We did not order notes. I think it's taking them a long time because I spent many years in Canada undocumented, as a minor, while my parents tried to apply for H&C. After reading your posts, I e-mailed them just in case, even though I don't like to bother them. It's been almost a week and they didn't reply. Where as in the past, I sent them two e-mails and always got a reply a day after. I've had my background check in process for a very long time, I wonder why. I'm just 21 years old. I had a few short trips to European countries and that's it. It doesn't seem like people are getting DMs from other visa offices too. I was really hoping I could be with my wife for Christmas. We've been living far away for almost 2 years and we have seen each other 5 times during this period - in my country and some other places, but we are just hoping to get this over with as fast as possible, so that everything can go back to the way it was before - us two in Canada, with no time limits. Oh well, we just have to wait and see what happens. I guess ordering notes could be a good thing to do.