November 2018 AOR - Join here

[zabrodov]

How long did it take you to get through to an agent?

20-25 minutes

 

[smash1984]

20-25 minutes

That's pretty good. Most people take a lot of time (like 45 minutes to get through to the agent.

But yeah, its weird they are checking background before eligibility.

 

[psato]

But doesnt background check start after eligibility ?

Maybe not anymore...IP1/NA1/NA2/IP2 may mean nothing now. See the following:

http://askkubeir.com/what-is-my-application-status/

 

[ViAchKoN]

What is checked in a background check? Travel history or something else ?)

 

[pizzaboy99]

But doesnt background check start after eligibility ?

That's how it used to be. But since 2017, background, criminality and eligibility all happen simultaneously. Thats why applicants were being processed at lightening pace in 2017.

This is also why the IP1/IP2/RPRF request etc all are completely useless now.

 

[pizzaboy99]

Got off the phone with CIC. According to an agent there, the only thing that has started on my file is background check. Neither criminality nor eligibility have started. AOR November 11th.

Weird

Eligibility is generally not being looked until in like the 3rd month nowadays

 

[pizzaboy99]

What is checked in a background check? Travel history or something else ?)

Personal data checked against watchlists for matches, info collected/requested from various countries based on your travel history and any number of additional checks based on your profile (e.g. if you have military service background, expect them to look extensively into your background).

 

[Shweta1289]

That's what I also thought

When and how can we contact the CIC?our AOR is 24th November

 

[ViAchKoN]

That's how it used to be. But since 2017, background, criminality and eligibility all happen simultaneously. Thats why applicants were being processed at lightening pace in 2017.

This is also why the IP1/IP2/RPRF request etc all are completely useless now.

But if background check is done in the same time as eligibility why eligibility has not started.

Now, I have started to wait for my Gcms notes stronger. Interesting what they have inside

 

[SithLord]

Totally undestand you! I planned to leave my job and do nothing until the PPR but it seems I will have to wait for that

Hope we will not be as summer applicants

I seriously do not want to be a summer applicant I have waited so long to get out of my crap life, really hope things speed up soon for us

Just praying us November applicants see some positivity in the coming days

 

[zabrodov]

Eligibility is generally not being looked until in like the 3rd month nowadays

It's frustrating to wait for several months for the most important stage that basically determines if you go further in the process or have to do everything over again. Unfortunately we don't have a choice here.

When and how can we contact the CIC?our AOR is 24th November

What you need to do is to call +1-613-944-4000 and then press "1" until you're transferred to the department of immigration. From there you need to press buttons that will lead to you to checking the status of your application. After entering your application number and the year of birth, the automated voice will tell you exactly what is written in your CIC account. After that you will have a choice to speak to an agent.

Unless you are in Canada, you will have to use either Skype or Hangouts to successfully make a call.

Note that not all agents will be open to the conversation about your status. An agent can just tell you that it's too early to call and that's it.

 

[SithLord]

But doesnt background check start after eligibility ?

I agree to this! Eligibility is always before background check.

This is very strange indeed

 

[ViAchKoN]

Does anyone know, at what stage they assess the evidence for common law partnership (marriage) ?
I have asked this question earlier but nobody answered

 

[hgunawa]

I agree to this! Eligibility is always before background check.

This is very strange indeed

Agreed. What's the point in doing background checks before hand if the applicant is not eligible? I feel like that should be the first step in the process. But oh well, who knows.

 

[pizzaboy99]

But if background check is done in the same time as eligibility why eligibility has not started.

Now, I have started to wait for my Gcms notes stronger. Interesting what they have inside

Background check is done by CBSA which is separate from IRCC & probably most of it is automated, sending requests for info and just waiting for replies. Eligibility is different, someone has to go through your entire documents (which number close to 100) and check things such as your IELTS scores, ECA evaluation, legitimacy of your employment etc. This takes time.

Basically in 2017, the Canadian govt decided to both parallelize the application process and increase the number of ITAs. In the beginning it was good as files were cleared fast but the large increase in ITAs over 2 years is now catching up with IRCC and VOs are not opening files until after 3-5 months have passed.