of visa applicants to ensure they’re admissible to Canada. Background check (BGC) is a generic term for criminality, security and information sharing. Three federal bodies work together to do immigration and citizenship screenings:
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
Criminality Checks - Criminality checks consist mainly of examining the information that accompanies an application, which includes a (PCC) from all countries where the applicant has lived for more than six months. [After submitting an application there is no requirement to provide any additional PCCs to IRCC. However, at the discretion of IRCC it can ask for additional PCCs.] IRCC does background check for all inland applicants and they will ask explicitly for Canadian PCC if needed.
Usually this is reviewed at the R10 Completeness Check stage or before Review of eligibility starts. (CEC and inland applicants require a RCMP PCC and as a result the criminality stage will not be marked passed until the RCMP report is filed with IRCC). To save some processing time the RCMP PCC can be submitted along with the initial application and it can reduce processing time by a few weeks.
✔ INFORMATION SHARING : The primary purpose of information sharing is to check the criminal history, human rights and terrorism related issues at partner countries. The object of information-sharing is to support the effective administration and enforcement of Canada’s citizenship and immigration programs including, but not limited to, such matters as:
Final decision
At the final review, when the security results come in and are clear, the application is finalized and the applicant receives a
Passport Request Form (PPR). [Note: Inland applicants don't need to send their passport as they will be sent the Confirmation of Permanent Residence COPR. Only if the applicant is outside Canada and not from a visa exempt country then you will have to submit your passport to receive the PR visa.] At this stage IRCC will also check if your medicals and passport are still valid. Before PPR is sent the details of an applicant's COPR, its expiration and the PR visa are input into the GCMS system. The COPR and PR visa cannot be issued by IRCC beyond the validity of the applicants passport or medicals, whichever expires first. Counterfoil refers to the visa.
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