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legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,030
9,888
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016
Starting a new thread for all those who intend or have received their AoR in September 2019, or anticipate filing their application in September 2019.

Sharing some useful info here:

Visa Office


There has been an obsession of finding which visa office the application is at. Many threads on this forum start with explaining how to find your visa office. Let's get to the crux of it. Finding the visa office was very relevant pre- express entry. Even after the introduction of express entry in 2015, the same practice was followed which usually was for the paper based application, but that is no longer the case. Earlier all application followed the following trajectory:

Central Intake Office - Case Processing Centre - Local Visa Office

However, this has radically changed and for all express entry, all application follow the following:

1. Central Intake Office -
The R10 (completeness check) is done at the Central Intake Office for all classes (FSW / PNP / CEC). Now even the criminality and medicals are done at CIO.

2. Case Processing Centre - These are 4 CPCs in Canada

CPC in Edmonton


The case processing centre in Edmonton processes:

extensions for temporary resident status and temporary resident permits
work and study permits
applications for permanent residence from protected persons and convention refugees in Canada
applications for permanent residence for live-in caregivers
applications for permanent residence under Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pathways
applications for permenent residence under the temporary resident permit holder class
loans for the right of permanent residence fee


CPC in Mississauga

The case processing centre in Mississauga processes applications to sponsor family members living in Canada and abroad.

CPC and CIO in Sydney

The CPC in Sydney processes:

applications for permanent resident cards (new and renewals)
citizenship applications (new, renouncing, revoking and resuming)
The centralized intake office in Sydney (CIO-S) receives all applications in the following categories:

Federal Skilled Worker
Federal Skilled Trades
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Program
Start-Up Visa
Quebec Investors or Entrepreneurs
Quebec Skilled Workers
Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Class
Federal Self-Employed Persons and Quebec Selected Self-Employed Persons


CPC in Ottawa

The case processing centre office in Ottawa (CPC-O) processes:

visitor visa (temporary resident visa) applications from within Canada for applicants with valid status (students or temporary foreign workers only).
permanent resident visa applications from the United States and Canada, after they have been received and deemed complete by CPC-M or CIO-S.


OSC in Ottawa

The Operations Support Centre (OSC) processes the following applications:

International Experience Canada work permits
In-Canada temporary resident applications submitted online
Verification of Status (VOS)
Replacement of valid temporary resident documents
Amendment of immigration documents and of valid temporary resident documents


Local Visa Office - This is the office where you will be asked to submit your passport after your application has been approved. Usually the consulate in your home country.

These days all application after starting at CIO (where R10 is met), either start the processing of eligibility at CIO itself, or move to CPC (wither Ottawa, Sydney, or Vegreville), or are straight sent to the LVO. The trend has been to complete most of the processing between CIO and CPC. Since the applications are electronically stored, there is no movement of physical files.

SUGGESTION - There is no point sending emails to ask which VO your application is at, as that process is moot since the eligibility can even start at CIO. So save yourself some time and efforts and also save the human resources of IRCC and stop sending emails. Even if you know which VO your application is at, it means nothing. Most applications which are processed within weeks and get PPR, are processed at CIO, and this is a much faster way.

A few applications will see eligibility passed, and then go to not started when the application is sent to the LVO. This is because the final review is done at the LVO, and the local agent may decide to conduct additional review, or identification before the eligibility is finally set to PASSED.



Tracking your application

Unfortunately the only thing that you see is your MyCIC account. There has been a growing trend of speculation where change of status on MyCIC has been attributed to eligibility being passed, etc. The whole NA, IP IP2 is speculation and has no bearing on determining which stage your application is at. While any change of status is a good sign, but merely relying on NA and IP is not the correct way.

Most applicants will find it irrelevant, as their applications will be processed and approved within the first 3-4 months. It is those who wait for more than 4 months, where things go crazy as they keep relying on NA, IP etc, and see no movement or progress. Many other are stuck on so called IP2, and the PPR never seems to come.

