Hi guys,
I've been meaning to do this for a LONG time, but just never been able to get around to it, days not having enough hours n such! After we received our approval, we ordered our gcms notes to see what a completed file looked like. We figured it might help others know what to look for when their file is nearing completion. We'd ordered these notes about 4 times during the process, so had an idea of how they looked ongoing.
Fields that appeared to have been updated first were the ones showing the transfer of the physical paper file to POS and the record of the medicals. All sponsor information was completed early on as well. It appeared that for the most part, when a “due date” (previously “brought forward date” in CAIPS) was entered, some action was taken on the file prior to this new date, even if just to say “still awaiting xx”. Security/criminality is always updated last, as the details of this are kept very secret by CIC. Applicant's security was updated to “passed” literally a few days before the COPR was sent. A new category called “Final” appeared right before the COPR was sent as well, with the value “approved”. This seems to be the very last stage of it all.
The VO also made some pretty detailed notes on our application. I'm including them below to show what we submitted, and also so you can see the things they take note of. I know we often wonder whether they look at all these docs, whether it's worth taking the time to send in all these details – the answer is a very resounding YES it is. We included details of simple dates, locations, etc. purely out of abundance of caution, thinking that they'd just glance over these things. The notes below show that they clearly took note of them, so please, PLEASE do not skimp on details in your application. You want to give them the clearest, most comprehensive picture of your relationship possible. Don't leave any room for them to have doubts or question missing details. Ok, here are the actual notes copied from our gcms file:
“First marriage and no children for both applicant and sponsor. Applicant stated that he met sponsor for the first time on [date] at [location] in [state, country] – they were introduced to each other by his best friend and sponsor's close friend [friend's name]. Applicant stated they did not speak to each other when they met, but sponsor emailed afterwards. They communicated via face-book, instant messaging, phone calls at least three times per day. Visited [list of all cities we visited together] and sponsor visited him at home several times during their relationship. They visited friends, went to dinners, parties, ice skating and spent from weekends to 5 days together. Relatives and friends knew of their relationship and they met each other's relatives and friends. Applicant stated that he proposed to sponsor at [location] on [date] – they had a celebratory dinner between themselves at [restaurant name and location]. Applicant stated that they were married at [location, city] on [date] with 40 of their closest friends and family in attendance, which included sponsor's parents, applicant's mother, his brother, and other relatives and friends. A reception and honeymoon followed at [location].
Docs/info submitted in support of relationship: lots of communication via Facebook, wedding invitation, wedding venue/info/directions, congratulations from friends and family via email, letter from the pastor who officiated at the wedding, email of apology/speech from applicant's father for not being able to attend his wedding, list of wedding attendees, email of thanks from applicant and sponsor to guests who attended their wedding, copy of wedding guest book, wedding invitation, etc., copies of cards, itineraries, receipts, etc. for sponsor's visits to applicant's home, originals and copies of photographs – wedding and others.
Applicant stated that the met sponsor for the first time in [date, year], they were engaged in [date] and married in [date]. He submitted documents/information to support a relationship that went from friendship to marriage between himself and sponsor and evidence of ongoing communication. From correspondence on file, it is a relationship cheered on by relatives and friends. From the docs/info reviewed, the relationship between application and sponsor appears genuine and ongoing.”
I should note that we also included a printout of our wedding website – it's not specifically mentioned in the notes, but alluded to as part of the supporting documents. These file notes were entered in June, about 3 months after our file was received in POS. Then, it was reviewed by what appeared to be a senior VO about 4 weeks later. This person stated “I have reviewed the application, submissions and PPS notes. Relationship is bonafide and interview waived”. We received our PPR about 1 week after this note was entered.
Hope this rather long post is of use to those of you still waiting and to those who haven't begun yet.
Good luck n blessings to all![/list]
