CAIPS |
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| 1. What
is CAIPS. |
It is an automated system
for application processing outside Canada. Information is entered
in the system from application forms and supporting documentation
submitted by applicants for immigrant and non-immigrant visas. This
is very helpful when you want to get information about your case.
Your CAIPS report will tell you:
1. Reason for refusal, delay, etc.
2. If immigration officers have started processing your application
3. When your application will be due for formal assessment
4. How the visa officer assessed your qualifications
5. If there are any missing documents
6. If there are any problems with the file you submitted
7. Why your file is taking too long
8. Why you were called for an interview |
| 2. Can
I obtain the CAIPS Notes on my own? |
| Only a qualified individual,
i.e. a Canadian Citizen, a Permanent Resident or a person or corporation
in Canada, with valid documents can make a request on your behalf. |
| 3. When
is it proper to make a request? |
Have not received and Acknowledgement
of Receipt
If you have not received your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) then
your CAIPS Notes will probably not have been created yet - in which
case the file request will come back blank. So its best to request
CAIPS Notes when you receive your AOR. However, sometimes there can
be delays in sending out AOR's and obtaining your CAIPS Notes can
confirm whether the Immigration office has started processing the
application or not.
Have Received your Acknowledgment of Receipt AOR)
The CAIPS file will normally have, at minimum, two useful pieces of
information:
The bring forward date (bf) will tell you when your application will
be put on an immigration officer's desk for formal assessment. This
is when you will discover if you have been granted an interview waiver.
Please note that the bf date is not guaranteed and should only be
considered as a time frame for an interview or selection decision.
The preliminary points assessment (entered by paper screeners at
the visa office) will indicate whether the visa office is interpreting
your application in the way you had hoped. If a problem appears
here then you have the opportunity to send additional documents
in before an immigration officer formally assesses the file.
Invited to an interview
The CAIPS file will have the immigration officer's notes entered
when he reviewed the file and decided an interview was required.
The CAIPS notes will normally indicate to you why you need to be
interviewed.
Passed medicals, and paid the Right of Landing Fee (ROLF).
The normal reason for delays after medical/ROLF are CSIS (Canadian
Security and Intelligence Service) security checks or a processing
error. The CAIPS file will indicate if security checks have been
completed, and what other steps are outstanding if any. |
| 4. What
kind of information is available in CAIPS file? |
1.The status of your case
and required documents (received or not, valid or invalid, etc) 2.Visa
officer's comments on your case .
3.Questions that you will be asked in the interview (if an interview
is required) |
| 5. I do
not have a file number, can I request my CAIPS Notes |
| The CAIPS file can be requested
with just your full name, visa office, and the date of birth. If you
have not received your file number or do not have it available, a
CAIPS file can still be requested. However, it is best to request
your CAIPS file with a file number. File number ensures faster processing
of your request. |
| 6. I have
hired a lawyer/consultant for my Immigration application, can I still
use your service? |
| Yes, you can use our service
for obtaining the CAIPS/FOSS Notes, or Additional Services even if
you have retained an Immigration lawyer/consultant. The above requests
have very specific Consent forms, and are handled by a separate office
and processed independently of your immigration application |
| 7. Does it make a difference
which CIC/visa office is processing my case? |
| All CIC Access To Information
files can be requested for ANY CIC/visa office. All file requests
are processed through the Canada Immigration office in Ottawa, Canada,
not through the local CIC/visa office where you submitted your application |
| 8. How long would it take
to obtain the CAIPS Notes or the entire file? |
| CAIPS files can normally
be obtained in 3-4 weeks. The Ottawa office in Canada is required
to respond to CAIPS request within 30 working days. Please note that
in rare circumstances the Ottawa office may take longer to process
requests. The time frame provided is only an estimate to be used for
reference, actual processing time may vary. The entire file can
take at least 30 working days to complete the request and takes
longer if Citizenship and Immigration Canada has to collect information
from overseas offices.
Records held at a mission abroad are forwarded to Canada for review
using mail services, couriers and diplomatic bags belonging to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Reliability
of such services vary from country to country resulting in frequent
and uncontrollable delays in obtaining records from missions despite
the best effort of the mission staff. In such circumstances CIC
may require up to 60 working days to process requests. |
| 9. Will requesting the
CAIPS file delay the processing of my Immigration application |
| No, requesting the CAIPS
notes does not affect the processing of your Immigration application.
It actually resolves any discrepancies found in the CAIPS notes which,
in turn, can positively affect the processing of your application.
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