GCMS Notes
GCMS Notes can be obtained to receive more detailed information regarding your application status and progress from IRCC
GCMS notes are one of the few methods by which applicants can apply for, to get the most granular updates available on their application; including the immigration office and officer processing their application, and application status and reason for status.
Table of Contents
Overview
A Global Case Management System (GCMS) Note, is an information file that can be requested by applicants for temporary residence (visitor visas, study permits, work permits) or permanent residence (Express Entry, Provincial Nomination Program, Family Sponsorship etc.) from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), available under the Access to Information Act (ATI).
The GCMS is IRCC’s global internal system for managing and evaluating applications. It is also used by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Applicants can request a note from their file on the GCMS, to get updates on their application.
Applicants can request a GCMS note, as soon as their application has surpassed the R10 completeness check, which is the amount of time the processing office takes to assess whether all necessary documents are included in your application (note this is just a completeness check and does not indicate the application has been assessed yet). This time varies depending on the processing standard for each application.
What information is on the GCMS note?
On the GCMS note, applicants can see an expansive amount of information, encompassing everything they have submitted, and that IRCC has gathered in relation to the application. This includes:
- Information on their application (including when the application was received, when it was opened, the code of the immigration officer who is assigned to the application, application status, and reason for status, etc.);
- Any information IRCC has gathered about the applicant; and
- Any information submitted by a third-party representative to IRCC.
Who can apply for a GCMS note?
Anyone who has an application with IRCC and CBSA, and whose application has passed the R-10 completeness stage can potentially apply for a GCMS.
However, to obtain a GCMS note one must first submit and Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request, under the ATI. To submit an ATIP one must be:
- Either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; or
- An individual residing within Canada.
Applicants outside of Canada can still apply for GCMS notes through use of a representative who is either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or corporation in Canada. This representative will then apply on the applicant’s behalf for an ATIP and will have to complete the Consent for an Access to Information and Personal Information Request form.
How to obtain a GCMS note?
As mentioned, the first step to obtaining a GCMS note is to file an ATIP with IRCC. This can be applied for online or by mail.
To apply applicants will need their application number and are encouraged to input their Unique Client Identifier (UCI) for faster processing.
There is also a processing fee of $5 CAD which can be paid online.
Under the Access to Information Act, all ATIP requests to IRCC must be responded to within 30 days. However, this time limit can be extended for specific reasons like if the request requires many files to be lifted, or if the demands of the specific request do not allow reasonable processing within the allotted 30 days. If this occurs IRCC will reach out to the ATIP requester to provide an update.
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