POST OF THE WEEK
GLOBAL CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Good day my friends,
I would like to do a new post about GCMS notes since I have been commending to some of you to request them for a better understanding of your files.
WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANCE OF GCMS NOTES?
GCMS Notes will provide information like:
•The date your application was received
•Whether your processing has started
•Date your processing was started or is likely to be
•Initial assessment of your file for the first time.
•How important factors like your proofs of genuine relationship were assessed.
•Concerns/ reservations that the officer may have regarding above.
•Verifications made or likely to be made on your supporting documents
•If your interview is likely to be scheduled.
•Possible issues to be addressed (and thus expected questions);
•Likely next processing steps.
Since 2011/2012, Immigration offices are using a more integrated version of such database called ‘Global Case Management System’ (GCMS).
The information you get from GCMS is not the same information as that available on “e-client” but a very detailed record of your file. Apart from information submitted in the Application Forms, the records contain comments or notes made by the Immigration officer on the file. This information is valuable as it provides
an insight into how a particular application is being viewed by the immigration department, and the issues that they consider important in decision-making. This helps the applicant on ways to make a more favourable presentation and address a possible difficulty in the Application, before a decision is made since these are the Notes from the Immigration file. NB: The request of GCMS doesn’t influence the processing of an ongoing
application in any manner.
Workflow Management
The GCMS manages the 'workflow' in most visa officers through the 'bring forward' system. Each GCMS file is allocated with three pieces of key information :
•a code to indicate the current location of the file
•a code to indicate what will happen next to the file
•a code to indicate when this action is scheduled to happen
Visa officers log into GCMS on a daily basis like you do in your email address or your computer and GCMS provides a list of tasks that need to be completed.
What is GCMS?
GCMS is short form for 'General Case management Systems', which is the name of the computer system used by Citizenship & Immigration Canada to process applications in overseas offices and inside Canada, such as permanent resident, work permit, study visas, Citizenship...
When an immigration application arrives at the visa office, the immigration officers create a GCMS file. It is the GCMS file number that is printed on an Acknowledgement of Receipt ('AOR'). The GCMS file number is normally the letter "B" followed by 9 digits, e.g. "B 123 456 789", although for a study permit, it will begin with an 'S' and for a visitor visa application it will begin with a 'V'.
Checking Your Application Status
If you feel that there has been an unusually long time since you last heard from the visa office, you might want to get your GCMS file to understand what the current status of your application is.
Sometimes delays are caused by heavy backlog at the visa office and, although frustrating, checking your GCMS file at least provides reassurance that the application is on track, however slow the processing.
I hope this post will help you make decision to order your GCMS.
Good Luck
