GCMS Notes
GCMS Notes can be requested to gain more detailed insights into the status and progress of your application with IRCC.
GCMS notes are one of the few ways applicants can obtain detailed updates on their application. These notes provide granular information, including the immigration office and officer handling their case, as well as the application status and the reasons behind it.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- What information is included in a GCMS note?
- Eligibility
- How to obtain a GCMS note
Overview
A Global Case Management System (GCMS) Note is an information file that applicants can request from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for various types of applications, including temporary residence (visitor visas, study permits, work permits) and permanent residence (Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, Family Sponsorship, etc.). This request is made under the Access to Information Act (ATI).
The GCMS serves as IRCC’s comprehensive internal system for managing and evaluating applications, and it is also utilized by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). By requesting a GCMS note, applicants can obtain updates about their application status.
Applicants can make this request once their application has passed the R10 completeness check, which is the initial assessment phase to ensure that all necessary documents have been submitted. It’s important to note that this check only confirms document completeness and does not indicate that the application has been fully evaluated. The duration of this process can vary based on the specific processing standards for each application type.
What information is on the GCMS note?
The GCMS note provides applicants with a wealth of information regarding their application, including:
Application Details: Information such as when the application was received, when it was opened, the immigration officer’s code assigned to the application, the current application status, and the reasons for that status.
Applicant Information: Any data IRCC has collected about the applicant.
Third-Party Submissions: Any information submitted to IRCC by a third-party representative on the applicant’s behalf.
This comprehensive view helps applicants understand their application’s progress and any related circumstances.
Who can apply for a GCMS note?
Anyone with an application pending with IRCC or CBSA that has passed the R-10 completeness stage may be eligible to request a GCMS note.
To obtain a GCMS note, you must first submit an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request under the Access to Information Act (ATI). To submit an ATIP request, you must be:
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or
An individual residing within Canada.
Applicants located outside Canada can still access GCMS notes by designating a representative who is either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or a corporation based in Canada. This representative will submit the ATIP request on the applicant’s behalf and must complete the Consent for an Access to Information and Personal Information Request form.
How to obtain a GCMS note?
To obtain a GCMS note, the first step is to file an ATIP request with IRCC, which can be done online or by mail.
To apply, applicants will need their application number and are encouraged to include their Unique Client Identifier (UCI) to expedite processing.
There is a processing fee of $5 CAD, which can be paid online.
Under the Access to Information Act, IRCC is required to respond to all ATIP requests within 30 days. However, this timeframe may be extended for specific reasons, such as if the request involves retrieving multiple files or if the complexity of the request prevents reasonable processing within the initial 30 days. In such cases, IRCC will contact the ATIP requester to provide an update.
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