Information about this service
Visafile.info is the online service allowing anyone to request information from Canadian official authorities.
If you applied for a Canadian visa or for immigration to Canada, you can order GCMS notes here – this option is the most popular among our customers. Click here to proceed directly to GCMS notes request or browse the categories below to read more.
What is GCMS notes?
GCMS notes is the information stored and processed in the electronic system of Canadian immigration authorities about every immigration/visa application ever submitted worldwide.
Why I may need GCMS notes?
There are many reasons: to see what's going on with your immigration application, to understand what matters will be discussed at the interview, to find out why an officer refused your application, to see if your immigration representative does the good job, to make sure you did not miss any important correspondence, to check if your mail was received and many more.
Who can request GCMS notes?
Anyone who applied for any Canadian visa or permanent residence can request their GCMS notes at Visafile.Info.
How to request GCMS notes?
To request GCMS notes at Visafile.info you will need to authorize us to receive your personal information on your behalf. The procedure is simple:
make the payment
fill the online form
receive the pre-filled authorization form by email
print and sign the form
send scanned image or photo of the signed form back to us
receive your GCMS notes
How long does it take to receive GCMS notes
Usually processing time is around 35 days, but up to 45 days is deemed normal.
In some cases it may take longer than usual to receive GCMS notes, but such occasions are rare.
What if I don't receive GCMS notes?
If you provide correct information about your visa/immigration file and properly executed authorization form, you will receive GCMS notes. In many years there was no incident when our customer did not receive GCMS notes.
When GCMS notes are generated after I order?
GCMS notes may be generated at any time during the waiting period. We have absolutely no control over it.
Can you provide update on the status of GCMS order?
GCMS notes are produced by Canadian immigration authorities, and they do not provide any updates to us – at least not within the normal processing time frame. As such we cannot update you on the order status, unless it takes longer than usual, in which case we inquire about the status and may receeive some feedback for you.
Will ordering GCMS notes have any negative impact on my case?
No! Ordering GCMS notes is absolutely legal and it has no negative effect on your immigration/visa case. In fact there are numerous reports that people see development on their immigration cases shortly after they order GCMS notes.
What is the file number I have to provide when ordering GCMS notes?
File number is usually 1 or 2 letter followed by 9 or 8 numbers respectively. Examples of valid file numbers are V123456789 (temporary visa application), W123456789 (work permit application), S123456789 (study permit application), EP12345678, E123456789, F123456789 (permanent residence application).
Where do I get a file number?
The file number is present in the very beginning of any correspondence you receive from Canadian immigration authorities.
There are two numbers... Which one should I use?
Most likely another number is UCI (Unique Client Identifier). It is assigned to an individual, not to a visa file. UCI does not begin with a letter.
Can I order GCMS notes if I don't have a file number?
Yes, we can help you to request GCMS notes even if you don't have a file number. Please contact us for details.
I see lots of abbreviations in my GCMS notes. What do they mean?
Some of the most commonly used abbreviations in GCMS notes are:
BELA: Batch email and letter application
USNIV: US non-immigrant visa
IPRMS: Integrated Payment Revenue Management System
CDA: Canada
COR: Country of residence
PHEP: Photos, height, eye color and passport
MAU: Medical admissibility unit
CMAU: Centralized medical admissibility unit
IPM: Immigration program officer
DIPM: Deputy immigration program officer
AFU: Anti-fraud unit
BFD: Bring forward date
LOI: Letter of invitation
HOF: Holder of file
PA: Principal applicant
RFV: Ready for visa
NRT: No reportable trace