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PGWP Application in Canada: Why Last-Minute Submissions Can Result in Rejections

PGWP denied

Submitting a visa application can be a stressful experience, especially if you’re unsure about the requirements and the timeline. When it comes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application in Canada, it’s crucial to understand that the application process can be affected by your immigration status, time zone differences, and online application submission policies. In this blog post, we’ll explore how missing out on some key details could result in a rejection of your PGWP application.

If you stay in Canada after your study permit expires, you need to restore your status as a student to apply for a PGWP. One of the essential requirements for restoring your status is to pay additional fees. The restoration of status fee is currently $200 CAD, and it must be paid along with your PGWP application.

The Canadian government website states that “if you stay in Canada and let your permit expire, you must apply to restore your status as a student to apply for your PGWP. To restore your status, you must pay additional fees.” This requirement is often overlooked by international students, leading to unnecessary delays or even rejections of their PGWP applications.

Another crucial detail to keep in mind is the time zone difference between your location and the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) time zone, which is used by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for online application submissions. IRCC requires all electronic applications to be submitted before midnight UTC on the date the applicant’s status expires.

According to the IRCC website, “receipt dates and times do not depend on time zones; all applications must be submitted before midnight UTC on the date the applicant’s status expires.” This means that if you’re submitting your application on the day your status expires, you need to ensure that it’s submitted well before midnight UTC, taking into account the time zone difference between your location and UTC.

For instance, if you’re located in Toronto, Canada, and your status expires on March 30th, you need to submit your application before 8 PM (EST), as this is when midnight UTC occurs. If you submit your application at a later time, it will be considered as received on March 31st, and you will be out of status when the application was submitted.

Missing the deadline for submission or failing to pay the restoration of status fee can have serious consequences, leading to the rejection of your PGWP application. In such cases, you would need to leave Canada and apply for a new study permit from outside Canada, which can be a time-consuming and expensive process.

In conclusion, it’s essential to understand the requirements and policies related to the PGWP application process to avoid any delays or rejections. Make sure to pay the restoration of status fee along with your PGWP application and submit your application well before the deadline, taking into account the UTC time zone. By doing so, you can increase your chances of obtaining a PGWP and securing your post-graduation career in Canada.

These resources provide more detailed information about the requirements and policies related to the PGWP application process in Canada.

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Three Reasons Your Canada Visa Application is Pending.

Three Reasons Your Canada Visa Application is on Hold.

If you have applied for immigration to Canada, you may be eagerly waiting for a decision on your application. However, sometimes your application may get stuck in a limbo state called “review required”. You will know this status from your GCMS Notes. This means that your file has been flagged by an IRCC analyst for further scrutiny by a senior visa officer. This can delay your processing time and cause frustration and anxiety.

Why does your file get flagged for review required? There are many possible reasons, but here are the top three that we encounter most frequently:

  1. Lack of sufficient funds. One of the eligibility criteria for most immigration programs is to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada. This is called the proof of funds requirement. You need to provide bank statements or other documents to show that you have liquid assets that can be easily converted to cash. If you fail to provide adequate proof of funds, or if your funds fluctuate due to currency exchange rates, your file may be flagged for review required. You may receive a procedural fairness letter from IRCC asking you to explain or update your financial situation. You should respond to this letter as soon as possible with clear and accurate information, otherwise your application may be refused.
  2. Inconsistency or discrepancy in your information. Another reason why your file may be flagged for review required is if there is any inconsistency or discrepancy in the information you provided in your application. For example, if your work experience does not match your declared occupation, or if your education credentials are not verified by a designated organization, or if your family composition changes during the processing of your application, you may trigger a review required flag. IRCC may ask you to provide additional documents or evidence to clarify or confirm your information. You should comply with their requests promptly and honestly, otherwise your application may be deemed incomplete or fraudulent.
  3. Security or medical issues. A third reason why your file may be flagged for review required is if there are any security or medical issues that affect your admissibility to Canada. For example, if you have a criminal record, or if you have been involved in any human rights violations, or if you have a serious health condition that could pose a burden on the Canadian health care system, you may be subject to a review required flag. IRCC may conduct further investigations or assessments to determine if you pose a risk to the safety or well-being of Canadians. You may be asked to provide police certificates, biometrics, medical exams, or other documents to prove your eligibility. You should cooperate with IRCC and follow their instructions carefully, otherwise your application may be denied.

