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Tag Archives: permanent residency

What to do if your application is assigned to an Inactive Immigration Officer

Mismanagement has put nearly 60,000 applications in processing limbo, according to a recent Access to Information and Privacy request. Officers in consulates around the world were assigned active cases, including those from Indian, United States, Philippine, and Brazil airports, border ports, and processing centres.

Following CBC News’ story about how Canada’s immigration department assigned thousands of applications to inactive employees and placeholder codes, the department explained its processing system. In an Access to Information request earlier this year, CBC requested information on all inactive employees and placeholder codes assigned to applicants. Data from IRCC’s Global Case Management System (GCMS) – the worldwide system used to process citizenship and immigration applications – revealed IRCC’s “inactive users” in October. According to the data, there are 59,456 open, pending, or re-opened applications assigned to 779 codes.

There were 9,540 applications assigned the most heinous code, SM10353. The last time this Sydney, Newfoundland-based placeholder or former employee used the system was on March 23, 2021. Among the others are:

  • TD7976, an Ottawa-based company with 5,782 assigned applications, last logged in in October 2020.
  • The most recent login for Edmonton-based TH04332, which has 3,937 assigned apps, was in February 2011.
  • About 3,756 applications have been allocated to CB01126, based in Sydney, Newfoundland, and Labrador.
  • With 3,388 assigned applications to CB00580, situated in Edmonton, last logged in in January 2012.
  • The last login for RK01404, based in India, had 2,201 assigned applications, was in March 2021.
  • With 2,167 assigned applications, CA9999, situated in Edmonton, last logged in in August 2015.
  • With 1,897 assigned applications, Sydney, Newfoundland-based LB6660 last logged in in December 2016.
  • RA9519, a Vancouver-based with 1,864 assigned applications, last logged in in February 2016.
  • With 1,710 assigned applications, RL7901, situated in Ottawa, last logged in in November 2015.
  • D9151, an Edmonton-based company with 1,702 assigned applications, last logged in in August 2013.

What are ‘placeholder’?

Inactive users’ codes are described as “placeholders,” “catchment areas,” “group reference numbers,” and “batch codes” by the IRCC. Both terms refer to queues for holding applications waiting for the next stage of processing. This is the equivalent of a mailbox in an office building. Depending on their expertise and line of business, immigration officers pull files from these “mailbox” bins.

What happens when someone is assigned an inactive code?

If a file is assigned to one of these bins, it is waiting for an employee to work on it. Suppose an immigration officer comes in to review a permanent residency (PR) application, for instance. It goes back into a bin and waits for another officer at one of IRCC’s partners abroad, like its New Delhi visa office, to finish the step if more information is needed. A PR application will be placed in a bin again if all steps are approved. Depending on where the applicant is located, the appropriate office would pick it up from the “mailbox,” to finalize the application. There are many types of applications, and that’s just one example. A simple application, such as a visitor visa, may spend less time in line and need fewer officers’ touches. It’s very likely that all applications that enter GCMS at some point will be assigned these placeholder codes.

What is the typical retention period for these bins?

It depends on each case, but officials estimate that applications can remain assigned to these placeholder codes for months at a time. Simple applications like visitor visas may take up to a few hours.

When an employee leaves IRCC, what happens?

It is up to the manager to reassign all active immigration applications to another officer with similar skills when an employee leaves IRCC. IT employees do regular program runs to ensure that anyone who hasn’t logged in for a while isn’t attached to open files if that hasn’t been done before their ID is deactivated. This is referred to as a “failsafe” practice by officials.

What should you do if your application is taking longer than usual?

You can check the processing times for your immigration category to see if your application falls within the normal range. Processing times can be found on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few things you can try to do.

Apply for GCMS notes

The Global Case Management System (GCMS) is an electronic data management program that is used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to track the progress of applications from overseas as well as within Canada. In GCMS, immigration officers record their notes and concerns about applications. It is likely that applying for GCMS notes under ATIP will trigger the processing of the application if it is assigned to an “inactive code”.

Submit Case Specific Inquiry

You may submit a Case Specific Inquiry (CSI) to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to inquire about the status of your immigration application or to request that certain issues be addressed. You can submit a CSI through the IRCC’s website. Consider submitting a CSI if you are experiencing delays in the processing of your immigration application. Please provide as much information as possible about the specific reasons for the delay and any circumstances that may have contributed to it. In addition, you should include any correspondence you have received from IRCC. Submission of a CSI does not guarantee expedited processing of your application. However, it may help bring your situation to IRCC’s attention and result in your application being processed more quickly.

