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LONDON Visa Office Applicants....Lets connect here

BillHyatt

Champion Member
Apr 13, 2017
1,737
2,036
Toronto
Thanks all for sharing info related to replies from London Visa Office. After your valuable input and research on their system, I have come to the following conclusion.

- The 3 Letter abbreviation is a code name of a person who replies and it is generated through their internal system. It changes over time as staff changes and applicants can receive replies from various staff members.
- However, the real thing that needs to be looked is the department from which you receive email.
- If you receive a reply from Immigration and Medical Services Division (IMSD) then your file is probably in a batch that is still not opened or your enquiry is of a nature that requires being dealt in Division 1.
- The Division 2 in Canada House is Client Service Unit (CSU) and they are responsible to deal with general client enquiries and reply with the status they see in their system.
- Division 3 is the Migration Unit (MU) and it where your file is opened and then reply is given from Program Assistants and not the analyst themselves. Background Checks and any other information related to your file is handled here. So, you will probably receive an email from Program Assistant unless it can be dealt by IMSD or CSU.
- Division 4 is Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and I haven't seen any reply from them so far. However, they are responsible for the investigation of Misrepresentation and Frauds.
- Division 5 is the Office for Senior Officers/Directors and here your file is concluded. The replies are mainly provided through MU or IRCC Divisions for Immigrations.

There are other units as well, however, I am unaware of their purposes at the moment.

Finally, another way to see at what stage is your file is to see 5 Levels of File Review:

Level 1: In process or waiting for review
Level 2: Under Review or is in process
Level 3: Awaiting a Final Review
Level 4: Background Check in undergoing
Level 5: File is Approved

I hope this will help. Good Luck to you all.
 

Xaiby

Hero Member
Sep 14, 2017
375
114
Thanks all for sharing info related to replies from London Visa Office. After your valuable input and research on their system, I have come to the following conclusion.

- The 3 Letter abbreviation is a code name of a person who replies and it is generated through their internal system. It changes over time as staff changes and applicants can receive replies from various staff members.
- However, the real thing that needs to be looked is the department from which you receive email.
- If you receive a reply from Immigration and Medical Services Division (IMSD) then your file is probably in a batch that is still not opened or your enquiry is of a nature that requires being dealt in Division 1.
- The Division 2 in Canada House is Client Service Unit (CSU) and they are responsible to deal with general client enquiries and reply with the status they see in their system.
- Division 3 is the Migration Unit (MU) and it where your file is opened and then reply is given from Program Assistants and not the analyst themselves. Background Checks and any other information related to your file is handled here. So, you will probably receive an email from Program Assistant unless it can be dealt by IMSD or CSU.
- Division 4 is Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and I haven't seen any reply from them so far. However, they are responsible for the investigation of Misrepresentation and Frauds.
- Division 5 is the Office for Senior Officers/Directors and here your file is concluded. The replies are mainly provided through MU or IRCC Divisions for Immigrations.

There are other units as well, however, I am unaware of their purposes at the moment.

Finally, another way to see at what stage is your file is to see 5 Levels of File Review:

Level 1: In process or waiting for review
Level 2: Under Review or is in process
Level 3: Awaiting a Final Review
Level 4: Background Check in undergoing
Level 5: File is Approved

I hope this will help. Good Luck to you all.
@BillHyatt,
I have been receiving replies from DRD(Program Assistant) that application is currently undergoing background verification checks. My AOR date is August 04 and IP2 since November 8. I received Scheduled A request on November 29 and my review of additional documents section changed to not applicable on February 27, 2018. Does this mean that file my file is at level 4 and I should expect PPR soon?
TIA
 
Last edited:

sfaizi

Star Member
Apr 20, 2015
93
3
I would like to request you guys to report the department from where you are getting replies from London Visa Office. There is a code word used for each department such as:
- EXP (Immigration and Medical Services Division)
- VCM (Program Assistant)
etc.

I found an interesting pattern of files moving through departments and need to confirm this through the larger sample of files. So, kindly update here with Department and Status of your file.

Thanks in advance.
All my correspondence has been sent with EXP signature.
 

sfaizi

Star Member
Apr 20, 2015
93
3
I am doing a little bit of research and found files are moving to certain departments. However, this is just an initial review and may not be accurate.

When the file is not opened most of the applicants receive a message from Immigration and Medical Services Division (or mostly from EXP) and this is the case for most of the Change in Information cases as well.

When a file is opened and is with analyst the replies will start to come from Program Assistants (or mostly VCM) and this is the case for most of the additional documents cases as well.

When a file is undergoing background or security checks by LVO the reply starts to come from Program Assistants (or mostly DRD) and this is the case for Data Release Cases as well.

For other departments, I need more research and Finally, I can't find exact names of the abbreviations used by the Visa Office.

These are initial understanding and I am trying to come with things that are more accurate.
Hi Bill,

My file has always received correspondence from EXP

From initial application submission phases to any ADR and BGC status email inquiries.
 

mcassim87

Hero Member
Jul 1, 2017
601
234
I would like to request you guys to report the department from where you are getting replies from London Visa Office. There is a code word used for each department such as:
- EXP (Immigration and Medical Services Division)
- VCM (Program Assistant)
etc.

I found an interesting pattern of files moving through departments and need to confirm this through the larger sample of files. So, kindly update here with Department and Status of your file.