How can you avoid or resolve a review required flag? The best way to avoid a review required flag is to submit a complete and accurate visa application with all the required documents and information. You should also monitor your application status online and respond to any correspondence from IRCC as soon as possible. If you notice that your file has been flagged for review required, you should not panic or lose hope. You should consult with an experienced immigration lawyer who can help you understand the reason for the flag and advise you on how to address it effectively.

There is another reason due to inactive visa officer code being tagged against your immigration application. To read further click here

If you would like to apply GCMS notes from IRCC and CBSA go to gcmsapply.com

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Reason for Your Canada Immigration Application is Stuck

GCMSApply-Canada-Immigration-Application-Stuck

If you are one of the many people who have applied for immigration to Canada, you may be wondering about the status of your application and who is processing it. Also you are wondering why your application is on hold. You may have received a confirmation letter or email from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with a code that identifies your immigration officer or placeholder code. But what does that code mean, and how can you find out if it is active or inactive?

What are inactive users?

Inactive users are codes that represent former employees or computer placeholders that are no longer working within IRCC’s Global Case Management System (GCMS). GCMS is the worldwide internal system using by IRCC to process citizenship and immigration applications. They record their observations in GCMS Notes.

According to IRCC data obtained by CBC News through an Access to Information Act request, as of February 2022, there were 779 inactive users on GCMS, with 59,456 open, pending or re-opened applications assigned to them. Some of these inactive users last logged in and processed files up to 16 years ago, and some are from airports and visa offices around the world.

IRCC says that it reuses old codes and uses them as placeholder bins, where applications wait for the next stage in processing. For example, some applications may be assigned to a placeholder code while they are waiting for a security check or a medical exam. IRCC says that this is part of its triage strategy and that it helps to manage the workload and prioritize applications.

However, some immigration experts and applicants have raised concerns about this practice, saying that it creates confusion, delays and lack of transparency. They say that assigning applications to inactive users may give applicants false hope or misleading information about their status. They also say that it may prevent applicants from contacting their immigration officer or requesting updates on their file.

How to check if your Canada Immigration Application is assigned to an inactive user?

If you want to check if your application is assigned to an inactive user, you can follow these steps:

  1. Find your confirmation letter or email from IRCC that contains your Canada Immigration Application number and your immigration officer or placeholder code. The code usually consists of a mix of letters and numbers (like AB12345, for example).
  2. Go to the IRCC website and log in to your online account or use the online tool to check your application status.
  3. Enter your application number and other personal information as required.
  4. Look for the section that says “We are processing your application” or “Your application is in progress”. There you should see the name of the office where your application is being processed and the code of your immigration officer or placeholder code.
  5. Compare the code you see online with the code you received in your confirmation letter or email. If they match, then your application is assigned to that code. If they do not match, then your application may have been transferred to another office or officer.
  6. If you want to find out if the code you see online is active or inactive, you can use the IRCC data obtained by CBC News through this link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ircc-immigration-officer-container-placeholder-code-inactive-list-1.6669571
  7. On the webpage, scroll down until you see a table with four columns: Code, Location, Last Login Date and Number of Applications Assigned.
  8. Use the search function on the top right corner of the table to enter the code you see online.
  9. If you find the code on the table, then it means that it is an inactive user according to IRCC data as of February 2022. You can also see when it last logged in and how many applications are assigned to it.
  10. If you do not find the code on the table, then it means that it is not an inactive user according to IRCC data as of February 2022. It may be an active employee or a new placeholder code.

What to do if your application is assigned to an inactive user?

If you find out that your application is assigned to an inactive user, you may be wondering what to do next. Here are some possible options:

  • Contact IRCC through their web form or call center and ask for an update on your application status. You can also request to speak to a supervisor or escalate your case if you have urgent or compelling reasons.
  • Contact your local MP or senator and ask for their assistance in following up with IRCC on your behalf.

Click Here to Apply GCMS Notes Online

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How to Apply for a Canada Visa and Avoid Refusal: A Guide to GCMS Notes

Canada Visa A Guide to GCMS Notes

If you are planning to visit, study or work in Canada, you will need to apply for a visa or a permit that suits your purpose and eligibility. However, applying for a Canada visa is not always easy and straightforward. There are many factors that can affect the outcome of your application, such as your country of origin, your travel history, your financial situation, your education and work experience, and your ties to your home country.

One of the most common reasons why Canada visa applications get refused is because the immigration officer is not convinced that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay. This is known as the “dual intent” issue. The immigration officer has to assess whether you have a genuine temporary purpose to visit Canada and whether you have strong reasons to return to your home country after your visit.

