GCMS Notes...
First of all, to raise GCMS note doesn't impact on file processing and within time frame the notes will received by requested person. The GCMS file is a computer printout from Ottawa, Canada where it will have the details of the points calculations, immigration officer's notes, program assistant's notes, details of the processing stages passed, etc.
Good time to raise it:
It is not good to raise GCMS note if you have not received your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) then the GCMS Notes will probably not have been created yet. So it's best to request GCMS Notes when you receive your AOR. However, sometimes there can be delays in sending out AOR's and obtaining your GCMS Notes can confirm whether the Immigration office has started processing the application or not.
Good to know the minimum but important info:
The GCMS file will normally have, at minimum, two useful pieces of information:
- The forward date will tell you when your application will be put on an immigration officer's desk for formal assessment. This is when you will discover if you have been granted an interview waiver. Please note that the forward date is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a time frame for an interview or selection decision.
- The preliminary points assessment (entered by paper screeners at the visa office) will indicate whether the visa office is interpreting your application in the way you had hoped. If a problem appears here then you have the opportunity to send additional documents in before an immigration officer formally assesses the file.
Good to know an invited to an interview:
The GCMS file will have the immigration officer's notes entered when he reviewed the file and decided an interview was required. The GCMS notes will normally indicate to you why you need to be interviewed.
Good to know after passed medicals, and paid the Right of Landing Fee:
The normal reason for delays after medical are CSIS (Canadian Security and Intelligence Service) security checks or a processing error. The GCMS file will indicate if security checks have been completed, and what other steps are outstanding if any.
