Status on CAS keeps changing

[sckel]

I applied to immigrate under the Entreprenuer program from Trinidad & tobago 3 1/4 years ago.  After my application went in, my status on CAS always said "in process". In January, there was nothing under the heading application status.  I wrote to CIC and then I noticed it started saying "application received".  Now when I check it its saying it cannot provide any information on my account.  Does anyone know if the service is giving trouble or is this specific to my case.  Also, is there anyone out there who has applied under the entrepreneur program from Trinidad who can give me some idea of how the timelines go?

[PMM]

Hi

I applied to immigrate under the Entreprenuer program from Trinidad & tobago 3 1/4 years ago.  After my application went in, my status on CAS always said "in process". In January, there was nothing under the heading application status.  I wrote to CIC and then I noticed it started saying "application received".  Now when I check it its saying it cannot provide any information on my account.  Does anyone know if the service is giving trouble or is this specific to my case.  Also, is there anyone out there who has applied under the entrepreneur program from Trinidad who can give me some idea of how the timelines go?

You can pretty  well ignore ecas right now, as the offices are in the process of moving the information from CAIPS to GCMS and so ecas is giving some weird results.  When your file is moved to GCMS you should probably get a new file no. starting with E

[sckel]

Thanks for the info. PMM

Still looking for anyone who my have an idea of how the timelines work from Trinidad.  Our initial letter from CIC indicated that it will take 36 - 48 months before they begin to process the application.  The CIC website does not show any processing times for this type of application from Trinidad & Tobago.

[PMM]

Hi

Thanks for the info. PMM

Still looking for anyone who my have an idea of how the timelines work from Trinidad.  Our initial letter from CIC indicated that it will take 36 - 48 months before they begin to process the application.  The CIC website does not show any processing times for this type of application from Trinidad & Tobago.

POS has had only 1 investor application and 5 entrepreneur applicants, the Immigration Data Set www.data.gc.ca shows the processing time from POS as the following

Applications Processed Abroad               Applications Processed Abroad                  
- Port of Spain -               - Port of Spain -                  
Immigration Categories   Last 12 Months            Immigration Categories   Last 12 Months               
   Cases Passed   Cases Refused   Approval Rate   Total # of Visas Issued      X % of cases were completed within X months or less               Total # of Cases
                  20 %   30 %   50 %   70 %   80%   
All Permanent Residents   1,164   674   63%   1,892   All Permanent Residents   7   9   14   32   37   1,838

Business   4   12   25%   22   Business   26   36   38   49   52   16
Entrepreneurs   1   4   20%   4   Entrepreneurs   -   -   -   -   -   5
Self Employed   -   1   0%   -   Self Employed   -   -   -   -   -   1
Investors   3   7   30%   18   Investors   7   25   36   38   39   10
Provincial Nominees   19   3   86%   42   Provincial Nominees   5   6   9   15   17   22
Live-in Caregiver Program (LC2s)   8   -   100%   8   Live-in Caregiver Program (LC2s)   -   -   -   -   -   8

52 months for 80% of the business applications.

[sckel]

Thanks PMM.  You have been a great help.
The refusal rate for the entrepreneur class is alarmingly high. Could this be an indication of Canada's immigration policy towards entrepreneur immigrants or just unqualified applicants.  I always got the impression that once you met the qualifications (net worth, business experience, medical, criminal check etc) that you were almost certain to be approved.

[sckel]

Many websites say that you do not need a business plan when applying under the Federal Entrepreneur progam, yet I see quite a few posts discussing their detailed business plan.  Can anyone confirm if a business plan is needed?

[Baloo]

Many websites say that you do not need a business plan when applying under the Federal Entrepreneur progam, yet I see quite a few posts discussing their detailed business plan.  Can anyone confirm if a business plan is needed?

Step back... ask yourself, is it really a good idea to be starting a business without a business plan?

[sckel]

You may have misunderstood the question.... Not if it is a good idea to have a business plan, but if one is required for my PR visa application under the entrepreneur program.
I have successfully established and run a business for the past 15yrs so I completely agree with you that it is a good idea to have a business plan.

[Baloo]

You may have misunderstood the question.... Not if it is a good idea to have a business plan, but if one is required for my PR visa application under the entrepreneur program.
I have successfully established and run a business for the past 15yrs so I completely agree with you that it is a good idea to have a business plan.

Read OP 8 Entrepreneur and Self-Employed. section 5.12 / 11.17


5.12 -Requesting and reviewing documentation—general (A16)

Officers may request documentation to support the applicant's application. The officer should examine the documentation with the following elements in mind:
•   the documentation requested should primarily provide evidence about the applicant's financial position and previous entrepreneurial background;
•   the officer should actively discourage the submission of a formal business plan. There is no basis in law to require an entrepreneur to undertake a specific business activity or to locate in a specific area.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op08-eng.pdf

[sckel]

Thanks Baloo....  thats just the feedback that I was looking for.