FAQ

[mayankpandya]

Status Report on Major Crown ProjectsGlobal Case Management System 1. DescriptionThe Global Case Management System (GCMS) is Citizenship and Immigration Canada's (CIC's) electronic business platform. It is integral to making the citizenship and immigration system more modern, efficient, flexible and responsive to Canada's labour market. It is essential to improving citizenship and immigration services, maintaining program integrity and strengthening the security of Canada.

GCMS is helping CIC move toward an increasingly centralized, integrated and virtual business model. It enhances CIC's reporting capability to assist in detecting fraud. GCMS also lays the foundation to support future business improvements and innovation, such as the introduction of e-services, improved identity management through biometrics and paperless case processing.

2. Project PhasesGCMS was granted preliminary project approval by Treasury Board in 2001. In September 2004, it was successfully implemented for the Citizenship Program. The first version of GCMS is currently being used to process more than 200,000 applications each year for Canadian citizenship and proof of citizenship.

As a result of independent reviews, GCMS underwent a project assessment, and a revised go-forward plan was developed with a reduced scope. In August 2008, Treasury Board granted approval to develop the next phase of GCMS, which focused on visa offices overseas where the majority of clients first seek CIC services.

An independent review completed in June 2009 confirmed that the project schedule is achievable, the technology is sound and the initiative is on track. In June 2010, the first visa office overseas will begin using the GCMS Release 2. Once fully implemented in March 2011, GCMS will provide a single, integrated processing capability for all citizenship and overseas immigration applications.

3. Leading and Participating Departments and Agencies
Lead Department Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Contracting Authority Public Works and Government Services Canada
Participating Departments Canada Border Services Agency

4. Prime Contractor
Prime Contractor None (CIC is responsible for system integration.)

5. Major Milestones
Major Milestone Date
Treasury Board approves funding for the GCMS project at the same time as CIC's Treasury Board submission on the implementation of policy reforms and the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). August 2000
Treasury Board grants Preliminary Project Approval and major Crown project designation to GCMS. March 2001
Treasury Board grants Effective Project Approval (EPA) to GCMS. January 2002
Request for proposal for the acquisition of a commercial, off-the-shelf software package for case management is posted for tender by Public Works and Government Services Canada. February 2002
Contract for the off-the-shelf software package for case management is awarded. March 2003
Treasury Board grants amended EPA to GCMS to address the impact of procurement delays. October 2003
The first GCMS business component (Citizenship) is implemented. September 2004
Treasury Board grants a second amendment to the EPA to address the impact of cumulative slippage that includes critical new requirements in project scope, and provides for an incremental deployment approach. September 2005
Completion of a System Under Development audit of the GCMS project. November 2005
Treasury Board grants a third amendment to the EPA to address a wording anomaly with regard to the GST. December 2006
Independent review indicates the need to assess project status and review options for completing GCMS objectives. December 2006
Treasury Board grants a fourth amendment to the EPA to undertake this assessment and to develop a revised go-forward plan. February 2007
Treasury Board grants a fifth amendment to the EPA, extending the time frame for completion of a substantive go-forward plan to late fiscal 2007–2008. October 2007
Independent review validates project's recovery plan and project team's readiness to deliver. December 2007
Treasury Board grants a sixth amendment to the EPA with a reduced scope for the second release of GCMS. August 2008
Independent review confirms that technology is sound, project schedule is achievable and that "success is within sight." June 2009
Treasury Board releases remainder of funding required to complete the project. September 2009
Deployment of new GCMS version to existing citizenship users. May 2010
GCMS deployment to first visa office overseas. June 2010
GCMS deployment to all visa offices overseas is complete. March 2011

6. Progress Report and Explanations of VariancesThe GCMS project is within its approved budgetary estimate of $387 million and is on schedule to deploy GCMS Release 2 to its first international mission in June 2010.

In September 2009, Treasury Board reviewed the latest project status report and released the remainder of the funding required to complete the project.

Previously, in August 2008, Treasury Board granted approval to extend the time required to complete the project to March 31, 2011, and increased the project's total spending authority to $387 million (including GST). Consistent with recommendations from independent reviews conducted between December 2006 and December 2007, GCMS Release 2 is being developed with a reduced scope focused on visa offices overseas.

