Guys,
I had my SLU updated on 23rd August with effective date as 27th October 2014. Refer to my timelines. This is around 2 weeks before PER date and almost the same date that my Credit card was debited and around the same time my file was sent from CIC to LVO. So what does SLU really mean?
Someone on this forum mentioned it is a system generated mass update. Well, this might be true! Question is Why was it sent? What possible purpose does this serve? And why inform us of this system generated message?
But more importantly, question is - Does this update really mean anything for us?
A few friends on the forum mentioned that despite their SLUs' getting updated between 21st Aug. and 26th August, some friends later received responses to their CSE, stating that their files are in queue pending processing. So why did they receive the SLU?
Just like all of you who had their SLU updated recently, I was also happy to see my SLU updated on 23rd Aug. However, today i received an email from RIH (Program Assistant), in response to one of my queries. While he/she answered my query and requested for more info, he/she also stated as follows: "Please note that your application is still in queue to be reviewed by the Immigration Officer. We are unable to advise when this review will take place, however, please rest assured that we will contact you as soon as we are ready to further process your application." So why did I receive the SLU?
It confirms my assumption that the SLU update and response to CSE are coming from two different sources!! Your application is like an orphan until assigned to a VO.
What does that mean?
My Theory - In my case, RIH is a program assistant who clarified himself as NOT an Immigration Officer (or a VO). Meaning that the information he is allowed to disclose (in reply to the CSE/emails) is limited to what the Immigration Office has authorised him/her to disclose. Basically what i am trying to say is while my SLU has been updated, an Immigration officer has not yet been assigned to me. My application is in a pool of applications, just like yours, that have been sent SLU and they are being distributed amount Visa officers between now and say next 30 days depending on volumes and distribution criteria. That explains why I received the above message from RIH (program assistant) which contradicts the SLU. If my theory is correct, I expect to receive response within the next 45 days. This response could be any of the following:
1) Request for more information such as updated schedule A, PCC, Pics, etc.
2) Request for Medical, RPRF etc,
3) Request for interview appearance scheduled during October,
4) Any unexpected response or no response in 5-10% of cases (because our cases are too complicated),
Another important point to remember here is that the more complex our applications, the more time it will require for background checks and therefore more time a VO will take to respond. The complexities may include;
1) Too many changes in jobs,
2) Small / unknown employers (sorry guys but this is a fact),
3) Too much travel / stay history (6 months or more)
4) Delays due to specific country profiles
5) Age (It is noticed that CIC / VOs have been instructed to defer / delay processing of applications where principle applicant is over 40-45 years of age (I am one)
6) It is also observed that certain NOCs are being given preference over others (Canada has an evolving job landscape where certain NOCs are more in demand and therefore silent preference is given to those categories.
7) Any complex combination of facts can push your application on the back burner for years! (a small % though)
To summarise, I expect that 80% of all applicants who receive SLU to get their visa stamped within 18 months of SLU date. I am talking about London Visa Office only.
By the same logic, there will be a very small %'age of forum members who recently got SLU updated AND also received their MR in the next 8-10 days. You are the lucky ones whose newly assigned VOs have kickstarted file processing. Some of these applicants may have also received a CSE response (stating that your application is still in queue to be reviewed by the immigration officer). Not to worry! Bottom line, a Program Assistant will always send you a generic response, time and again, and is unaware of the background checks being done by a potential Immigration (Visa) Officer. Once a VO is assigned, the PA is out of the picture.
Rest assured, If you have reached this far, it is only a matter of time that you will get visa stamped on your passport. But I can understand the agony of waiting especially when there is silence from LVO. May God help us all in achieving our true desires.
I love the place and at each step as we are growing I look back and see how we had to sometimes struggle for small things... There are so many things here that even the settlement agencies won't tell you.. Like the rental assistance program, Canada benefit finder and so much more.. so as a class project (I am studying to be a corporate trainer/instructor here), I created an interactive infographic where I have put most of the programs that the government has to offer and a lot of other information. it is: dr garima kamboj dot wix dot com slash immigrant 