Contact IRCC Call Centre

Contacting the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Call Centre may help you to get information about the status of your immigration application or to address any issues or concerns you have about the application process. The IRCC Call Canter can be reached at 1-888-242-2100, Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm local time, excluding statutory holidays. Consider calling early in the morning or using a speakerphone. Note the date and time you called, the agent’s name, and the exact information they provided. Request that the agent email the information they provided. The immigration agent with whom you speak is different from the officer who will review and decide your application.

Contact your local Member of Parliament (MP)

MPs have access to a hotline and email accounts with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (and other government functions). They can use these communication lines to contact IRCC and ask for information. This is especially important if your case seems to have stalled (you have not heard from Immigration for a long time after the estimated wait time), to determine when your case may have been heard. It can sometimes result in your application being resumed if it has been in limbo for far too long without any progress. It is not necessary for you to be a permanent resident or a citizen to access this resource. You may find your local MP by visiting the following site:

https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=cir/maps2&document=index&lang=e

Contact IRCC via email

IRCC does not generally respond to email inquiries related to specific immigration applications. Contact the IRCC Call Centre or submit a Case Specific Inquiry (CSI) through the IRCC website if you have specific questions about your application. If all other attempts to resolve the issue have failed, you may consider sending an email to IRCC. For Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) you may email IRCC at [email protected]. Include your family name, given name, Unique Client Identifier (UCI) Number (also referred to as a Client ID Number), application number and date of birth in your email.

How Can X can help?

Can X Immigration and Consulting Inc. is a Canadian-based consulting firm that provides immigration and consulting services. With our expert advice and immigration services, we have been helping clients from all over the world for many years. It is our commitment to provide our clients with courteous and knowledgeable support at every stage of the process.

Start your Immigration journey with Can X

Canada to Expand Transitions to Permanent Residency

Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, has proposed expanding options to permanent residence for international students and temporary foreign employees. The new five-pillar approach intends to increase the number of foreign workers and international students who transition to permanent residence and have substantial work experience in fields where there is a persistent labor shortage.

The strategy was developed in response to Motion 44 proposed by Randeep Sarai, Liberal Member of Parliament for Surrey Centre in May of 2022. The motion requested that the government develop and publicly release a plan to expand economic immigration to meet labor needs with workers of all skill levels.

Temporary foreign workers and international students are essential contributors to the Canadian economy, which is why the government is working to create more avenues to permanent residency. Foreign workers contribute to economic recovery and growth by addressing immediate labor needs, providing a diverse variety of skill levels and educational backgrounds, and supporting company expansion, innovation, and productivity. International students are an important source of talent, helping to expand Canada’s labor force, enhance productivity, and offset the impact of the country’s ageing population.

Five Pillar Strategy

Pillar 1

The enhanced immigration levels targets set in the Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 are intended to give Canada with a larger, permanent labor supply. This strategy expands chances for more temporary workers to become permanent residents, thereby addressing labor market shortages and fueling our post-pandemic economic growth.

Pillar 2

Through recent changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Express Entry system will be reformed, including increased flexibility in immigration selection tools under Express Entry. The Department will also review the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System criteria, specifically the points awarded for Canadian work experience and education, language proficiency, and a job offer. These revisions set the stage for the upcoming version of Express Entry, which will include more options for workers of all skill levels to transfer to permanent residence.

Pillar 3

This includes implementing changes to permanent economic immigration plans to aid in the transition of workers in high-demand occupations from temporary to permanent residence. On November 16, IRCC plans to adopt the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. This new occupation classification system will make 16 new occupations eligible for Express Entry while eliminating three previously eligible occupations. The government also intends to improve newcomers’ access to information to ensure that they meet the necessary qualifications and connect them to federal, provincial, or territorial immigration programs; remove barriers for physicians and other high-demand workers; and improve pilot programs to support permanent residency pathways for caregivers and agri-food workers.

