Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)What is CAIPS/GCMS/FOSS?Which CIC visa offices can you obtain CAIPS files for?How Long Does It Take to Obtain My CAIPS File?What Will I Receive If I Request My CAIPS File>Can I Obtain My File Without A File Number?How Much Does It Cost To Obtain My CAIPS File?Is There A Discount If I Request my CAIPS File A Second Time?I am an Immigration Consultant - Do I Get a Discount?Can I Obtain My CAIPS File Myself?Can CAIPS FileCheck Obtain Other Types of Immigration File?Who or What is CAIPS FileCheck?What is CAIPS/GCMS/FOSS?CIC uses 3 computer systems for processing immigration / visa applications. Historically, they used the CAIPS computer system in CIC offices outside of Canada, and the FOSS system for applications being dealt with in Canada. CIC has rolled out a new computer system called GCMS (Global Case Management System) for use in both Canadian and international offices - new applications are processed within the GCMS system but older applications usually still remain within the CAIPS system at this time. To ensure that we obtain your file, we routinely ask CIC to search both CAIPS/GCMS or FOSS/GCMS records as appropriate. CAIPS FileCheck can help you get a printout of your CAIPS/FOSS/GCMS file from the CIC computer systems. Your file should have
valuable information on the current status and future processing
of your application for a Canadian Permanent Residents Visa. Immigration files are also available for student,
work permit and other visa applications. Which CIC visa offices can you get CAIPS files for?We can access CAIPS and GCMS files for all visa offices around the world, including New Delhi, London and Canadian offices such as Ottawa. All file requests are
processed through a CIC
department in Ottawa, Canada, not through the local visa office,
so processing times are dependent on workloads at that department and (for larger files) Canada Post delivery times! How Long Does it Take to Obtain My CAIPS File?
Processing times vary depending on the workload at the CIC office in Ottawa that deals with CAIPS requests. By law they have up to 30 working days to respond,
but in practice most files come back in about 5-6 weeks at present. We send out files to our clients the same day that we receive them from CIC. What Will I Receive If I Request My Immigration File?If your file is held in the older CAIPS system, you will receive a computer printout of approximately 7 pages in length. GCMS files are longer - 35 pages is not unusual. The printout is a screen print from the relevant CIC computer system. On the printout will be all the key information from your file, such as notes that visa officers have made regarding your application, details of processing stages passed, points calculations, and the likely next 'bring forward' date for your file. What appears in your own file will depend on your individual circumstances and the stage of
processing that your application has reached. Unfortunately, the CAIPS system shows very little detail about background checks as these are completed outside of
CIC. I Don't Have a File Number - Can I Get My File?File requests are usually possible with just your full name, the name of the visa office dealing with your application, and your date of birth. If you do not have a file number because the visa office did not provide it to you, then we can still obtain your CAIPS file. However, if you do not have a file number because the visa office has not yet created your electronic file, we will not be able to obtain your file. We have obtained numerous files without file numbers, and are happy
to try to obtain your file without a file number, but we obviously cannot guarantee success under these circumstances, as it may be that CIC have not yet created a file
for you in their computer systems.
How Much Does it Cost To Obtain My CAIPS File?We believe our services are great value (think how much immigration consultants charge!). We have a range of services starting at just C$40 - or just C$30 for
existing clients. For a detailed explanation of our services and how much each costs please see our 'Costs' page or our
Application Kit. Is There A Discount If I Request My File Again?Yes. We offer a special service called 'CAIPS Repeat' as a 'thank you' for our existing clients. This service costs C$30 which is a 25% discount from our standard
CAIPS Basic rate. However, if you prefer to choose our CAIPS Premium or CAIPS Premium Interpreted services, we should be happy to extend the 25% discount to these
- just contact us via email at help@caips.ca for details. As an Immigration Consultant, Do I Get a Discount?We offer a standard 25% discount for consultants making single requests, with additional discounts available for those making more than five requests at one
time (with one payment). Please contact us via email at help@caips.ca for details. Can I Obtain My CAIPS Notes Myself?Under most circumstances, you will be unable to request your CAIPS file yourself. The Canadian law that allows access to immigration files restricts who has access to this information - you must be a Permanent Resident, Canadian Citizen or other person in Canada. Needless to say, most potential immigrants do not
qualify to obtain the information directly because they are not yet in Canada! It is for this reason that we established our CAIPS FileCheck service - having
emigrated to Canada ourselves we have been through the process and know how frustrating it is, and now we live in Canada we can help others who want to know what is
happening with their applications but cannot access the information themselves! If you are in Canada, you can find out how to apply for your file yourself
through the CIC website. Can You Obtain Other Types of Files?Yes. We can obtain FOSS files for applications being dealt with in Canada, and CAIPS/GCMS notes for study and work permit applications. We can also obtain full medical
files and copies of applicants' entire (hard copy) immigration files, although this process takes a little longer and we only recommend it in cases where there
seems to be a problem that needs resolution. Please visit our Other Immigration Files page for more details. Who or What is CAIPS FileCheck?CAIPS FileCheck was founded early in 2002 by two emigrants to Canada. We saw for ourselves how frustrating the process could be, and sought a way to help other
applicants to obtain information on the progress of their visa applications for a reasonable cost. Since that time, we have obtained
thousands of CAIPS files and have satisfied customers in all corners of the world (although the most satisfied are, of course, in Canada!). You can find details
of how to contact us on our Contact Details page if you would like more information. |