CAIPS/GCMS Notes - How to prove presence in Canada?

[Elizabeth Joe]

I'm thinking of ordering GCMS notes (just out of curiosity) and I'm wondering how to prove that I'm currently in Canada? I have a visitor status and only an entry stamp in my passport, is that enough? I can't think of anything else and I don't find any information about what is required on the CIC website.
Thanks for any help!

[ddobro2]

If you can believe it or not, I actually ordered GCMS 4 times without every having any proof beyond the fact that my name was accompanied by a Canadian address on the very envelope in which I enclosed my request (as well as on the request itself) and the letter was sent from Canada according to the post office markings. I`m not saying you should do the same or anything but just sharing my experience. I believe you can use the entry stamp or a utility bill or lease copy that shows your name and address in Canada. Or a copy of any other envelope addressed to you in Canada, really.

I'm thinking of ordering GCMS notes (just out of curiosity) and I'm wondering how to prove that I'm currently in Canada? I have a visitor status and only an entry stamp in my passport, is that enough? I can't think of anything else and I don't find any information about what is required on the CIC website.
Thanks for any help!

[Elizabeth Joe]

I was planning on using my parents in-law's address, since my husband and I don't have a fixed address and we will be only living at our current place until some time in march and don't even have a mailing address, he does seasonal work and we used his parents address as mailing address for the whole process. So that might be confusing if I include a rental lease in Ontario as proof and use an address in Saskatchewan as a mailing address. Maybe I'll just try the passport stamp and see what happens.
Or I'll use his parents address and attach a note explaining why and that we are currently living in Ontario.
Thanks for your help.

[AllisonVSC]

I was planning on using my parents in-law's address, since my husband and I don't have a fixed address and we will be only living at our current place until some time in march and don't even have a mailing address, he does seasonal work and we used his parents address as mailing address for the whole process. So that might be confusing if I include a rental lease in Ontario as proof and use an address in Saskatchewan as a mailing address. Maybe I'll just try the passport stamp and see what happens.
Or I'll use his parents address and attach a note explaining why and that we are currently living in Ontario.
Thanks for your help.

Did the sponsorship approval letter go to the in-law's? IF yes, then send that as proof. You or he can request the notes. If you use the sponsorship letter then just put the request in his name.

[Elizabeth Joe]

we got sponsorship approval by email. I know he could request it, but then we would need to pay the $5. I am just gonna attach a copy of our rental agreement and write on the back that we are only living there temporarily and our main mailing address is still the on of my in-laws. I'm gonna request the notes in form of email anyway, so they don't need to mail anything. Hopefully this is not too confusing.

[AllisonVSC]

Why would he have to pay? I thought you were both in Canada.

[Elizabeth Joe]

but isn't the file about me (the principal applicant)?  So if he requests the notes, I have to sign the release form and we have to pay $5.

[waitin_vain]

You do not need to pay the $5 because your are living inside Canada. The required $5 is for applicants who are living outside Canada.




waitin_vain

[Elizabeth Joe]

You do not need to pay the $5 because your are living inside Canada. The required $5 is for applicants who are living outside Canada.




waitin_vain

I know, that's why I have to prove that I'm in Canada.

[ddobro2]

Indeed. It makes no difference where the sponsor lives as the sponsor is a Canadian PR or citizen. The applicant, given that he or she is applying for PR, is obviously not a Canadian PR or applicant but may or may not be physically present in Canada. Since the information pertains to the applicant, it is a choice of 1) not needing to pay anything or have anyone else order it for you with you signing consent because you are physically in Canada, or 2) having to get someone in Canada or a Canadian PR or citizen to order it for you for $5 (or a lot more, if you order from one of those companies), thus giving that person your signed consent.

but isn't the file about me (the principal applicant)?  So if he requests the notes, I have to sign the release form and we have to pay $5.

[Elizabeth Joe]

I'm a bit confused now
there is two ways of applying:

under the Access to Information Act, you have to pay $5
or
under the Privacy Act You may make a request under the Privacy Act for your personal information held by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. so if the principal applicant can't request it (not in Canada) you have to pay the fee.

So even if I'm in Canada, if my husband requests it we have to pay $5. So I'm gonna request it and send proof that I'm in Canada.

[Quince777]

I'm a bit confused now
there is two ways of applying:

under the Access to Information Act, you have to pay $5
or
under the Privacy Act You may make a request under the Privacy Act for your personal information held by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. so if the principal applicant can't request it (not in Canada) you have to pay the fee.

So even if I'm in Canada, if my husband requests it we have to pay $5. So I'm gonna request it and send proof that I'm in Canada.

You request it yourself, no need for your husband to do it. You should request it under 'Privacy act' since you're in Canada.

[ddobro2]

The Privacy Act versus Access to Info Act difference pertains to who is ordering - one cannot order under the Privacy Act information about another person; one must instead show that the person who the info is about gives you permission and make the request under the Access to Info Act. For whatever reason or reasons, you have to pay $5 for the request under the Access to Info Act but owe nothing with the Privacy Act.

Just send proof you would show to get a library card in Canada. I'm sure it will be fine.

I'm a bit confused now
there is two ways of applying:

under the Access to Information Act, you have to pay $5
or
under the Privacy Act You may make a request under the Privacy Act for your personal information held by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. so if the principal applicant can't request it (not in Canada) you have to pay the fee.

So even if I'm in Canada, if my husband requests it we have to pay $5. So I'm gonna request it and send proof that I'm in Canada.

[Elizabeth Joe]

Thanks for all the replies.
I just went to the post office and mailed it. I did include my rental agreement and hope that the different addresses are not too confusing. I explained my situation.

the idea with the library card is good, I have one and didn't even think about that.
edit: now I get what you meant with the library card. I didn't show any proof when I got it, but got a guest card for $8