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

[ptaghavi]

Thanks, everyone for the help. I don't know why after 6.5 months eligibility is not passed yet

 

[legalfalcon]

Thanks, everyone for the help. I don't know why after 6.5 months eligibility is not passed yet

6.5 months is not unusual. Your eligibility is recommended passed, and administrative delays are common.

 

[caipsnotes]

Thanks, everyone for the help. I don't know why after 6.5 months eligibility is not passed yet

Unfortunately IRCC has been taking longer to process applications. Latest stats

In 2019, IRCC did not meet the processing standard of finalizing 80% of all applications sourced via Express Entry within six months. The processing time for Express Entry, overall, was eight months. As an alternative measure of processing times, 60% of applications finalized in the 12-month period ending on December 31, 2019, were completed within the six-month service standard. Source

 

[ahmad jameel]

Usually study permits have a quick turn around. If you haven't heard back, send a webform and ask for the status. You will get a response within 1-2 weeks. GCMS notes will take longer. So if you do not get a satisfactory response, only then you can consider requesting GCMS notes.

Also, you can call IRCC.

I did not get any response via webform. So I called IRCC, agent told me that my background check has passed, (medical is already passed), and eligibility is in the review. Where do I stand with this information? What part of eligibility takes this long? To my knowledge documents verification usually take time (which is covered in background check) then its the VO review. Does it means that I am just waiting for VO final review?

 

[daveishan]

I did not get any response via webform. So I called IRCC, agent told me that my background check has passed, (medical is already passed), and eligibility is in the review. Where do I stand with this information? What part of eligibility takes this long? To my knowledge documents verification usually take time (which is covered in background check) then its the VO review. Does it means that I am just waiting for VO final review?

To know why your eligibility is under review, it is best to ask for GCMS notes.

 

[caipsnotes]

I did not get any response via webform. So I called IRCC, agent told me that my background check has passed, (medical is already passed), and eligibility is in the review. Where do I stand with this information? What part of eligibility takes this long? To my knowledge documents verification usually take time (which is covered in background check) then its the VO review. Does it means that I am just waiting for VO final review?

Background check is a generic term covering security, criminality and info sharing. If Security is underway then it usually means your Eligibility is passed. Web form response while helpful can vary, see some example https://help.gcmsnotes.com/code/web-form

 

[riya2018]

To know why your eligibility is under review, it is best to ask for GCMS notes.

Under review and review required are same?

 

[caipsnotes]

Under review and review required are same?

The message "Review Required" is usually related to the following; under review is review of eligibility

• Proof of funds
• Reference letter
• Work experience
• Employment verification
  
  
  

 

[legalfalcon]

I did not get any response via webform. So I called IRCC, agent told me that my background check has passed, (medical is already passed), and eligibility is in the review. Where do I stand with this information? What part of eligibility takes this long? To my knowledge documents verification usually take time (which is covered in background check) then its the VO review. Does it means that I am just waiting for VO final review?

The background check comprises of Criminality + Security. You will see the BGC status in your MyCIC account change twice, once early I the processing, and once later in the processing. This happens once for criminality, and then again for security.

If you were informed that your BGC has been passed, and your eligibility is in process, it means that your criminality was passed, and your security will be initiated only after your eligibility is passed.

See my older post on this available at: #4,004

All application go though the following stages:

R10
Medicals
Criminality
Eligibility
Security

To read in the stages, see https://bit.ly/3jUz8Pb


After the eligibility is passed, the security is initiated. In the GCMS notes the security details are redacted, so the security on page 2 if it is blank, can indicate in progress or passed.

 

[legalfalcon]

Under review and review required are same?

No they are different. under review simply means that the specific stage is being reviewed. However, if you specifically see review required, which is marked by an assistant or analyst, and is a flag for the officer who marks the eligibility as passed conclusively to look at the flags issue.

Reposting my older post on review required:

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.

These are just some of the scenarios.