The GCMS project has faced considerable challenges, adding to the cost and time needed to complete the project, including:

an overly ambitious scope with no initial phased delivery;
a change of government direction to commercial off-the-shelf software;
splitting of immigration with the creation of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA);
amendments to the IRPA, representing a major change in the administration of the immigration system; and
a need to respond to increased security risks, while respecting privacy.
Temporary Resident Biometrics Project 1. DescriptionCIC and CBSA are jointly responsible for the delivery of Canada's immigration program. In accordance with IRPA, CIC and CBSA work together to manage the movement of clients across and within Canada's borders. Under the Customs Act, all people and goods entering Canada must report to CBSA at a port of entry. Among the issues addressed by CBSA are illegal migration, preventing the admission into Canada of persons involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity, and detention and removal from Canada of inadmissible persons.

Today, the use of biometrics is expanding rapidly given its unique approach and its potential to identify an individual reliably. The introduction of biometric technology into the temporary resident stream screening process will enhance the screening of applicants in the temporary program, thereby fixing the client's identity at the time of application for a visa or for a study or work permit, and allowing verification of that identity when the individual seeks entry at the border. As a result, Canada will better ensure the safety and security of Canadian society and reduce abuse of the immigration system by limiting opportunities for persons with Canadian criminal or deportation histories to use alternate identities to return to Canada. The project will also facilitate the processing of legitimate temporary workers, students and visitors. Many other countries, including such key migration countries as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, have either recently implemented or are planning to implement similar projects.

2. Project PhasesThe Temporary Resident Biometrics Project is currently in its planning/definition phase and will begin the implementation phase in late 2011. During the planning/definition phase, CIC, CBSA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are working collaboratively to define the solution, as well as the approaches and plans for implementing the Temporary Resident Biometrics Project. A critical first step is the clear definition of a set of comprehensive business and supporting infrastructure requirements agreed to by all partners. Requirements will then be used to define the business solution and how it will work (functional design), how technology will enable the solution (technical design), and how all the pieces fit and work together (supporting architectures).

Substantive plans and strategies for completing the project and managing the business change will be finalized and approved by all partners, culminating in a submission to obtain EPA.

During the implementation phase, the project will focus on developing, monitoring and controlling deliverables (as defined by the business requirements), while meeting schedule commitments.

3. Leading and Participating Departments and AgenciesIn late 2007, CIC sought policy approval for the introduction of biometrics into the Temporary Resident Program, and funding to support this initiative was included in Budget 2008. Following the budget announcement, a Biometrics Project Office was established in CIC as the lead organization for managing this investment. The project will be developed and implemented with the active participation of three primary federal government departments and agencies: CIC, CBSA and the RCMP.


Lead Department Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Contracting Authority Public Works and Government Services Canada
Participating Departments CBSA and the RCMP

4. Prime and Major Subcontractor(s)
Prime Contractor None (Tendering in late 2010)


5. Major Milestones


List of Major Milestones Date
Effective Project Approval 2010
Request for Proposal (RFP) Tender 2010
Deployment 2011-2013
Project Shutdown 2013

6. Progress Report and Explanations of VariancesFunding was included in Budget 2008 to enhance and strengthen identity management within the Temporary Resident Program, allowing overseas visa officers and border service officers at ports of entry to make decisions based on accurate identity and immigration admissibility information, and permitting border service officers to verify applicants' identity at Canada's ports of entry.

An independent review concluded that the project is a solid initiative with a good approach, has clear objectives that are important and measurable, is highly aligned with the core mandates of the three partner agencies, is well defined, and does not have challenges associated with other projects.

7. Industrial BenefitsThis major Crown project does not directly benefit Canadian industry; it is a project to improve the safety of Canadian citizens. Immigration and the granting of Canadian citizenship are vital to the continued growth and prosperity of Canada. To support the Government of Canada outcomes of strong economic growth and a safe and secure world, a balance must be maintained between the desire to welcome newcomers to Canada and the obligation to protect the health, safety and security of Canadian society. Criminals, terrorists and other known inadmissible persons must not be allowed to enter or stay in Canada.

 

[mkshah]

Dear all,
Here I am posting the FAQs posted on CIC website for FSW applications post 26th June 2010.
They may clear many doubts/queries in our mind, for which we keep on asking posts to our friends.

Hope this will be of help.

Federal Skilled Worker Program Changes

1.Who are federal skilled workers and why do we need them?
Federal skilled worker immigrants are selected based on their ability to become economically established in Canada. Canada needs federal skilled workers because they have the right mix of skills, education, and experience to meet the current and long term demands of the economy. They also have the transferable skills to adapt to a changing labour market.

