CAIPS notes - How long did it take and was it worthwhile?

[ddobro2]

Hey everyone. I would love it if you could reply by sharing 1) how long it took you to receive your CAIPS notes from the time you ordered them (if you've ordered them several times, maybe you could note that too and give the range) and 2) whether it was worth it to have them. Now, I wouldn't even have asked the second question because I have seen people call CAIPS "precious" and the like in threads but I have recently also seen very senior and experienced people on this forum poo-pooing their worth, which as you can imagine made me really wonder.

So please share, if you can. Thanks everyone. This would be very helpful for me and I bet for many others out there. Looking forward to reading your responses and best of luck to everyone currently "in the process."

[canadianwoman]

It seemed to take about a month. It was worthwhile for my case. If the applicant has not been interviewed yet, then the CAIPS notes might not include much. However, there should be some indication of at least why they want to interview - maybe just a notation such as the pre-interview note on my husband's file: "Cannot establish relationship based on docs submitted. Will need interview." Of course, most interviews are because the visa officer is not sure the relationship is genuine.

After the interview, though, CAIPS notes are valuable if you are rejected and are going to appeal, because you can see the 'transcript' of the interview and the reasons the visa officer gave for rejecting the application.

[bloomfield]

ddobro2:
 You just stole the thread I was thinking about posting.
Yes, CAIPS could have been very helpful for my case if I have ordered them earlier than I did. This is a parents sponsorship case. My parents file went to Singapore in Sept,2008 and knowing their timeline, I waited around 33 months to order CAIPS and it took 4 weeks to get. We were contacted by S'pore within that 4 weeks to submit my parents marriage certificate and other document. We have sent those and got medical request the following week.
Now after receiving the CAIPS, I see on August,2009, they wrote about those missing documents as it was needed as proof of relationship between my parent and myself. But we were not contacted then. And those were the only documents needed to request medical. It says:
" RLSP verified: Missing docs:..............."

Now if I would have ordered earlier, I could have sent those documents before and probably things would have been processed faster.

One might argue that they would not do anything before the time line anyways. But I saw 1 member in this forum (Vonster) got her parents application processed (PP request) within a year from the date it went to Singapore.

Therefore it is possible that you file might get processed way faster than the posted timeline if everything is in order. Or you can order CAIPS to find out if there is anything missing.

Suggestions to all: If you think you want to order CAIPS, do it NOW; do not wait like I did; do not wonder the way I did. It only costs $5.00. and very simple form to fill out compare to the bible we need write to file our application.

[Aneyshar]

But i read elsewhere on this forum (can't remember the specific thread) that  applying for CAIPS notes impacts negatively on the application processing times, something about having to extricate the file, etc. etc.  how much of that is truth?

If i filed my app just recently (July 12) when would it be reasonable for me to apply for CAIPS if  any?

thanks for  the  input.

[bloomfield]

I do not think it slows the process or have any negative impact on your file. It 's a print out from Ottawa office not your local visa office. Experts in this forum can tell you more about this.
 For your case, it's only 2 weeks. probably give it more time.

[medellinguy]

2 weeks...you won't see anything interesting..wait a couple months, depending on your visa office..

[canadianwoman]

It is too soon. Nothing will be on the file yet. Wait until they have already been processing it for a while. For spousal and partner applications, you want to try to get the CAIPS notes just before an interview. It's difficult to time it perfectly, of course, since you don't know when the interview will be until just a few weeks ahead of time.

The CAIPS notes come right off a computer, so should not negatively impact the processing time. Making frequent inquiries can have a negative impact, because they have to check the file each time. As well, ordering your complete file can delay processing, I've heard, because they have to photocopy everything. So when you order the CAIPS notes, don't order the complete file.

[Aneyshar]

Nice, thanks. Well, i'm not eager to order CAIPS any soon, i'm aware that nothing is logged in my file yet. I'd probably consider it a few weeks after sponsorship is approved though.

Do you really have to pay the $5 processing fee? I heard that you can order them under the Privacy Act and no fee applies then, anyone can confirm?

[Baloo]

Tips / hints

CAIPS/GCMS/FOSS notes are screen prints of each specific electronic system.
Don't order CAIPS/GCMS notes too early, there will be no real information.
FOSS notes are useful if you want to look at what the border agents think of you
Don't order a copy of your whole file, that will slow your processing.
Ordering the CD copy is usually OK, but I know two people who could not read the CD on their computers when they received it.
Always order CAIPS/GCMS notes for an interview.
Order GCMS / CAIPS notes if your application appears to be slower than the current normal processing times for your office.
Don't forget the fee (if you have to pay it), it can be paid by credit card.
If you are in Canada you do not have to pay the fee.
If you are using a representative, don't forget to include the form for that.
CAIPS/GCMS notes can be emailed, but if the file is bigger that 25 pages, they usually mail the notes.
Missing out the file number does not slow the process, they state that "it may slow the process".
The times do vary based on workload, there are not thousands of staff in the Ottawa office.
If you are dropping the request off in person at the office in Ottawa, note that the mail delivery location (the mail room) is across the street.
Notes can be redacted, less so if you are ordering notes for yourself.

Are they worth it, if you need them, yes.

[bloomfield]

I have received my CAIPS by email. I requested to get my email due to postal strike back then. Here are few names in Ottawa  Alina was very quick to reply all emails that I sent.

Alina Haramita
NHQ - Corporate Affairs | AC - Affaires corporatives
Citizenship and Immigration Canada | Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada
360 Laurier Avenue West Ottawa ON K1A 1L1 | 360 avenue Laurier Ouest Ottawa ON K1A 1L1
Alina.Haramita @ cic.gc.ca
Telephone | Téléphone 613-946-5223
Facsimile | Télécopieur 613-957-6517


Elizabeth Craig
(613) 957-2699 
email : elizabeth.craig @ cic.gc.ca
 fax at 613-957-6517.

monique.guindon @ cic.gc.ca