PMM

Hi

CIC has announced that there will be a new simplified procedure as 01/09/06 for skilled worker and business class applicants EXCEPT for Buffalo.

Basically the applicant will submit the application and fees with no supporting documents. Once the application is ready for the Initial Assessment, CIC will then request the supporting documents, proof of education, PCCs, etc within 4 months. They will not accept any updates until the request for documents, except for change of address.

You may wish to read the FAQ at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applica...aq-simple.html

One interesting thought, is that is quite likely that very few will hire a consultant or lawyer to aid with the application until it reaches the IA stage. Lean times for the next couple of years.

The statement that

"Under this process, you submit only a basic application form and fee. This guarantees your place in the processing queue, meaning that the regulations in effect on that date will apply to your application. "

Does it mean if the points change they are not going to enforce Reg. 79?

Also see: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applica...ed-simple.html for the new application package.

PMM

Andrew Miller

It will also likely result in much longer processing times as everybody will try to take a chance now without really being qualified or ready to apply... :scared:

And maybe it is the prelude to the moratorium on new applications to be introduced later - this way more have a chance to get into the queue and CIC will be able to better assess if and how to implement moratorium if and when needed

Andrew Miller

Answer to Question 13 is interesting though:

"Q13: Will this initiative reduce processing times?

No. However, the simplified application process will reduce the amount of information applicants need to submit when they apply while still securing them a place in the queue, and they will not have to send supporting documents twice."

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PMM

Hi

Also one of the reasons given was to reduce storage space, well in 3 years or so, whatever the processing times, all the supporting documents will arrive and that will use up the same amount of storage space. I really think that there is something else going on here with CIC, you almost think that there is a "hidden agenda", but then again I always liked conspiracy theories.

It should be interesting to see if London CHC will "toe the line" or wander off on it's own version of the processing.
Also there is an interesting statement
"have a legal status in the United States and are submitting your application through the Canadian visa office in Buffalo." So if you don't have legal status, you use the simplified application for Buffalo? or will Buffalo refuse to process where the applicant doesn't have status?

Andrew Miller

And this process will also allow us practitioners to submit case as soon as client retains us, instead of months later after client provides us with all required documents. This will remove urgency from collection process and allow for better preparation in many cases.

I only wonder how the request for supporting evidence will look. It cannot be more specific than generic checklists used now as there is absolutely no way for officer to list case and cisrumstances specific documents before evaluating basic supporting evidence, before making initial assessment.

Looks like CIC will simply send request like "Your case is ready for assessment. Please send us all supporting documents as per checklist".

Nobody will really touch applications submitted under simplified process before supporting evidence is received as such action will be illogical and add to the backlog and processing times.

Seems that simply file will be created upon receipt of simplified package and application will not be checked if it meets the definition of application. This will save some resources in visa posts. Then file will be put in assessment queue - once it's time for assessment comes applicant will receive request for supporting documents and only after such is received assessment process will start.

We'll have to wait and see...

Andrew Miller

Fact that visa posts will be returning supporting documents submitted with applications received after Sep 1st indicates that storage capacity is full already. This way visa posts will gradually clear space when assessing existing applications as after scanning all into the system paper documents will not be kept anyway.

Looks that backlog is much bigger than we were let to believe. And seems CIC clearly expects processing times to get longer if they don't want to keep outdated documents for years before they can start assessment.

anona?

PMM, Mr. Miller,

This new process will not affect that ones that was already in queue, right? For example, I've filed my application last year (May 05) and now my file was transferred from Buffalo to Seattle.

Seems to me that CIC will only "collect" money in advance by way of accepting the unrefundable application fee. Do you think they're that NEEDY? Good for them, too bad for the applicants.

Andrew Miller

Already pending applications and those received prior to Sep 1st 2006 will not be affected.

Andrew Miller

All who want to submit applications under new process hoping that they can improve their chances while waiting for documents request are here for big shock!!!

The guide http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/ESap.pdf on page 9 states in the bold framed text that applicant must meet all criteria at the time of application. Including funds.

Same warning is on the first page of application form.

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Andrew Miller

Everyone should read the following:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applica...s-skilled.html

Clear indication that nothing will change with assessment process (initial assessment, interview decision and request for case specific evidence, etc. all remains in place) and processing times will not be reduced by this process.

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Andrew Miller

And as final note of this initial review - application forms are not yet made Acrobat fillable.
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JAJ

Since 1 May 2003, I didn't think Buffalo was accepting any kind of application from those without legal U.S. status.

Non-U.S. citizens living legally in Canada or the U.S. will still be able to submit a simplified application to the CIC office serving their home country, or a regular application to Buffalo.

Does this mean that processing times may get shorter in Buffalo vs the rest of the world?

Andrew Miller

Processing times will for now only get longer, including in Buffalo....

Andrew Miller

Yes, quite good observation, although it won't affect American and Canadian markets that are almost exclusively serviced by qualified and authorized practitioners based in Canada.

But it may finally be a deadly blow to most of unqualified "experts" who are not authorized immigration practitioners and who are providing their shady services in markets mainly in Asia and Middle East. CIC and CSIC failed so far in their promises to eliminate gray market "experts" who are not qualified and this new process may actually achieve what absence of real effort couldn't.


I believe that you meant R76, not R79.

I don't think that the statement you quoted makes any changes or even promises - as always CIC says that their website and guides are not the source of legal info and all should always revert to IRPA and It's Regulations for the letter of law.

"..regulations in effect on that date will apply to your application" means that R76 will also apply.

Just my 2 pennies...

Andrew Miller

CHC London wanders off established procedures really only with fast track process for applicants with arranged employment (and of course with accepting real estate equity as proof of funds at the time of application, but it is irrelevant here).

New simplified processing doesn't apply to applicants who are eligible for points in Arranged Employment factor. So, I don't see much room for new "wandering of" in London.

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