I applied for a TRV as visitor visa in July 11 2018 exactly 27 days have passed by today. My review of eligibilty has not started. I have a good travel history with multiple schenegan visas, multiple uk visitor visas, uk student visa for 5 years I returned back to India after my studies, active USA visa with 2 trips in the last 10 years, I am shocked to say its been 28 days and they havent even started reviewing my file till now.
Processing times mentioned on the IRCC website are only estimates/extended as a courtesy. Actual processing time depends on the individual application.
You could have requested for CAN+ processing. Again, there is no assurance that an application will be processed under CAN+.
Is it normal for them to open files after so long and disrupt peoples plans
It is perfectly normal. A visa (to any country) is a privilege and not a right. One needs to be patient to be accorded that privilege.
How much time is it normal for me to wait as I dont have multiple holidays in the year to take and plus my other plans are also at a disruption.
Immigration authorities of most countries, including Canada, advise not to book tickets and/or not to make any travel plans until a visa is granted.
What can i do to speeden up my application process.
You can send a IRCC web form to the relevant visa office to request for an early decision.
Am i a victim of the backlog and as it was a paper application I think my application is lying one side .
You're not a victim of any delay caused by a backlog of applications. This processing time is perfectly normal.
Any processing delay is most likely due to certain verification/checks that IRCC does on individual applications, not necessarily background checks.
Should I send a letter to the VFS office as I have to attend an urgent gathering in the USA too and without passport I cant leave the country.
VFS has no part to play in visa processing.
If you need to travel urgently to the US then send the IRCC web form + an email to the local visa office to request for your passport to be returned. You must clearly mention that you are not cancelling/withdrawing your application + you will return your passport when requested.
If you get a passport request when you're in the US then factor in at least 10-15 business days for visa stamping if you submit to a US VAC/CSC