So put these speculative theories to rest. As per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, regulations and the ministeral instructions every application goes through the following stages:

R10 (Completeness check)
Medicals
Criminality
A11.2 Eligibility (The most important stage)
Security


To read more on each stage click here. While most applicants will not need to go this deep, but for those who have concerns about the application or it is taking too long should see which stage they are at. Also, the only way to determine the stage is by GCMS notes. To read more on GCMS notes, see the thread here.

ECAS (Electronic Client Application Status) -

This was the most important tool pre EE to track an application and provided much more in-depth status than what MyCIC does. However, after the IRCC moved to the Global Case Management System (AKA GCMS) applications are no longer linked to ECAS.

So there is no point going there and checking.

Letter of Explanation -
As the name suggests, the LoE is exact what it sounds like. It is not an idea for the documents and you do not have to explain each document you are submitting in your application.

The simple rules to follow for LoE -

  • Should be 1-2 pages in length. If you cannot explain it in 1-2 pages, it is probably not worth it.
  • Only use LoE to explain an issue. Eg. you could not obtain a reference letter on letterhead, could not meet PoF 6 months avg balance, seeking exemption or extension from PCC, or to explain something in your application which is not clear.
  • IRCC Agents do read LoE, but if its too long and not to the point, it loses its importance.
  • You DO NOT need an index for your documents. There are placeholders for the documents just put each document there and when it is stored on the IRCC system it is names and stored in an organized way.


SOME USEFUL LINKS:

**Guide to Landing and Setteling** - https://goo.gl/8vQzcd
**Proof of Funds** - https://goo.gl/mPejMN
**Medicals** - https://goo.gl/Xpmj5e
**Age and EE** - https://goo.gl/u8bqAU
**Stages of EE Application ** - https://goo.gl/AmdtgR
**GCMS Notes** - https://goo.gl/Jhk1Un
**Keep GCMS Notes Safe** - https://goo.gl/97J7AT
**Add Spouse to app** - https://goo.gl/ZgRP6C
**PNP and its obligations** - https://goo.gl/XUva1e

All the best!!


THESE ARE MY VIEWS AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THESE. IF YOU HAVE CONTRARY VIEWS, JUST IGNORE IT AND DO WHAT YOUR CONSULTANT ASKED YOU, OR WHAT YOU DEEM FIT.
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,030
9,888
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016

SG_512

Newbie
Sep 2, 2019
8
1
Received ITA on Aug 20 and I have submitted my application on Sept 1st, but still, haven't received AOR. Is it because of labor day extended weekend?
 

LaViva

Newbie
Dec 13, 2018
7
0
Got ITA August 20th, am yet to submit my application.

1. Please, do I have to download all the statement of account?
2. My husband is the primary applicant and the POF is in my account, what document do I need to proof that he has access to the money ?
3. Do I also need to submit my work experience, though it was not claimed.
Thank you
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,030
9,888
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016
Received ITA on Aug 20 and I have submitted my application on Sept 1st, but still, haven't received AOR. Is it because of labor day extended weekend?
It can take 12-24 hours. Usually for most it is immediate, but you should have it within 24 hours.
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,030
9,888
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,030
9,888
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016
How is an Express Entry Application Processed?


If you are an applicant who is about to file your application for permanent residency under the Express Entry, or you recently filed your application, the biggest question that you would be asking is – how does an application get processed after it is filed?

The basic stages of an express entry can be divided into two parts, pre-ITA and post-ITA. In the Pre-ITA stage, an applicant creates an online profile and enters the Express Entry pool. If the applicant has a high Comprehensive Ranking system (CRS) score, which is above the cut off for the specific round, the applicant receives an invitation to apply (ITA). Upon receiving the ITA, the applicant has 60 days to file the completed application with supporting documents. Upon the successful filing of the application, Acknowledgement of Receipt (AoR) is automatically generated, usually on the same day as submission. In some rare cases it may take a little longer to receive the AoR.