Pillar 4

IRCC will support communities in attracting and retaining newcomers, including through Francophone immigration. The government aids Francophone minority groups outside of Quebec with initiatives targeted at attaining the 4.4% French-speaking immigration objective by 2023. A new Municipal Nominee Program is also being developed to assist municipalities in attracting and retaining newcomers to meet their local labor needs. In addition, the government is continuing to collaborate with provinces, territories, and Canadian employers on pathways to permanent residencies, such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Pillar 5

IRCC has reporting a decrease in its August 31 inventory. Still, Canadian immigration backlog is at 2.6 million. The government plans to “modernize the immigration system through technology advances”.  The government is expanding processing capacity, improving client experience, and modernizing the immigration system. These measures are aimed at ensuring that newcomers are welcomed as permanent residents as soon as feasible.

Need immigration services! Contact us for consultation and assistance.

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) at CAN X IMMIGRATION can help you with your Visa and permit with a free assessment and consultation.

Express Entry : Canada invited 681 PNP candidates on October 13, 2021 draw

A total of 681 candidates who had already received an additional 600 points with a provincial nomination were invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency in the Express Entry draw which took place on October 13, 2021. The cut-off CRS score in this draw was 720. In the previous PNP only draw, minimum cut off was 742 points and 761 candidates were invited by IRCC.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is the application process for skilled workers in Overseas or Canada who want to settle in Canada permanently. This is the fastest and most popular pathway for newcomers seeking a new life in Canada. Interested Candidates are required to submit an online application to express their interest by creating Express Entry (EE) profile and, providing information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and some other details. After submitting the profile, candidates get a score to determine their place in the pool using the point-based system called Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS system considers skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other factors (e.g. having a sibling in Canada, Canadian education or a valid job offer in Canada, etc.) to award points. Highest ranking candidates from Express Entry pool are regularly invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence. Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Express Entry streams of the Provincial Nominee Programs

The Provincial Nominee Class (PNC) allows provincial and territorial governments to choose immigrants according to the economic needs of the province or territory. Nine Canadian provinces and two territories have provincial nominee programs which:

  • Establish its own standards and processes by which it chooses its nominees,
  • Try to nominate those candidates who would be most likely to settle effectively into the economic and social life of the region.

PNP has two (2) steps

  1. First apply to the province or territory where you want to live and be nominated.
  2. After a province or territory nominates you, you must apply to IRCC for permanent residence. An IRCC officer will then assess your application based on Canadian immigration rules.

All Canadian Provinces have their unique immigration programs that can either support a Federal Immigration application via ‘Express Entry’ or through a stand-alone PNP application. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) gives provinces and territories an active role in immigrant selection as it authorizes them to nominate for permanent residence individuals who will meet specific local labour market needs.

Need help staying in Canada!

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to challenging times in Canada and around the world. Many people are under distress and anxiety. We understand! We may help you figure it out, so you can have peace of mind. You could be an international student, worker, or visitor looking to extend your stay in Canada. You may be seeking a pathway to permanent immigration. Or you may be looking to reunite with a loved one. Or you may want to be a Canadian Citizen. Whatever the reason, contact us to discuss your immigration needs, and we’ll provide our insights and help as much as we can during these difficult times.

Express Entry : Canada invited 761 PNP candidates on September 29, 2021 draw

A total of 761 candidates who had already received an additional 600 points with a provincial nomination were invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency in the Express Entry draw which took place on September 29, 2021. The cut-off CRS score in this draw was 742. In the previous PNP only draw, minimum cut off was 732 points and 521 candidates were invited by IRCC.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is the application process for skilled workers in Overseas or Canada who want to settle in Canada permanently. This is the fastest and most popular pathway for newcomers seeking a new life in Canada. Interested Candidates are required to submit an online application to express their interest by creating Express Entry (EE) profile and, providing information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and some other details. After submitting the profile, candidates get a score to determine their place in the pool using the point-based system called Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS system considers skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other factors (e.g. having a sibling in Canada, Canadian education or a valid job offer in Canada, etc.) to award points. Highest ranking candidates from Express Entry pool are regularly invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence. Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Express Entry streams of the Provincial Nominee Programs

The Provincial Nominee Class (PNC) allows provincial and territorial governments to choose immigrants according to the economic needs of the province or territory. Nine Canadian provinces and two territories have provincial nominee programs which:

  • Establish its own standards and processes by which it chooses its nominees,
  • Try to nominate those candidates who would be most likely to settle effectively into the economic and social life of the region.

