Hi everyone,
Just an update: I've received GCMS notes for my application, and even though I've read a lot about CIC procedures, I've found some of the notes fairly interesting and even surprising
CIC actually does verify the diplomas and work history via independent channels, such as your country official databases / government portals. So make sure the information you submit is consistent and true!
According to the notes, they've also sent a message to my company's CEO (his email and signature were on one of my work contracts). He rarely responds to emails, unless it's really important, so I wonder if he has noticed that email at all - he has never told me about it
Also, I've sent them a question once via the "Case specific enquiry" form - and this fact is also noted in the database
- though, without the actual question text.
Another interesting fact: GCMS notes request was sent on
Sep 8 and the response was received on Oct 9, with notes generated on
Sep 10 - it looks as if they just keep the notes for a month before sending them back (maybe to limit the amount of requests or abuse?).
Here is the full timeline. Not sure if the order is similar for other offices (mine is Kyiv), but I hope it can still help:
May 6: Application received at CIO.
Jun 2: First record for my application in the CIC database.
Jun 3: Fee encashed according to CIO.
Jun 6: Fee encashed according to the bank who has issued the draft.
Jul 14: PER.
Jul 29: Application sent to local VO.
Aug 6: Application received at local VO.
Sep 1: Criminality check passed.
Sep 3: Document verification completed.
Sep 3: Medicals request.
Sep 4: Medicals done.
Sep 7: Medicals passed.
Sep 10: "Medicals received" line has appeared in ECAS.
Security checks have not been started as of Sep 10 - they fit somewhere below.
Sep 19: "We started processing your application" line has appeared in ECAS.
Sep 23: RPRF request.
Sep 23: RPRF sent & received electronically.
Sep 23, a few hours later: Passport request.
Sep 23: Passport sent.
Sep 24: Passport received.
Sep 26: Visa issued.
Sep 28: "Decision made" status has appeared in ECAS.
Sep 29: Passport sent back.
Oct 2: Passport with the visa received.
Update: It looks like I've misread the date of the first record in the database. Apparently, it's 2nd of June, one day before the fee has been charged. I've fixed the date in the list above.
