+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

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

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,049
9,917
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
Hello @legalfalcon
My recent note came with Review Required for eligibility based on “PA resides in the UK, File referred to support supervisor for possible transfer to appropriate mission”

Do you understand this?
Do they intend to transfer my application to London Vo? I’m currently at RROC, submitted ADR for schedule A and POI.

will it be only London VO? Or any other VO they intend to transfer to?
Answered on another thread.
 

Hemilshah80

Hero Member
Apr 3, 2019
281
304
Category........
PNP
Visa Office......
Ottawa
@legalfalcon sir could you please guide ,

Received my notes from CBSA. It says

Eligibility - Passed
Criminality : Passed - Expired ( I am aware that Pcc have expired but Ircc hasnt asked us for resubmitting it yet )
Meds : Passed - expired ( in the admisibility section ,meds are passed and valid till 2022 Sept ( for me ) Oct ( Spouse ) & Nov for my( son.)
Info sharing : complete
Final :


1 ) Is it advisable to attach screenshots of my gcms notes to web form queries with an intent to inform ircc about the medical issue as they have kept it expired?
2 ) Will Ircc ask for re submitting PCCs or they may not ?


Thanking you in advance
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,049
9,917
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 sir could you please guide ,

Received my notes from CBSA. It says

Eligibility - Passed
Criminality : Passed - Expired ( I am aware that Pcc have expired but Ircc hasnt asked us for resubmitting it yet )
Meds : Passed - expired ( in the admisibility section ,meds are passed and valid till 2022 Sept ( for me ) Oct ( Spouse ) & Nov for my( son.)
Info sharing : complete
Final :


1 ) Is it advisable to attach screenshots of my gcms notes to web form queries with an intent to inform ircc about the medical issue as they have kept it expired?
2 ) Will Ircc ask for re submitting PCCs or they may not ?


Thanking you in advance

1. you can, but it is of no use. The officer knows your file or will look into it before working on it. Most of the files haven't been worked on, and that is why there is no progress. Sending a web form may not necessarily result in a request for new meds.

2. It depends. It will depend on whether your circumstances have changed and your country of origin and residence, and if that has changed. There is no yes or no answer to it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hemilshah80

Hemilshah80

Hero Member
Apr 3, 2019
281
304
Category........
PNP
Visa Office......
Ottawa
1. you can, but it is of no use. The officer knows your file or will look into it before working on it. Most of the files haven't been worked on, and that is why there is no progress. Sending a web form may not necessarily result in a request for new meds.

2. It depends. It will depend on whether your circumstances have changed and your country of origin and residence, and if that has changed. There is no yes or no answer to it.
I see . Thanks a lot.
 

Aatman

Member
Jul 11, 2021
18
3
@legalfalcon

I recently ordered my GCMS notes for my express entry profile - FSW-Outland.

AOR 6 NOV 2020 VO: NDVO
Eligibilty: review required
Security: not started
Medical, criminality: passed
Infosharing: in progress

BIOMETRIC MARCH 2021

I have a **review required on Eligibility** \- because of a **STAT question**. I have a US tourist visa rejection in 2019.

A 11.2 is MET, RPRF is complete. All other aspects are either MET or says Appears to meet.


I haven't received any updates from IRCC. The file is untouched since Jan 2021. Are there any red flags in my file? Should I take any actions from my end?

Kindly help me, please.
 

Stuart321

Star Member
Mar 17, 2021
50
23
Hello @legalfalcon
I see an entry that read “security data entry completed and submitted X2” as per my CBSA notes generated early April. And the status of my security is “in progress” as of 11th March. Does that mean I’m currently under security screening? Your inputs would be much appreciated.
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,049
9,917
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
Hello @legalfalcon
I see an entry that read “security data entry completed and submitted X2” as per my CBSA notes generated early April. And the status of my security is “in progress” as of 11th March. Does that mean I’m currently under security screening? Your inputs would be much appreciated.
X2 refers to two individuals. And security data is what CBSA/CSIS may have collected.

Check the dates if it has been completed or not. Usually, security takes 110 days. This is as per the Security screening manual.

See https://bit.ly/3KIeu1R
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,049
9,917
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

I recently ordered my GCMS notes for my express entry profile - FSW-Outland.

AOR 6 NOV 2020 VO: NDVO
Eligibilty: review required
Security: not started
Medical, criminality: passed
Infosharing: in progress

BIOMETRIC MARCH 2021

I have a **review required on Eligibility** \- because of a **STAT question**. I have a US tourist visa rejection in 2019.

A 11.2 is MET, RPRF is complete. All other aspects are either MET or says Appears to meet.


I haven't received any updates from IRCC. The file is untouched since Jan 2021. Are there any red flags in my file? Should I take any actions from my end?

Kindly help me, please.

The RR in itself only means that the reviewing analyst or assistant has marked this for further review by the officer who has carriage of your file.

Here is my old post on RR:


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 to (FSW / CEC / FTW). To streamline 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 is “ready to finalize” it simply means that while the applicant has met the eligibility criteria, 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 of “ready to finalize” or pass. The note will specifically state job duties do not match, the employee 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, it does happen. This is why the eligibility is only passed when an officer conclusively marks the eligibility as passed.