It is after this step that the application is processed by the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

1. Completeness Check

The Express Entry six-month processing time begins when an application is assessed as complete. This means that the 6 months processing clock starts when the R10 is passed or the completeness check is passed. This is the first step in processing the application. Applicants are required to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) within 30 calendar days of being issued an invitation to apply (ITA). The application and all supporting documents must be submitted electronically through the applicant’s online account. This is the first stringent check of the application. The Regulation 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Regulations imposes a strict liability on the applicants to account for all documents uploaded, satisfy what was stated in the EE profile, and ensure that there are no gaps. An application that is incomplete is liable to be rejected as per section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and all fees associated with the application are refunded to the applicant.

A complete application includes the following:

  • the electronic applicaton (e-APR);
  • the cost recovery fees; and
  • all supporting documentation to support applicant’s Express Entry profile and e-APR.
Usually, by this stage, the medicals are also passed. The medicals reports are reviewed by Health Canada.

2. Eligibility

The next stage is to determine eligibility, i.e. whether the application meets the program prerequisites under which it is filed. When reviewing an application, processing offices must determine if

  • the applicant possesses the qualifications that they declared in their e-APR, and if the same is corroborated by the supporting documents filed; and
  • when the applicant submits their e-APR, the information provided in their Express Entry profile has not materially changed to the degree that the applicant would not have been issued an ITA in that round of invitations.
The objective here is to review whether an applicant meets the program threshold and what the applicant claimed in his profile is true and correct. If there are any issues or concerns, the reviewing officer can send your application for further review. This may include an interview, extra document request etc. The officer also considers whether the application should be refused for not meeting the minimum requirements of the federal program or for misrepresentation.The eligibility focuses on two major factors:

a. Requirement to maintain Minimum Entry Criteria (MEC) – To meet the MEC, applicants must meet the program requirements of the federal skilled worker class (FSWC), the federal skilled trades class (FSTC) or the Canadian experience class (CEC). If an applicant’s situation changes in the time between when they receive an ITA and when they submit their e-APR to an extent they fall below the MEC, the application is refused under section A11.2.

b. Requirement to maintain the Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) – It is an applicant’s responsibility to ensure that his application meets the minimum CRS score. The CRS score is automatically recorded at the time when

  • ITA is issued; and
  • e-APR is submitted.
At the time of the e-APR, both the CRS scores are compared and one of the following scenario plays out:

  • If the applicant’s CRS score at the time of the e-APR is equal to or higher than the lowest-ranked score in the round of invitations, the application will not be refused as long as the applicant’s supporting documentation corroborates their claims and they continue to meet the MEC for Express Entry, including the requirements of the program to which they were invited to apply.
  • If the applicant’s CRS score at the time of the e-APR is lower than the lowest-ranked score in the round of invitations, the application will be refused under for not having maintained the qualifications that would justify the ITA.
If the applicant meets the requirements, of both, MEC and CRS, the eligibility is passed.

3. Criminality – Each e-APR has to be accompanied with Police Clearance Certificates in which the applicant has lived for more than 6 months. Read more on PCC here. Based on the PCCs submitted by the applicant and the travel history, the criminality is passed.

4. Security – The last and the final stage is the security. This is a serious & time-consuming stage and is done by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Many factors are considered here, such as number of countries visited, applicant country of residence and the political situation there, past law enforcement or military record, prolonged stay in a country with out sufficient documents to prove cause, frequent traveling to certain nations. Upon the completion of the security check by CSIS, the report is submitted to IRCC.

5. Final Review – The CSIS and CBSA reports is reviewed and it is ensured that all checks have been completed, and it is then that the application is approved.
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,030
9,888
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016
I have received my ITA on 20th August.
I am planning to file my application on 3rd Sept. Please add me in the group.
Check you inbox.
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,030
9,888
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016
How Express Entry works
Express Entry is an online system that we use to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers.

Step 1: Find out if you’re eligible
There are two ways to find out if you’re eligible for a program that is part of Express Entry:

Step 2: Get your documents ready
You need documents, such as language test results, to show that you’re eligible for Express Entry. Some documents take a long time to get, so you should get them ready now.

Step 3: Submit your profile
Your Express Entry profile is where you give us information about yourself.

If you’re eligible, we’ll accept you into our pool of candidates.

