I was in similar situation. My app. has reached CIO in the end of January. After 6 weeks of waiting I didn't received AOR and my CC has not been charged. So I started worrying and sent an email to CIO‑Sydney‑Search‑Enquiry @ cic.gc.ca. I got an automatic email saying that they will reply to me within next 20 business days. On April, 1st I finaly got my AOR (took more than 2 months) and 5 days latter I got response from CIO that my case has been forwarded to Ottawa. Anyway I sugest to your friend not to wait and send email to Cydney.UK-CEC-Applicant said:Thanks for your prompt response, I am not worried anymore )
On a serious note, my friend who applied in Feb under CEC never received his AOR (almost 5 weeks delayed), his credit card not charged, the ecas does not identify his file. What would you do?
How to contact the Centralized Intake Office
If you applied to the CIO under the Canadian Experience Class and need information about your case, you may contact the Client Service Unit (CSU). Note that if your application has already been sent to the visa office for processing, the CIO will not be able to help you.
You will not get a reply to your email if:
you have not already applied under the Canadian Experience Class,
you are not authorized by the applicant to get their personal information,
you applied within the last six weeks, or
your question is about a topic other than your case.
Please do not send the same question more than once. You can reach the CSU at CIO-Sydney-Search-Enquiry @ cic.gc.ca.
Courier address
Centralized Intake Office
49 Dorchester Street
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 5Z2
Canada
Please clearly mark “Canadian Experience Class” on the outside of the envelope or in email subject line.