When is CAIPS Useful?
If CIC calls an applicant for an interview, there is usually a
specific concern, issue or ambiguity in the immigration application that
the visa officer wants to
address. These concerns will be detailed in the visa officers notes within the client's CAIPS file.
Many Canada visa applicants who are called for interview obtain their CAIPS file as part of their
preparation for the interview. CAIPS files often contain invaluable information as to the precise reasons for interview, which can relate to the applicant's
employment history, education or many other factors.
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If you feel that there has been an unusually long time since you last heard from the visa office, you might
want to get your CAIPS file to understand what the current status of your application is.
Sometimes delays are caused by heavy backlog at the visa office and, although frustrating, checking the CAIPS
file at least provides reassurance that the application is on track, however slow the processing.
However, sometimes obtaining a CAIPS file following an unusual delay
reveals a problem such as a letter or document, or request from CIC for
some additional
information, that has gone missing or been sent to an outdated address.
CIC does provide an online system for checking the status of
immigration applications called e-CAS. To read more about checking the
status of your immigration
application visit our Application Status page.
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One of the most interesting pieces of information in a CAIPS file is
the next official 'bring forward' date. This simple information line
indicates where the paper
file is currently located, what is the next stage of processing, and on
what date (the bring forward date) it is expected to occur (see our sample CAIPS file).
Please note that the bring forward date is only a management device, and is not guaranteed. It's reliability varies from
visa office to visa office. In well run visa offices, with stable backlogs, the bring forward date often provides a
reliable guide to the likely timeframe for an interview, or selection decision.
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With CIC officers processing many hundreds of thousands of visa
applications every year, the occasional error does slip in to a CAIPS
file. Obtaining your CAIPS
file allows you to check your application for such errors or omissions
and to resolve them early, rather than them causing delays later on in
the process when your
visas are ready for issue.
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At most stages of processing, there will be some information in the
CAIPS file that is of use to the applicant. However, if you have just
applied, it is possible
that your CAIPS file is largely blank and will remain so until initial
processing (also known as paper screening) takes place. However, it
should show the official
'bring forward' date when CIC expects to start the next stage of
processing on your file.
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