The impact GCSM notes have on the duration of your process

[Avadava]

Hi all,

I just wanted to bring this subject up for discussion because of something I've recently read. Someone from this forum went to ask for help from the MP (the application is 5 months over the normal processing times). So this lady at the MP office, not only she was rude but also told this person his/her file has been put back in the queue because they had ordered the GCSM notes.

So what is really happening when you order the notes? I've read several scenarios:
- they take your file out and delete whatever info they don't want you to see (criminal stuff I suppose)
- they simply access your file within their data base, make a copy of it and blank out the info they don't want you to see.

Is this true? Does ordering the notes put you back in the queue ? Why would the MP office say something like that? What about the difference between ordering the notes electronically (with delivery to your email address) or by post?

 

[Graihn]

Hi all,

I just wanted to bring this subject up for discussion because of something I've recently read. Someone from this forum went to ask for help from the MP (the application is 5 months over the normal processing times). So this lady at the MP office, not only she was rude but also told this person his/her file has been put back in the queue because they had ordered the GCSM notes.

So what is really happening when you order the notes? I've read several scenarios:
- they take your file out and delete whatever info they don't want you to see (criminal stuff I suppose)
- they simply access your file within their data base, make a copy of it and blank out the info they don't want you to see.

Is this true? Does ordering the notes put you back in the queue ? Why would the MP office say something like that? What about the difference between ordering the notes electronically (with delivery to your email address) or by post?

Not really an answer to your question, but:
MPs probably have power, but not knowledge. Which is slightly better than some immigration lawyers who give wrong info, who have NO power (which they claim to have) and rarely any knowledge.

So, what I am saying, of course ur file doesnt end up last in queue.

Regarding the other question with blanking out, I have no clue.

 

[zardoz]

If you order the standard GCMS notes, they are collected from the GCMS system, redacted and sent to you. There is zero impact on your application process time. This is not true if you order a copy of the physical notes, which have to be copied and returned to storage. This could well affect the speed negatively.

 

[Becki567]

If you order the standard GCMS notes, they are collected from the GCMS system, redacted and sent to you. There is zero impact on your application process time. This is not true if you order a copy of the physical notes, which have to be copied and returned to storage. This could well affect the speed negatively.

Are you referring to the electronic copy? When I have requested we get them in our email account. I really hope this doesn't affect our processing time!

 

[zardoz]

It all depends on where the source material comes from. The method of delivery to you makes (as far as I am aware) no difference. If you ask for the information from the GCMS computer system, there is a department that grabs it and sends it to you. It doesn't even touch the Visa Office that is processing the actual application.
If on the other hand, you ask for a copy of the physical paperwork where the Visa Officer has hand written comments etc , the file has to be pulled from storage in the actual Visa Office, copied (scanned?), and then put back into the pile, possibly at the back.

 

[Becki567]

I have requested the notes twice, and do not recall either time being asked where I wanted them to get the information from.

The only options that were given were an electronic copy or a paper file.

 

[Avadava]

It all depends on where the source material comes from. The method of delivery to you makes (as far as I am aware) no difference. If you ask for the information from the GCMS computer system, there is a department that grabs it and sends it to you. It doesn't even touch the Visa Office that is processing the actual application.
If on the other hand, you ask for a copy of the physical paperwork where the Visa Officer has hand written comments etc , the file has to be pulled from storage in the actual Visa Office, copied (scanned?), and then put back into the pile, possibly at the back.

Even if they were to take the file out, scan it and then put it back, would this really delay the application though? Because either way, as far as I know, the IO puts a bring forward date on all actions in your file. For example they start the criminality check, they put a bring forward date on that, which from my understanding is the date they look at your file again to see the progress of the criminality check.

 

[Avadava]

I have requested the notes twice, and do not recall either time being asked where I wanted them to get the information from.

The only options that were given were an electronic copy or a paper file.

I think Zardoz is referring to the question: "What type of information would you like to request?" with the two options: Notes in Electronic file or Physical file. This question is on the second page of ATIP online request.

The help menu of the question says:

"Electronic Files:

CIC uses three electronic systems: Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System (CAIPS), Field Operation Support System (FOSS) and Global Case Management System (GCMS).

The CAIPS is comprised of notes made by immigration officers located at missions abroad only.

FOSS is comprised mainly of immigration files located in Canada. However, in some cases, they also include notations made by overseas staff. This system is used primarily by Points of Entry(POE) officers to record the entries and exits of foreign nationals.

The GCMS is CIC’s new integrated and worldwide system used internally to process applications for citizenship and immigration services.

Physical Files:

The physical files include all files located in Canada or abroad that pertain to an immigration process, such as a work or study permit, an extension of temporary residence, a sponsorship, an application for permanent residence, etc."

But I think if you request the Physical files, they will pull out your file and send it to you, with them keeping a copy of it.

 

[Betina]

But I think if you request the Physical files, they will pull out your file and send it to you, with them keeping a copy of it.

If you ask for the physical file, they pull it out, scan it, and send you a copy either on a CD or through email. You are the one getting a copy, and they keep the original file. It's not the other way around.

We asked for our GCMS notes (electronic file) once every month. It never affected our process negatively. More so, we got the impression it helped, because every time after the file was generated the process seemed to move al least one step further. The first and second time we thought it was a coincidence, but it happened the same the 3rd and 4th time

I also think that asking for the physical file might affect the processing time negatively only because the file will then be pulled out by the ATIP officers and would not be on hand for the visa officers.