 

[felix-m]

Hi @legalfalcon, do you mind to help me to understand my GCMS notes from recently? I'm a CEC inland applicant with spouse accompanying me

Here is my 2nd Page :
========================================================================
Triage:
REFUGEE
Processing Priority:
Financial Support:
Access Via:
Referral/Ml CC#:
ECONOMIC
ESDC File #:
Available Funds (CAD): 55,000 Net Worth (CAD):
Sub Eval:
Facilitator:
LCP Start Date:
MINISTERIAL INSTRUCTIONS Type: EE-Ml1
Criteria:
Status:
PNC INFORMATION
PNC #:
Valid To:
Province(s) of Interest: ON
ASSESSMENTS
Eligibility: Passed
Security: Not Started
HIRV:
Criminality: In Progress
Org Crime:
Medical: Passed
Misrepresentation:
Info Sharing: In Progress Other Reqs: Not Started Final:
PAPER FILE
Office:
#:
Location:
APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT Assigned To: JS13765 Assigned By: JS13765
Due Date: 2020/09/30
========================================================================

And here is my late pages(almost the end of the end page)

===============================================================================

NOTES: 1
Created Date: 2020/08/31 10:46:06
Created By: JS13765
Updated Date: 2020/08/31 10:46:36
Updated By: JS13765
Restricted: No
Label: General
Office: CPC-Ottawa
Text: ***OFFICER REVIEW*** File reviewed. Eligibility passed. Integrated search completed -no adverse info found. Biometrics -RCMP pending.
NOTES: 2
Created Date: 2020/08/31 10:44:11
Created By: JS13765
Updated Date: 2020/08/31 10:46:03
Updated By: JS13765
Restricted: No
Label: EE Eligibility
Office: CPC-Ottawa
Text:
OFFICER REVIEW-APPLICATION- E001868902 PASS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ****** A 11.2 ASSESSMENT/ R87.1 ELIGIBILITY****** Canadian Work Experience/ FWE/ WP -Following review of the application, FOSS history, employment, language test results and upon analysis - I am satisfied on balance of probabilities the PA meets eligibility requirements of Section R87.1 of the Regulations.
NOTES: 3
Created Date: 2020/08/25 12:19:10
Created By: NN9961
Updated Date: 2020/08/25 12:19:33
Updated By: NN9961
Restricted: No
Label: Eligibility
Office: CPC-Ottawa
Text:
Case Analyst: Recommend Pass Lock-in Date: 2020-05-20_*NUMBER_CENSORED* PA: *NAME CENSORED* - EE CEC Having analyzed this application based on the documents submitted by the applicant and the information contained in the file, I make the following recommendation.
ANALYST
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Pass A11.2: Appears Met R87.1: CEC MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS - Appears Met Ready to Finalize RPRF: Complete

==============================================================================================

So my question is, does my Eligibility stage is really passed? how about my spouse Eligibility stage? does it mean both of us has passed the Eligibility stage or not?

So is it safe to say that we are on Criminality stage now? I have not get my biometrics done for PR, but I've done my RCMP and no criminality detected.

 

[legalfalcon]

Hi @legalfalcon, do you mind to help me to understand my GCMS notes from recently? I'm a CEC inland applicant with spouse accompanying me

Here is my 2nd Page :
========================================================================
Triage:
REFUGEE
Processing Priority:
Financial Support:
Access Via:
Referral/Ml CC#:
ECONOMIC
ESDC File #:
Available Funds (CAD): 55,000 Net Worth (CAD):
Sub Eval:
Facilitator:
LCP Start Date:
MINISTERIAL INSTRUCTIONS Type: EE-Ml1
Criteria:
Status:
PNC INFORMATION
PNC #:
Valid To:
Province(s) of Interest: ON
ASSESSMENTS
Eligibility: Passed
Security: Not Started
HIRV:
Criminality: In Progress
Org Crime:
Medical: Passed
Misrepresentation:
Info Sharing: In Progress Other Reqs: Not Started Final:
PAPER FILE
Office:
#:
Location:
APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT Assigned To: JS13765 Assigned By: JS13765
Due Date: 2020/09/30
========================================================================

And here is my late pages(almost the end of the end page)

===============================================================================

NOTES: 1
Created Date: 2020/08/31 10:46:06
Created By: JS13765
Updated Date: 2020/08/31 10:46:36
Updated By: JS13765
Restricted: No
Label: General
Office: CPC-Ottawa
Text: ***OFFICER REVIEW*** File reviewed. Eligibility passed. Integrated search completed -no adverse info found. Biometrics -RCMP pending.
NOTES: 2
Created Date: 2020/08/31 10:44:11
Created By: JS13765
Updated Date: 2020/08/31 10:46:03
Updated By: JS13765
Restricted: No
Label: EE Eligibility
Office: CPC-Ottawa
Text:
OFFICER REVIEW-APPLICATION- E001868902 PASS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ****** A 11.2 ASSESSMENT/ R87.1 ELIGIBILITY****** Canadian Work Experience/ FWE/ WP -Following review of the application, FOSS history, employment, language test results and upon analysis - I am satisfied on balance of probabilities the PA meets eligibility requirements of Section R87.1 of the Regulations.
NOTES: 3
Created Date: 2020/08/25 12:19:10
Created By: NN9961
Updated Date: 2020/08/25 12:19:33
Updated By: NN9961
Restricted: No
Label: Eligibility
Office: CPC-Ottawa
Text:
Case Analyst: Recommend Pass Lock-in Date: 2020-05-20_*NUMBER_CENSORED* PA: *NAME CENSORED* - EE CEC Having analyzed this application based on the documents submitted by the applicant and the information contained in the file, I make the following recommendation.
ANALYST
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Pass A11.2: Appears Met R87.1: CEC MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS - Appears Met Ready to Finalize RPRF: Complete