Thanks in advance.
Yours sincerely,


EXP

Immigration and Medical Services Division

High Commission of Canada
 

dannio

Star Member
Dec 1, 2016
82
16
I have ready almost the entire thread of discussion and I am even more confused
is everybody's application sent to London or what?
If not,how else can I know where it was sent to without having to send them a mail
I kind of feel reluctant to begin communication with them since my AOR is 19/12
Thank you for your reply
Where your application is sent to is at the discretion of the Analyst in line with your nationality and your current location where you are residing because the Visa Offices have like what l would call catchment area and also not forgeting work load redistribution.For example you are a Nigerian residing in Nigeria your application can be sent to London (which has been the trend so far) or worst case Accra Visa Office.(Note all these are my thoughts)

If you are feeling reluctant to begin communication with them have patience wait and just observe then later begin communication or order for GCMS notes.
 

sais2008

Member
Jul 17, 2016
19
1
Hi Bill,

My file has always received correspondence from EXP

From initial application submission phases to any ADR and BGC status email inquiries.
Yes even I have been getting msgs from EXP since the beginning .What is your current stage can you share the latest msg from EXP?
 

sais2008

Member
Jul 17, 2016
19
1
Thanks all for sharing info related to replies from London Visa Office. After your valuable input and research on their system, I have come to the following conclusion.

- The 3 Letter abbreviation is a code name of a person who replies and it is generated through their internal system. It changes over time as staff changes and applicants can receive replies from various staff members.
- However, the real thing that needs to be looked is the department from which you receive email.
- If you receive a reply from Immigration and Medical Services Division (IMSD) then your file is probably in a batch that is still not opened or your enquiry is of a nature that requires being dealt in Division 1.
- The Division 2 in Canada House is Client Service Unit (CSU) and they are responsible to deal with general client enquiries and reply with the status they see in their system.
- Division 3 is the Migration Unit (MU) and it where your file is opened and then reply is given from Program Assistants and not the analyst themselves. Background Checks and any other information related to your file is handled here. So, you will probably receive an email from Program Assistant unless it can be dealt by IMSD or CSU.
- Division 4 is Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and I haven't seen any reply from them so far. However, they are responsible for the investigation of Misrepresentation and Frauds.
- Division 5 is the Office for Senior Officers/Directors and here your file is concluded. The replies are mainly provided through MU or IRCC Divisions for Immigrations.

There are other units as well, however, I am unaware of their purposes at the moment.

Finally, another way to see at what stage is your file is to see 5 Levels of File Review:

Level 1: In process or waiting for review
Level 2: Under Review or is in process
Level 3: Awaiting a Final Review
Level 4: Background Check in undergoing
Level 5: File is Approved

I hope this will help. Good Luck to you all.
Hi Bill ,Thanks for this info.I always get reply from EXP .I would like to know if I need to pass all the levels before I get ppr? And in that case at the later stage can I expect to get correspondence from different department?
 

SFKAS

Hero Member
Jul 27, 2014
591
97
@BillHyatt I am sure your information is coming from experience and detailed analysis

But I would think it might not be exactly that.

As you can see from replies above.

Also I have gotten correspondence only from Immigration and Medical Services Division whether it be at the start or request for medical or adr.

As everyone's already anxious this analysis might get people analyzing the wrong thing. I don't think it matters where you're getting correspondence from with all due respect.

May be different applicants are with different departments. And there's not much to where the correspondence is coming from.
 
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dannio

Star Member
Dec 1, 2016
82
16
Thanks all for sharing info related to replies from London Visa Office. After your valuable input and research on their system, I have come to the following conclusion.

- The 3 Letter abbreviation is a code name of a person who replies and it is generated through their internal system. It changes over time as staff changes and applicants can receive replies from various staff members.
- However, the real thing that needs to be looked is the department from which you receive email.
- If you receive a reply from Immigration and Medical Services Division (IMSD) then your file is probably in a batch that is still not opened or your enquiry is of a nature that requires being dealt in Division 1.
- The Division 2 in Canada House is Client Service Unit (CSU) and they are responsible to deal with general client enquiries and reply with the status they see in their system.
- Division 3 is the Migration Unit (MU) and it where your file is opened and then reply is given from Program Assistants and not the analyst themselves. Background Checks and any other information related to your file is handled here. So, you will probably receive an email from Program Assistant unless it can be dealt by IMSD or CSU.
- Division 4 is Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and I haven't seen any reply from them so far. However, they are responsible for the investigation of Misrepresentation and Frauds.
- Division 5 is the Office for Senior Officers/Directors and here your file is concluded. The replies are mainly provided through MU or IRCC Divisions for Immigrations.

There are other units as well, however, I am unaware of their purposes at the moment.

Finally, another way to see at what stage is your file is to see 5 Levels of File Review:

Level 1: In process or waiting for review
Level 2: Under Review or is in process
Level 3: Awaiting a Final Review
Level 4: Background Check in undergoing
Level 5: File is Approved

I hope this will help. Good Luck to you all.
If an application is going through additional verification what level will you place this?
 

BillHyatt

Champion Member
Apr 13, 2017
1,737
2,036
Toronto
@BillHyatt,
I have been receiving replies from DRD(Program Assistant) that application is currently undergoing background verification checks. My AOR date is August 04 and IP2 since November 8. I received Scheduled A request on November 29 and my review of additional documents section changed to not applicable on February 27, 2018. Does this mean that file my file is at level 4 and I should expect PPR soon?
TIA
YES, unless security screening is being carried out which can take much longer times.