You’ll be ranked in the Express Entry pool using a points-based system. Your score is based on the information in your profile.

Step 4: Receive an invitation and apply for permanent residence
We send invitations to apply to the candidates with the highest scores in the pool. If we invite you to apply, you’ll have 60 days to submit your application for permanent residence.

We’ll process most complete applications that have all the supporting documents in 6 months or less.

 
  • Like
Reactions: s5773377

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,030
9,888
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016
Got my AOR on Sep 3.

All the best for your application.

I have posted above how the processing of an application takes.
 

artificial.nocturne

Hero Member
Jan 25, 2018
714
238
Pre-Assessed..
Yes
Starting a new thread for all those who intend or have received their AoR in September 2019, or anticipate filing their application in September 2019.

Sharing some useful info here:

Visa Office


There has been an obsession of finding which visa office the application is at. Many threads on this forum start with explaining how to find your visa office. Let's get to the crux of it. Finding the visa office was very relevant pre- express entry. Even after the introduction of express entry in 2015, the same practice was followed which usually was for the paper based application, but that is no longer the case. Earlier all application followed the following trajectory:

Central Intake Office - Case Processing Centre - Local Visa Office

However, this has radically changed and for all express entry, all application follow the following:

1. Central Intake Office -
The R10 (completeness check) is done at the Central Intake Office for all classes (FSW / PNP / CEC). Now even the criminality and medicals are done at CIO.

2. Case Processing Centre - These are 4 CPCs in Canada

CPC in Edmonton


The case processing centre in Edmonton processes:

extensions for temporary resident status and temporary resident permits
work and study permits
applications for permanent residence from protected persons and convention refugees in Canada
applications for permanent residence for live-in caregivers
applications for permanent residence under Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pathways
applications for permenent residence under the temporary resident permit holder class
loans for the right of permanent residence fee


CPC in Mississauga

The case processing centre in Mississauga processes applications to sponsor family members living in Canada and abroad.

CPC and CIO in Sydney

The CPC in Sydney processes:

applications for permanent resident cards (new and renewals)
citizenship applications (new, renouncing, revoking and resuming)
The centralized intake office in Sydney (CIO-S) receives all applications in the following categories:

Federal Skilled Worker
Federal Skilled Trades
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Program
Start-Up Visa
Quebec Investors or Entrepreneurs
Quebec Skilled Workers
Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Class
Federal Self-Employed Persons and Quebec Selected Self-Employed Persons


CPC in Ottawa

The case processing centre office in Ottawa (CPC-O) processes:

visitor visa (temporary resident visa) applications from within Canada for applicants with valid status (students or temporary foreign workers only).
permanent resident visa applications from the United States and Canada, after they have been received and deemed complete by CPC-M or CIO-S.


OSC in Ottawa

The Operations Support Centre (OSC) processes the following applications:

International Experience Canada work permits
In-Canada temporary resident applications submitted online
Verification of Status (VOS)
Replacement of valid temporary resident documents
Amendment of immigration documents and of valid temporary resident documents


Local Visa Office - This is the office where you will be asked to submit your passport after your application has been approved. Usually the consulate in your home country.

These days all application after starting at CIO (where R10 is met), either start the processing of eligibility at CIO itself, or move to CPC (wither Ottawa, Sydney, or Vegreville), or are straight sent to the LVO. The trend has been to complete most of the processing between CIO and CPC. Since the applications are electronically stored, there is no movement of physical files.

SUGGESTION - There is no point sending emails to ask which VO your application is at, as that process is moot since the eligibility can even start at CIO. So save yourself some time and efforts and also save the human resources of IRCC and stop sending emails. Even if you know which VO your application is at, it means nothing. Most applications which are processed within weeks and get PPR, are processed at CIO, and this is a much faster way.

A few applications will see eligibility passed, and then go to not started when the application is sent to the LVO. This is because the final review is done at the LVO, and the local agent may decide to conduct additional review, or identification before the eligibility is finally set to PASSED.