PNP has two (2) steps

  1. First apply to the province or territory where you want to live and be nominated.
  2. After a province or territory nominates you, you must apply to IRCC for permanent residence. An IRCC officer will then assess your application based on Canadian immigration rules.

All Canadian Provinces have their unique immigration programs that can either support a Federal Immigration application via ‘Express Entry’ or through a stand-alone PNP application. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) gives provinces and territories an active role in immigrant selection as it authorizes them to nominate for permanent residence individuals who will meet specific local labour market needs.

Need help staying in Canada!

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to challenging times in Canada and around the world. Many people are under distress and anxiety. We understand! We may help you figure it out, so you can have peace of mind. You could be an international student, worker, or visitor looking to extend your stay in Canada. You may be seeking a pathway to permanent immigration. Or you may be looking to reunite with a loved one. Or you may want to be a Canadian Citizen. Whatever the reason, contact us to discuss your immigration needs, and we’ll provide our insights and help as much as we can during these difficult times.

Welcoming Parents and Grandparents to Canada through PGP 2021

Canada has announced the Parents and Grandparents program through which Canadians and Permanent Residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada.

IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) expects to draw 30,000 people from the lottery over the course of two weeks. The IRCC Web site only takes into consideration individuals who filed an interest for sponsorship form between midsummer EDT on 13 October 2020 and midday EDT on 3 November 2020.

An IRCC directive stated, to avoid utilizing outdated forms or following previous instructions, IRCC advises candidates to wait until they get an ITA before filling out an application. Those who apply but do not receive an ITA will not be repaid their application fees.

Application process for parents and grandparents program

Upon receiving the ITA, – the applicant needs to complete two applications that include-

  • Application for Request of sponsorship
  • Parents’ and grandparents’ application for permanent residency

These two requests can be submitted simultaneously online. The applicant needs to pay an application fee, biometric fee and other fees. The application fees can be paid online that include the following payments such as-

  • Sponsor processing fees, which means fees for the sponsored people and their employees
  • Entitlement to permanent residence fee

The applicant shall also pay the biometric fee charged on filing the application. However, after the application is filed, biometrics is collected. The applicant may also need to pay fees to third parties for carrying out Medical examination and issuing of Police Certificate.

The family members may be asked to provide their biometrics through a letter after paying the biometric fees. The family members are given 30 days to provide biometrics at the nearest collection point. In addition, pursuant to COVID-19, IRCC has put in place particular arrangements or measures for biometrics collecting.

IRCC provides a period of 60 days to receive completed sponsorship applications from invited sponsors. Sponsored parents and grandparents will become permanent residents of Canada and as such would be eligible for all benefits, including free health care.

There exists a high demand among Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their loved ones and receiving a PGP invitation is tough. Previously, IRCC has received about 100,000 website visits displaying interest for submitting sponsor forms within minutes of the policy being launched.

If I receive a PGP 2021 invitation, what should I do?

It is critical that you meet the eligibility requirements for the PGP 2021. The following conditions must be fulfilled to meet the PGP eligibility criterion:

  • You must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a member of a status First Nations.
  • You must also show that you have the Minimum Necessary Income to IRCC (MNI). Your notifications of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the tax years 2020, 2019, and 2018 must be submitted.

In case you fit the criteria and want to move further, you will have 60 days to submit your complete sponsorship application to IRCC, with the necessary payment. PGP is emerging as an opportunity to reunite families as part of family reunification program assisting applicants on humanitarian grounds.

Individuals who live in Quebec and who want to sponsor a parent or grandparent need to have their income assessed by the Quebec Immigration Ministry, which is based on the province’s income standards.

How Can X Immigration can assist you?

If you have been invited to sponsor, please contact us it would be our privilege to paly a part in reuniting families.

To help you with your PGP 2021 application, we will –  

  • Our experienced RCIC consultants will provide free consultation and help you understand the PGP program
  • We will answer all queries from you (sponsor) and the applicant (parents and grandparents)
  • Verify that you meet the PGP 2021 eligibility requirements
  • Gather all required paperwork, supporting documents and fill out necessary application forms
  • Submit your application to IRCC within the 60-day period
  • Keep you informed about the status of your application
  • Communicate with Canadian government on your behalf