Finally, there is a “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 known as Certificate of Deposit (CD) in the US. Similarly, treasury bonds, mutual funds, stocks, and many other investment vehicles are there. If your PoF is 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 a “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.
6. Prior visa rejections.

These are just some of the scenarios.
 

caipsnotes

Champion Member
Jan 10, 2020
2,493
1,059
Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Buffalo, NY
The Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada submitted a Special Report to Parliament on May 25, 2021 titled “Access at Issue: Challenging the status quo“. This report stated that since most requesters are seeking information about the “Eligibility” of an immigration/citizenship application and the application’s “Officer’s Notes”, IRCC ATIP should work towards providing that information in a more concise format. IRCC ATIP accepted the recommendation and has created a streamlined GCMS ATIP Report that reflects those recommendations. This new report is more targeted and is shorter but still provides information about the eligibility and the officer’s notes of the requested application. This new GCMS ATIP Report is currently being piloted on requests for economic Permanent Residence applications (ie. Express Entry, Provincial Nominees, TR to PR Pathway).
 

Jiggy128

Full Member
Oct 2, 2019
41
1
NOC Code......
3211
Pre-Assessed..
Yes
Hello everyone
I got GSMC notes on 25 April 2022
My assessment is like

Eligibility : Passed
Security:
HIRV:
Criminality:passed
Org Crime:
Medical: In Process
Info Sharing :Completed
Other Req:
Final:
Well as my medical expired in Aug 2021 I gone for Upfront Remedical on 4th March 2022 but on 7th April they asked me to do my remedical as I can't do my medical twice in a year, I raised web form but my status is still no updated asking your action is required.
But in my gsmc notes it says IME received in EMed, what does it mean?
What can i do? Can i do my medical once again or nop? Or should I wait IRCC to update it?
Please help.
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,049
9,917
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
Hello everyone
I got GSMC notes on 25 April 2022
My assessment is like

Eligibility : Passed
Security:
HIRV:
Criminality:passed
Org Crime:
Medical: In Process
Info Sharing :Completed
Other Req:
Final:
Well as my medical expired in Aug 2021 I gone for Upfront Remedical on 4th March 2022 but on 7th April they asked me to do my remedical as I can't do my medical twice in a year, I raised web form but my status is still no updated asking your action is required.
But in my gsmc notes it says IME received in EMed, what does it mean?
What can i do? Can i do my medical once again or nop? Or should I wait IRCC to update it?
Please help.
The issue is that IRCC has stopped accepting upfront medicals for applications that had already been submitted. If you get a re-med done, it has to be updated manually, unlike an auto update that happens when IRCC sends you a re-med request that has an IME number, which is associated with your application. As soon as get a re-med done with the IRCC request, your meds upon being transmitted are attached to your application.

When you do meds on your own, it can take weeks for them to be attached to your application and with how swamped IRCC is, you never know when it will happen.

If you can, just get a new med done and use the letter sent by IRCC which has the IME number.

Alternatively, you will have to keep pursuing IRCC until your meds that have been submitted are attached to the application.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jiggy128

Jagjeet_anttal

Full Member
Mar 26, 2019
42
5
India
Category........
PNP
NOC Code......
2172
App. Filed.......
03-03-2022
Nomination.....
17-01-2022
AOR Received.
03-03-2022
Med's Done....
03-03-2022
@legalfalcon Sir, i am 3 March 2022 AOR & biometrics submitted on 25th April,2022.
Is it advisable to apply gcms notes as of now or should I wait?
Please advise
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,049
9,917
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 Sir, i am 3 March 2022 AOR & biometrics submitted on 25th April,2022.
Is it advisable to apply gcms notes as of now or should I wait?
Please advise
Currently, it is taking much longer to process applications. Wait for at least 3-4 months to pass by before requesting your GCMS notes. If you request them too soon, you may not see any substantial movement and it will just be a waste.
 

Vance.lin

Newbie
Jun 9, 2022
7
0
@legalfalcon

I lost copies of some past applications, and I have a few questions about the availability of documents and the retention rules. I recognize you might not have the answer to these, but it’d be helpful to have insight from someone who’s seen a lot of ATIP requests.

1. What constitutes an “administrative action” for the purpose of document retention?
E.g. Is that just granting the document? If a permit is reissued does this reset the clock? Could I extend the retention of future files by reseting the clock with ATIP requests? Could routine auditing and compliance monitoring “actions” or new applications mean some documents are available to request beyond the 2 year period?

2. I noticed that the PIB for “Migration Control and Security Management (PPU 068)” seems to cover all applications and notes a retention period for “up to 6 years.” Does this mean that the *substance* of all of our past applications is always available for 6 years even if the supporting documents or GCMS notes aren’t?

3. The CBSA TFW database seems to retain documents indefinitely, is information on study permit applicants with off-campus work authorization available from this source? How would we get the required FOSS number?
 

Habakhtiari

Star Member
Mar 23, 2020
53
17
Hi @legalfalcon
Sorry I have a question.
I am aor March 2020. I contacted the responsible office about my application and they wrote to me that “your security is in progress but your criminality has not started yet”. Isn’t it thay they check criminality at the beginning of process? Is it normal to be checked for criminality in this stage?
Thank you very much indeed