2.Why are temporary foreign workers and international students no longer eligible to apply for permanent residence under the federal skilled worker program?
Temporary foreign workers and international students are still eligible to apply under the federal skilled worker category if they have an offer of arranged employment or experience in one of the 29 in-demand occupations.

However, we've removed the eligibility criterion that applied to temporary foreign workers and students specifically to avoid overlap with the now-established Canadian Experience Class and the Provincial Nominee Program, both of which target the same pool of applicants.

3.Why are you introducing a cap?
We are now receiving more federal skilled worker applications than we can process and accept each year. We have more than enough applications on hand now to fill many of our needs. A cap is the only guaranteed way to limit the number of applications we receive. Without the cap on applications, processing times will get longer and a new backlog could be created.

We will continue to admit the same number of federal skilled workers as in previous years, and in fact we believe that there will be higher economic admissions this year in support of the recovery and further reductions in the backlog.

4.Is the annual cap by calendar year, fiscal year or from the date the instructions are published?
The first year will begin on June 26, 2010 and end on June 30, 2011. Subsequent years will be calculated from July 1st to June 30th.

5.What is meant by a cap? Does that limit refer to the total number of applications received or the total number of applications processed, or the total number of applications that are successful?
The cap is a limit on the number of complete applications considered for processing. In this case, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will only consider a maximum of 20,000 complete applications under the occupation list. There is no limit to the number of applicants with a job offer. Within the 20,000 cap, a maximum of 1,000 federal skilled worker applications per occupation will be considered for processing each year.

6.Why are you imposing a limit per occupation?
We're introducing a limit of 1,000 applications per occupation to better manage the supply of applications on the occupation list. We have seen higher than expected numbers of applicants claiming experience in eligible occupations. The limit will allow us prevent an over-representation of any one occupation on the list.

7.What will happen with applications received after the cap is reached? How will applicants know their application isn't being processed?
These applicants will be informed, in writing, that their application will not continue for processing and that their processing fees will be returned.

8.How will applications subject to new instructions be processed as compared to applications subject to the first set of instructions and the backlog?
All applications subject to ministerial instructions (everything received since February 27, 2008) will be considered for processing in the order they are received.

All federal skilled worker applications received before February 27, 2008 fall into the backlog, and will be processed concurrently with the applications received since that date (and that are subject to instructions).

9.Why are you eliminating the simplified application?
Since we changed to the simplified application we've noticed a significantly higher number of applicants withdraw when asked for their supporting documents, or full application. By eliminating the simplified application and asking for all the documentation at once, we will make processing more efficient. Eliminating the simplified application shaves 120 days off the total processing time, because this is the time we allowed applicants to send in their supporting documents.

 

[mayankpandya]

High rate of unemployment among university-educated new immigrants in Canada

Canada, 7th October: New immigrants in Canada having university education are likely to get fewer jobs than Canadian-born people with same education level, a recent study indicates.

According to the latest annual report into quality of life in Canada titled-Canada Vital Signs 2010- states that immigrants with professional credentials and having lived in Canada for a period less than five years were having a 4.1 percent higher jobless rate than the non-immigrants in Canada.

Canadians with university education were found to be having 3.4 percent unemployment rate while the rate of joblessness among immigrants in the country was 13.9 percent, the report maintains.

Meanwhile, the overall rate of unemployment among new immigrants was 15 percent as compared to 7.8 percent among Canadian workers.

Canada’s dependency on immigration is increasing due to its reducing work force and the findings are of a great concern for the country, the Community Foundations of Canada, an umbrella organization supporting charities has maintained.

Reasons for these wide differences in the rate of employment among Canadians and immigrants in Canada could be due to delay or denial in recognition of foreign credentials, language problems and insufficient Canadian work experience for newcomers in Canada.

The report findings reveal nearly 36 percent of immigrants in Canada in the age group of 25-54 years are university educated.


And if recognition of foreign credentials of all immigrants in Canada is done, then this would result in addition of around $5 billion in the economy of Canada each year, the CBC (Conference Board of Canada) states.

The provinces of Quebec and Alberta were found to be having largest differences in the rates of joblessness in Canada between immigrants and Canadians. Canadians with university education were having a jobless rate of 2.9 percent in Alberta while immigrants with similar level of education had a jobless rate of 11.5 percent.


Quebec had around 20 percent of the university-educated newcomers without any job.


Out of the total Canadian population, almost 50 percent possess some sort of post-secondary education, the official data for the year 2009 which shows an increase of around 2.0 percentage points from the year 2006.

