How to order GCMS notes? (ATIP)

[UPDATE : 27th March 2019 - “{SAMPLE}” added]

Currently, this have been asked most of the time, so here are instructions on how to apply for GCMS Notes. This guide is specific to Spousal Sponsorship ONLY and only reflect on how to apply for Notes.

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You can order Immigration Officer’s notes regarding your Spousal Sponsorship application under Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Act. Your notes can tell a lot about your application, such as immigration officer’s notes, Background Screening Status, Due Dates, Medical/Criminal Status as well as Expiry Dates, Eligibility Status, etc. It’s a good thing to apply for notes when your file is sitting idle for too long or have been transferred to London Visa Office (LVO) for some time.

SPR = SPONSOR

PA = PRINCIPAL APPLICANT

How to apply GCMS / ATIP notes?

- Sponsor can apply for GCMS notes on Principal Applicant (PA)’s behalf. They must provide scanned copy of their identity document to request notes. Cost = $5

- Remember that ANY Canadian resident can request notes on PA’s behalf if PA is not a Canadian Resident. It doesn’t necessarily have to be their Spouse.

STEP 1: ( Filling Consent Form - IMM 5744 ) - {SAMPLE}

1. Designated Representative’s Information

→ Write SPONSOR’s name, address, phone and email

2. Applicant's Information

→ Write PA’s name, PA’s date of birth and PA’s handwritten signature in blue ink and date of giving consent.

3. Leave 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 BLANK if you don’t have children.

- Before filling out any online forms for GCMS notes, make sure Principal Applicant (PA) have ‘signed’ Consent Form (IMM 5744). In order to do that, fill the form, print it, sign it, date it and scan it. You will need to provide colored scan copy of this form (1st page only)

- Make sure PA sign the form in BLUE ink.

- Sponsor do NOT have to sign this form.

- Also keep scanned copy of Sponsor’s Canadian Identity Document (Canadian Passport/PR Card)

- Consent is valid for 1 year from the date it is signed.

- Children of 16 years or older must also give consent in form fn they are part of Application.

- Children under 16 do NOT need to sign, but their details must be included in consent form.

- Upto 4 people can give consent in single form.

- Scan must be in good resolution (300 dpi and up) OR taking close and well-lit snapshot of form with smartphone camera will ensure form is accepted.

- Look at STEP 5 below at how to attach scanned copy of Consent Form.

STEP 2: (ATIP Welcome Page) - {SAMPLE}

- Go to https://atip-aiprp.apps.gc.ca/atip/ , Choose “ENGLISH”, read welcome page and click “Next” button.

- Read “Access To Information and Privacy (ATIP) Online Request” T&C’s (Privacy Notice)

- Check box ✓ next to “I have read, understood and agree with the above Privacy Notice” and Press “Continue” button (blue). - {SAMPLE}

STEP 3: (Requester’s Information) - {SAMPLE}

- Select the following options (Questions with ‘*’ sign are compulsory):

Q) *Please select the Department where you would like to submit an Access to Information or Privacy request.

A) Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Q) *Please select the category that best describes you.

A) <Choose current status of SPONSOR>

<enter SPONSOR’s information here>

Q) *Surname (Family Name)

Q) *Given Name(s) (First Name)

Q) *Street Number

Q) *Street Name

Q) Name of Business or Organization (if applicable)

Q) Apt.\Suite\Unit #:

Q) Post Office Box:

Q) *City:

Q) *Province/State

Q) *Country

Q) * Postal Code: Format (i.e. K1K 1K1)

Q) * Telephone number: Format (i.e. 613-555-1234)

Q) Fax Number

Q) *E-mail Address

Q) *Re-enter e-mail address.

Q) *Are you requesting information on your own behalf?

A) No

Q) *Are you requesting information concerning a deceased individual?

A) No

Q) *Select the category that best describes you.

A) Member of the Public

Q) *How would you prefer to receive the requested records?

A) E-mail

Press “Continue” button (blue).

STEP 4: (Act and Record Selection) - {SAMPLE}

Q) *What type of information are you requesting?

A) Access to Information Act

Q) *Which type of records do you wish to request?

A) Immigration/Citizenship Records

Requesting information for: (PA’s details)

<enter PRINCIPAL APPLICANT’s information here>

Q) *Surname (Family Name)

Q) *Given Name(s) (First Name)

Q) *Date of Birth: (yyyy-mm--dd)

Q) Client ID Number (####-#### or ##-####-####) (same as UCI, visible on GCKey / ‘-’ in UCI are important)

Q) Alias

Q) *What type of record would you like to request?

A) Family Class, Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class or Refugee Sponsorship

Q) *Specify the type of file you are requesting:

A) Immigration file (i.e. information that belong to the sponsored person(s))

Q) *Which specific information are you looking for?

A) Status Update of File/Reasons for Refusal/Officer’s Electronic Notes

Q) *File Number(s) (same as Application Number or Case Number, visible on GCKey)

Q) Use the space below to provide relevant information to help IRCC process your request (maximum 500 characters).

A) Requesting Electronic Case file for <Principal Applicant’s Full Name>’s SPOUSAL SPONSORSHIP FILE : <Your File Number>

STEP 5: (Attach Documents) - {SAMPLE}

- Upload scanned copy of signed and dated Consent Form in ‘Consent’ section prepared in Step 1.

- Upload scanned copy of Sponsor’s Canadian Identity document (i.e. Passport/PR Card) in “Other Documents (optional)” section.

- Files can be in PDF, JPG, TIFF, PNG, DOC or DOCX format.

- Each file size must not exceed 2 MB (two megabytes).

Once both files are uploaded, Press “Continue” button (blue) at bottom.

STEP 6: (Review and Validate) - {SAMPLE}

- Before submitting your form, you will have the option to “Review and Validate” your information. Go through it and modify anything which you want to modify.

- Once satisfied, Check box ✓ next to “I certify that the information provided is true and wish to submit this request” and Press “Continue” button (blue).

STEP 7: (Payment)

- You will be shown PAYMENT instructions stating ‘Act’ and ‘Cost’. {SAMPLE}

- Get a payment information ready and then Press “Proceed to Secure Checkout” button (blue).

- Choose your “Payment Method” - You can use VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Visa Debit, JCB or INTERAC Online. {SAMPLE}

- Follow all the payment instructions according to your chosen payment method. {SAMPLE}

- Your payment will be given Order ID and upon successful payment, will be tied to your ATIP Request.

- Once payment is APPROVED, you will be redirected back to ATIP website with all the payment details. Make sure it states “Your payment has been APPROVED”

- You can View Receipt. {SAMPLE}

- This receipt have also been emailed to you in PDF format from noreply-atip-aiprp@cic.gc.ca

• • • THAT’S IT! CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WHICH INCLUDES YOUR TRACKING NUMBER.

    • THESE REQUESTS ARE USUALLY PROCESSED WITHIN 30 CALENDAR DAYS.

    • YOUR NOTES WILL ARRIVE FROM IRCC.ATIP-AIPRP.IRCC@cic.gc.ca AS PDF FILE

    • NOTES WILL BE REDACTED AND IN NON-SEARCHABLE FORMAT.

    • IF YOUR REQUEST HAVE PASSED 31 CALENDAR DAYS, YOU CAN SUBMIT A STATUS REQUEST WITH YOUR TRACKING NUMBER AT ATIP-AIPRP@cic.gc.ca