Tracking your application

Unfortunately the only thing that you see is your MyCIC account. There has been a growing trend of speculation where change of status on MyCIC has been attributed to eligibility being passed, etc. The whole NA, IP IP2 is speculation and has no bearing on determining which stage your application is at. While any change of status is a good sign, but merely relying on NA and IP is not the correct way.

Most applicants will find it irrelevant, as their applications will be processed and approved within the first 3-4 months. It is those who wait for more than 4 months, where things go crazy as they keep relying on NA, IP etc, and see no movement or progress. Many other are stuck on so called IP2, and the PPR never seems to come.

So put these speculative theories to rest. As per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, regulations and the ministeral instructions every application goes through the following stages:

R10 (Completeness check)
Medicals
Criminality
A11.2 Eligibility (The most important stage)
Security


To read more on each stage click here. While most applicants will not need to go this deep, but for those who have concerns about the application or it is taking too long should see which stage they are at. Also, the only way to determine the stage is by GCMS notes. To read more on GCMS notes, see the thread here.

ECAS (Electronic Client Application Status) -

This was the most important tool pre EE to track an application and provided much more in-depth status than what MyCIC does. However, after the IRCC moved to the Global Case Management System (AKA GCMS) applications are no longer linked to ECAS.

So there is no point going there and checking.

Letter of Explanation -
As the name suggests, the LoE is exact what it sounds like. It is not an idea for the documents and you do not have to explain each document you are submitting in your application.

The simple rules to follow for LoE -

  • Should be 1-2 pages in length. If you cannot explain it in 1-2 pages, it is probably not worth it.
  • Only use LoE to explain an issue. Eg. you could not obtain a reference letter on letterhead, could not meet PoF 6 months avg balance, seeking exemption or extension from PCC, or to explain something in your application which is not clear.
  • IRCC Agents do read LoE, but if its too long and not to the point, it loses its importance.
  • You DO NOT need an index for your documents. There are placeholders for the documents just put each document there and when it is stored on the IRCC system it is names and stored in an organized way.


SOME USEFUL LINKS:

**Guide to Landing and Setteling** - https://goo.gl/8vQzcd
**Proof of Funds** - https://goo.gl/mPejMN
**Medicals** - https://goo.gl/Xpmj5e
**Age and EE** - https://goo.gl/u8bqAU
**Stages of EE Application ** - https://goo.gl/AmdtgR
**GCMS Notes** - https://goo.gl/Jhk1Un
**Keep GCMS Notes Safe** - https://goo.gl/97J7AT
**Add Spouse to app** - https://goo.gl/ZgRP6C
**PNP and its obligations** - https://goo.gl/XUva1e

All the best!!


THESE ARE MY VIEWS AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THESE. IF YOU HAVE CONTRARY VIEWS, JUST IGNORE IT AND DO WHAT YOUR CONSULTANT ASKED YOU, OR WHAT YOU DEEM FIT.
Dear Legalfalcon, sorry to barge in like that but im Sep 2018 AoR and not so long ago I found out my file at LVO is awaiting review by immigration, I was previously and probably still am under Comprehensive SS, before they always told me through email that background checks are ongoing, only lately they told me its awaiting review. Could you please elaborate what it means and how long it could possibly take for the officer to review my file? Thank you so much. I really appreciate the help you provide to everyone on this website.
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,030
9,888
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016
Dear Legalfalcon, sorry to barge in like that but im Sep 2018 AoR and not so long ago I found out my file at LVO is awaiting review by immigration, I was previously and probably still am under Comprehensive SS, before they always told me through email that background checks are ongoing, only lately they told me its awaiting review. Could you please elaborate what it means and how long it could possibly take for the officer to review my file? Thank you so much. I really appreciate the help you provide to everyone on this website.
The first thing is that you need to be sure that your security is in progress and this is what is causing the delay. Security only starts after eligibility is passed.

So make sure that your eligibility is conclusively passed.

As regards security, that can take anywhere from 1 months to 18 months.

Have you requested your GCMS notes to see if your eligibility is passed?

For security see, https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/the-anatomy-of-a-background-check-in-depth-analysis.500146/