 

[CPAMATRIX]

WOW

hope that some evaluation board will soon be implemented
If they are sending for us immigrants
they need to show some respect to our qualifications

I think this report will assist in helping to implement change ASAP

 

[razz]

Hi frnds.

I have a query:-
1.Will the VO ( New Delhi) return our original documents( IELTS certificate & original Transcript of Degree) back after verification & processing the application.

2.As i calculate my points these are:-10+22+21+14=67 i.e. on margin
Age-10
Qualification:-22
Experience:-21
IELTS- L-7.5, R-6.5, W-6, S-6.5 i.e. 14
If the calculation done by CIO is different & they give me any point less, will thet ask me in AOR to meet the requiremenr of 67 points by doing IELTS again or just to deposit the documents & in later stage if i lack any point my application may be rejected.

As i have received AOR & they just demanded:-

*A copy of this letter with the reference number above
*Application for Permanent Residence in Canada [IMM 0008]
*Schedule 1: Background/Declaration [IMM 0008 SCHEDULE 1]
*Additional Family Information [IMM 5406]
*Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (if applicable)
*Schedule 3: Economic Classes [IMM 0008 SCHEDULE 3]
*You must submit all documents required by the visa office. Visa office-specific forms and a list of all supporting documents required by the visa office.
So i m confused about it.
Thanks & regards
Raj

 

[hondubai]

Dear friends,

The Fee payment form stated that:
"This form must accompany all applications for permanent residence under the federal skilled worker class. A separate payment form is required for each application"
we are family of 4 persons. Is that mean I have to send 4 payment forms?

Thank you in advance for your clarification.

 

[anil04_10]

Dear friends,
The Fee payment form stated that:
.....................we are family of 4 persons. Is that mean I have to send 4 payment forms?
Thank you in advance for your clarification.

Dear hondubai

Each application DO require separate payment form..... But I guess all your family members are going with you and are included in one single application........ i.e Principal Applicant's..... So that means there is only 1 application form and so one payment form only... All the best.

Cheers, Anil

 

[hondubai]

Thank you Anil for your interpretation

 

[kushu]

DEAR ALL,

PLS CLARIFY WHETHER THE EXP. IS CALCULATED/COUNTED TILL CHC STARTS PROCESSING (INPROCESS). OR TILL WHEN WE RECIEVED THE 1 ST AOR.

 

[anil04_10]

DEAR ALL,

PLS CLARIFY WHETHER THE EXP. IS CALCULATED/COUNTED TILL CHC STARTS PROCESSING (INPROCESS). OR TILL WHEN WE RECIEVED THE 1 ST AOR.

Dear Kushi

As far as I understand.... the entire thing depends on the processing officer ..... he may consider till the time of processing OR the date you have signed the application ...... logically it has to be till the time of processing / processed / points awarded ....... and not till AOR. If it is like 2/3 months to complete a specific duration (Not 1 year but more like 2/3/4) .... then they may consider the upper limit ...... it's my guess (it should happen like that )......

Cheers, Anil

 

[michaelantiola]

Guys please help me with this.
im about to request for a bank cert. I have just opened an account about 2 weeks ago. Can it affect when Il be asking for a bank cert knowing it is just a few week old ( account)??? Does ur acount have to be 6 months at least??? Btw im planning to get at least 2 bank certs from different bank. the money is from my aunt so basically i need to open a new account for the money to be transfered... pls thanks

plsssssssss help

 

[muqdad]

Hi every one
I have one question I have MBA with 5 years experiance and I have more than five years experiance in plumber befor MBA means from 2000-2005 I work plumber after that I compelet MBA.my question I apply under 1122 or 7251.
thanks

 

[CPAMATRIX]

With an MBA you definately would stand a better chance under 1122
Thats my situation, and thus far everything seems ok

However 1122 is the most subscribed NOC
you have to act fast,
definately reaching 1000 before end of year

Good Luck

 

[rupeshhari]

Hi every one
I have one question I have MBA with 5 years experiance and I have more than five years experiance in plumber befor MBA means from 2000-2005 I work plumber after that I compelet MBA.my question I apply under 1122 or 7251.
thanks

What job did you do after your MBA?

 

[bohfil]

hello to all.. i need your guidance please..
i am planning to send my application next week but as checking with all documents i noticed that the name of my son on his passport are quite wrong in spelling comparing to his birth certificate.what do i need to do with this??

and also the birthplace of the "father" of my mother and her sister who is residing in canada in their birth certificate are not the place, so i think theres a problem again there.

please need your help.thank you