madam-m said:
And I don't understand why people order GCMS every month?what is their benefit of it? first 12months,and maybe more they don't touch your file,and I guess people want to confirm that.
Unlike Vienna, other visa offices are processing applications much faster than the posted processing times. Rome, for example, is at 13 months processing times, but they process applications in less than 6 months. So those people order their notes sooner. Whoever orders notes every month is to find out changes in the application. Because, just like you said, visa offices do not answer people's emails (they give you a standard answer) - so if anyone wants to find out if they passed the medical, or if the visa office started the criminality check - they order the notes.
The GCMS notes tell you every movement of your file, where it is, which officer has worked on it and the most important thing, they tell you what the officer thinks about your application. Also, you can find out from the notes if the visa office is going to request any documents from you in the future, so you can prepare ahead of time.
But this is not the case with Vienna, we shouldn't request notes too often or too early, because in Vienna no one will touch your application earlier than 10 months or more.
Bottom line, everyone has their reasons for requesting the notes. I, for example, was sent back to the doctor to do further tests on my medical exam, because they saw a spot on my lungs. I ordered the notes to see if they received my additional tests (which they did, I passed my medical). They suspected TB, but I never had that, they are just too cautious with that.
If you don't want to order notes, is your choice, no one is making you do that. Everyone can decide for themselves. Some people feel better when they order the notes, they feel they get an update on their application, since the visa offices don't communicate with us and don't reply to our emails. Also, it is not recommended to email the visa office, unless they ask you to.