==============================================================================================

So my question is, does my Eligibility stage is really passed? how about my spouse Eligibility stage? does it mean both of us has passed the Eligibility stage or not?

So is it safe to say that we are on Criminality stage now? I have not get my biometrics done for PR, but I've done my RCMP and no criminality detected.

On page 2 you have to see the assessments, which for your are:


ASSESSMENTS
Eligibility: Passed
Security: Not Started
HIRV:
Criminality: In Progress
Org Crime:
Medical: Passed
Misrepresentation:
Info Sharing: In Progress Other Reqs: Not Started Final:
PAPER FILE
Office:

Based on this, your eligibility should be recommended passed or passed. Now on to the notes.

Your most recent note reads:


NOTES: 1
Created Date: 2020/08/31 10:46:06
Created By: JS13765
Updated Date: 2020/08/31 10:46:36
Updated By: JS13765
Restricted: No
Label: General
Office: CPC-Ottawa
Text: ***OFFICER REVIEW*** File reviewed. Eligibility passed. Integrated search completed -no adverse info found. Biometrics -RCMP pending.

So your eligibility has been conclusively passed by the officer, and not your security will start soon. Eligibility is done for the primary applicant, and in that itself the points for your spouse are also computed. There is no separate eligibility for spouse.

Criminality is usually done along with R10. You will see a note for R10, completeness check. However, if you are inland, and have not given your biometrics, then your criminality will show pending until you provide the RCMP and biometrics.

 

[felix-m]

On page 2 you have to see the assessments, which for your are:


ASSESSMENTS
Eligibility: Passed
Security: Not Started
HIRV:
Criminality: In Progress
Org Crime:
Medical: Passed
Misrepresentation:
Info Sharing: In Progress Other Reqs: Not Started Final:
PAPER FILE
Office:

Based on this, your eligibility should be recommended passed or passed. Now on to the notes.

Your most recent note reads:


NOTES: 1
Created Date: 2020/08/31 10:46:06
Created By: JS13765
Updated Date: 2020/08/31 10:46:36
Updated By: JS13765
Restricted: No
Label: General
Office: CPC-Ottawa
Text: ***OFFICER REVIEW*** File reviewed. Eligibility passed. Integrated search completed -no adverse info found. Biometrics -RCMP pending.

So your eligibility has been conclusively passed by the officer, and not your security will start soon. Eligibility is done for the primary applicant, and in that itself the points for your spouse are also computed. There is no separate eligibility for spouse.

Criminality is usually done along with R10. You will see a note for R10, completeness check. However, if you are inland, and have not given your biometrics, then your criminality will show pending until you provide the RCMP and biometrics.

Thank you so much for your reply!
I've done my RCMP from a month and half ago.
How long usually does it take for me to get my PPR with the timeline before covid?

Does flagpoling for PR card is something that we could do now?

 

[legalfalcon]

Thank you so much for your reply!
I've done my RCMP from a month and half ago.
How long usually does it take for me to get my PPR with the timeline before covid?

Does flagpoling for PR card is something that we could do now?

Is is not when you send the documents, it is when those documents are added to your file and are examined, which can take a few weeks. Currently, IRCC is not allowing flag polling. However, you can call the border crossing for specific details.

 

[vicky0143]

Hi @legalfalcon , can you please help me understand these notes? It doesn't look like my eligibility is conclusively passed. Also INFO SHARING shows still in progress. But Biometrics were already sent from USA and received by IRCC. So I am confused about these two. My timeline is in my signature.
==============================
ASSESSMENTS
Eligibility: Passed
Security: Not Started
HIRV:
Criminality: Passed
Org Crime:
Medical: Passed
Misrepresentation:
Info Sharing: In Progress
Other Reqs:
Final:
==============================
NOTES: 1
Updated Date: 2020/09/02 10:57:12
Label: Adm/Criminality
Office: Centralized Intake Office
Text: *** AGENT REVIEW *** POLICE CERTIFICATES R10 OK; no A36 concerns evident. Criminality Decision Passed.