To make this assessment, the immigration officer will look at various documents and information that you provide with your application, such as:

  • Your passport and travel history
  • Your invitation letter or itinerary
  • Your bank statements and proof of income
  • Your employment letter or business registration
  • Your property deeds or rental agreements
  • Your family ties and dependents
  • Your educational certificates or transcripts

However, sometimes these documents are not enough to convince the immigration officer of your intentions. In some cases, the immigration officer may have doubts about the authenticity or relevance of some of the documents. In other cases, the immigration officer may have additional questions or concerns that are not addressed by the documents.

This is where GCMS notes come in handy.

GCMS stands for Global Case Management System. It is an electronic system that records all the information and communication related to your Canada visa application. It includes:

  • The details of your application form and supporting documents
  • The notes made by the immigration officer who processed your application
  • The correspondence between you and the immigration office (such as emails or phone calls)
  • The results of any background checks or security screenings
  • The final decision on your application and the reasons for it

GCMS notes are very useful because they can reveal:

  • What exactly went wrong with your application
  • What additional information or documents were requested or missing
  • What criteria were used to assess your application
  • How you can improve your chances of success for future applications

You can request GCMS notes from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the Access to Information Act (ATIA). You can also apply online through a third-party service provider (such as gcmsapply.com).

The processing time for GCMS notes varies depending on several factors (such as workload at IRCC), but it usually takes between 30 to 60 days. Once you receive GCMS notes in PDF format via email, you can review them carefully and understand what went wrong with your application.

Some common reasons why Canada visa applications get refusal based on GCMS notes are:

  • Insufficient funds: You did not show enough proof of funds to cover your expenses in Canada.
  • Lack of travel history: You did not demonstrate enough travel experience outside your home country.
  • Poor ties: You did not prove enough ties to your home country that would motivate you to return after visiting Canada.
  • Inconsistent information: You provided contradictory or incomplete information in different parts of your application.
  • Fraudulent documents: You submitted fake or altered documents with your application.
  • Security risk: You posed a threat to public safety or national security based on background checks.

If you find out that any of these reasons apply to you based on GCMS notes analysis, then you should take steps to address them before applying again for a Canada visa. For example:

  • Save more money in a bank account under your name for at least six months before applying.
  • Travel more often within or outside your region using valid visas from other countries.
  • Strengthen ties with family members who live in different countries than yours.
    Show evidence of stable employment, education, business, property ownership, etc. in your home country.
  • Check all your documents carefully for accuracy and consistency before submitting them.
  • Avoid using any documents that are not original, certified, or translated by authorized sources.
  • Disclose any criminal records or security issues honestly and provide explanations if needed.

By following these tips, you can improve your chances of getting a positive decision on your next Canada visa.

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Understanding Chinook – The Tool Developed by IRCC to Simplify Visa Processing

What is Chinook: Canada Visa Application AI

Chinook is a tool using by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to simplify the visa processing for temporary residents. It is based on Microsoft Excel and aims to increase efficiency and improve client service by decreasing the impact of system and broadband latency. This, in turn, helps to improve processing times.

Chinook displays information stored in IRCC’s processing system and system of record, the Global Case Management System (GCMS), in a user-friendly way. It simplifies the visual representation of a client’s information, making it easier for GCMS users to process applications.

It is important to note that Chinook does not make decisions or assess applications. IRCC officers continue to review all client-submitted information to ensure informed and fair decisions. It is always an IRCC officer who makes the final decision on an application, not the Chinook tool.

Chinook is not mandatory for IRCC officers and does not fundamentally alter the decision-making process. It is simply a tool that offers a consolidated view in a more user-friendly way, instead of a multiple screen layout of the application’s information.

Chinook was officially launched in 2019 after being piloted in processing offices in 2018. It reduces the time spent uploading and reviewing information on multiple screens in GCMS, which is especially important in countries where computer bandwidth is slow.

Chinook is built in a modular way and can support different steps in the process of assessing an application, depending on the module. It can assist IRCC with steps such as file management, indicator management, and pre- and post-decision management.

Chinook does not store any data or client information. Officers must record all decisions in GCMS, which remains the system of record. IRCC officers who use Chinook provide all necessary training and support related to Chinook before other officers have access to the tool.

In December 2020, a sample study for overseas migration offices showed an 18-30% gain in efficiency, decreasing the impacts of system and broadband latency and allowing for shorter review time per application, hence increasing productivity.

It is important to understand that visa refusal and approval rates will vary from year to year. All applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, based on the specific facts presented by the applicant. Chinook does not fundamentally alter the decision-making process.

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Reference: CIMM — Chinook Development and Implementation in Decision-Making – February 15 & 17, 2022 – Canada.ca