The immigration department maintains records of the Applications processed both within and outside Canada. In addition, relevant records may also be available from Immigration & Refugee Board (IRB) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This is not the same information as that available on “e-client” but a very detailed record of the file. Apart from information submitted in the Application Forms, the records contain comments or notes made by the Immigration officer on the file. This information is valuable as it provides an insight into how a particular application is being viewed by the immigration department, and the issues that they consider important in decision-making. This helps us advice the applicant on ways to make a more favourable presentation and address a possible lacunae in the Application, before a decision is made. In most cases, this can either reduce processing times, enable the client to face the interview with confidence, prepare the client better to address the issues that are likely to be raised, or in a worst case scenario, avoid the dejecting rejection of an application.
The records are of 2 types:
- Immigration records outside Canada – CAIPS Notes – For applications being processed or processed in past at Visa offices outside Canada.
- Immigration records inside Canada – FOSS Notes – Immigration records of people present in Canada – Applications being processed or processed in past within Canada, etc.
In addition, records held by other Government agencies are also relevant in certain immigration matters, related mainly to Refugees. These records can be obtained from:
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- Immigration & Refugee Board (IRB)
Since 2011/2012, Immigration offices are using a more integrated version of such database called ‘Global Case Management System’ (GCMS).