NOTES: 2
Updated Date: 2020/09/02 10:56:58
Label: EE Eligibility
Office: Centralized Intake Office
Text:
REVIEW TYPE: A11.2 - CASE PROCESSING AGENT

APPLICATION: Exxxxxxxxx ​

REGULATION: PNP: FSW,2020-06-27 ​

I have reviewed this application based upon the documents submitted by the applicant and the​

information contained in the file and note the following. ​

RECOMMENDATION:***Appears to meet requirements*** ​

A11.2: MET R75: ​

APPEARS TO MEET R87: ​

APPEARS TO MEET R76: Selection Criteria - FSW POINTS: ​

APPEARS TO MEET R76: Selection Criteria - FUNDS: SETTLEMENT FUNDS ARE MET ​

MEDICAL: ALL VALID ​

Ready to Finalize ​

______________________________​

PNP NOMINATION: -​

Province of Nomination: ON. ​

- PNC#: 2xxxxxx. ​

- Province matches current residence: No. ​

- Nomination validity: Original. ​

- Case Type: Economic Case.​

_______________________________​

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) CRS Score at invitation to apply (ITA) 1068 ​

CRS points minimum score for round: 757 ​

CRS score at application (APR): 1053 ​

Total CRS Points Assessed: 1053 ​

| have reviewed the following for CRS points: PA gained points as SINGLE at ITA and APR PA gained points for 1 year(s) Foreign​

Work Experience with MYCOMPANYNAME​

edoc# 3xxxxxxxx ​

*Skill Transferability* 025 - Foreign Work Experience - Verified ​

____________________________​

EDUCATION CREDENTIAL(S) PROVIDED​

Master's Degree, COMPUTER SCIENCE R75(2)(A) PRIMARY OCCUPATION: NOC 2175 Web Designers and​

Developers WORK EXPERIENCE 1: Foreign Ul Developer (NOC: 2175) for MYCOMPANYNAME R75(2) LETTER OF​

EMPLOYMENT (eDoc# 3xxxxxxxx): Dated: 2020-02-25 Job Description consistent with lead statement and main​

duties of declared NOC - YES ​

____________________________​

FSW POINTS: APPEARS TO MEET FSW score at ITA: 75 / Min required FSW Score: 67 Total FSW Points Assessed: 68 09 - R80​

Work Experience - Verified R76(1)(B) SETTLEMENT FUNDS: CAD $xxxxx Verified by statement from: MYBANKNAME, Date: 2020-06-23 Family of 1 requires CAD $12 960​

____________________________​

Family Composition : NO CONCERNS PA​

(MYLASTNAME, FIRSTNAME), SINGLE PASSPORT EXPIRY: 2xxx-0x-0x​

____________________________​

INTEGRATED SEARCH (FOSS/GCMS): PA​

(MYLASTNAME, FIRSTNAME) No trace in GCMS/FOSS other than present application​

NOTES: 3
Updated Date: 2020/08/11 14:08:40
Label: EE Eligibility
Office: Centralized Intake Office
Text:
REVIEW TYPE: Program Assistant

APPLICATION #: E0xxxxxxxx ​

REGULATION: PNP ​

I have reviewed this application based upon the documents submitted by the applicant and the information contained in the file and​

note the following. ​

MIN.SCORE: 757 ​

CRS SCORE: 1,053 ​

Principal Applicant Application Promoted: New UCI​

Primary Applicant Medical Attached to UCI: Yes ​

Client Fees: Verified ​

----- DOCUMENTS SET FOR REVIEW-----​

Client Enquiry Client Information ​

----- LANGUAGES----- ​

Principal Applicant ​

1 -English- IELTS - Met Threshold &Verified ​

----- EDUCATION----- ​

Primary Applicant ​

1-ECA report Verified on issuing agency website; foreign credential confirmed on ECA site ECA Canadian Equivalency Summary reported by issuing agency as: Master's degree Foreign credential provided ​

----- POLICE CERTIFICATE----- ​

Primary Applicant ​

1- USA FBI police certificate: Provided-NRT ​

2- India police certificate: Provided-NRT ​

R10 OK ​

Recommendation: Pass Criminality​

----AGE----- ​

Applicant's age reviewed and No Change from ITA to e-APR​