I want to suggest to CIC offices to post the current processing case in their websites. I don't think we need detailed information, a simple one will do. For example, CIC Sydney could post something like "From 1 November 2005, we have started to process application from August 1979".

Anybody knows the best way to suggest this?
dididk

Yeah good idea.....that would save them alot of time AND money sending out letters to everyone (At least for us Sydney applicants.......still haven't got that letter btw)

Yes, but to do so, they will first need to do a five year, 5 million dollar feasibility study. If the results are positive, they will refer the matter to committee and pay seven million dollars to a consultant to study how to post the information in the best manner. Finally, in 2017, they will post the processing the processing news for November, 2005.

I believe it is not that complicated. In the past, certain CIC office in the US even published the number of the applications ready for visa issuance.

I think it is a good idea if everyone of us write to the minister. It might work. We need to share with him that the applicants have been kept in dark without any information for years (or at least months) before hearing any news from the CIC; and that posting a simple information such as what month-applications are in the process will certainly help the applicants during the wait. Also, posting this will not MUCH cost time and money for the CIC Offices since it is only once a month basis, and with only simple information, but it will GIVE a great benefit for the applicants. It is not a painful job since CIC offices (ie embassies) update their website very regularly. By doing this, it could stop the applicants emailing/calling the offices, which in turn taking away the visa officers' precious time.

Shall we do this? Shall we create a poll? Anybody knows minister's email address please?

didik

How do you account for the fact that there are multiple case officers processing multiple cases at a time?

Or the cases that are processing but waiting for information.

I fully agree with dear didik, that we should write to the minister, about regular updates needed at the various posts world wide. It would stop a lot of ambiguity and we would know where we stand, and know when with certainty we can expect our time to come.
Take CHC Delhi for example, we 2002 applicants have been taken or a ride three times this year, every time we felt our turn is about to come, the CHC people abruptly raised the time frames. It all started with 36 months ie Jan 2005 for the Jan 2002 cases, but in march it was raised to 42 months for the IA. Just when we were wondering when are they going to finally going to start, that they in November again raised it to 52 months. All this at will and arbitrary with out any explanation. Now these are for the older cases, when their number was well known in advance and the quotas in place.
Don't they owe us an explanation?

Pretoria CHC publishes which applications they are currently busy with but this is usually useless for two reasons. They only update the website 3 times a year and we know from fora such as this where they are before they actually get there.

a statement saying that they started processing files from month/year wouldn't help with anything since you already know when your file started to be processed (AOR date). After the IA date there are files waiting for BG check or other additional document while other files are finished. Just because you applied or received the AOR or IA before some other applicant does, doesn't mean that your file would be finalized in the same sequence.

so receiving the aor you now know that at the date you received the aor letter thay started to process files received on the date your applicaton was received. waiting for IA is still part of the application processing time (as stated on e-client)

mircea

Very correct comment mirceaf.

Each application is processed at it's own pace and with 2 years or more difference in processing timelines between applications submitted at the same time to same visa post what good it will do to know that someone is looking at your case at any given time?

It is not a one step process - there are several different tasks that must be initiated and completed, some before initial assessment and some after IA. Initial assessment can be done only when all documents and answers officer needs to make assessment are there - and here you have the first timeline difference between poorly prepared and well prepared, conclusive applications. Most poorly prepared and inconclusive cases will be assessed several months to a year or longer after IA is already done for well prepared cases. Then add to it interview queue for those who need interview, add time needed for request for additional documents and time when such are submitted (which varies greatly) and you'll have at least 2 years spread.

Remember also that difefrent officers process same number of applications assigned to them at different timeframe as some may get most of well prepared apps while others most of poorly prepared apps (randomly of course).

What good will do knowing that visa post is assessing today well prepared cases submitted let's say year ago and poorly prepared submitted 2 years ago and all others anywhere in between?

AOR is only an ackowledgement, a token that the application has been
put on the queue for processing. However, no body knows when the CIC is going to PROCESS/ASSESS the application.

Although multiple officers might handle Multiple cases at multi stages, it is still a good thing to know that the CIC has STARTED to work/assess on applications received in certain time (for example 1 Aug 2005). For myself as an example, i have no idea when the CIC will REALLY START to work on my file. If they cannot disclose the individual application, at least they can post the general information, telling that they have started to work on applications received on such and such time.

Again this is only suggestion, it is up to the forum to write or not to. For those who want to write, here is the Joe Volpe email address: [email protected].

Thanks everyone for replying.

didik

receiving AOR means that they "started to work" on your file. Although between AOR and IA/IELTS request/ may be a long period of time, somebody already took a look at your application, so they started to work.

I hope you don't expect continuous work day and night on somebody's application. It is a long process (18mths-5+ years) that has several steps, each of them separated by long time intervals.

In some cases, when application is not complete, missing signatures, AOR is not issued and application is returned. So AOR is sent after an office checks your application in order to see if all the forms are signed, etc. This is called "started to work on your file".

Mircea

Hey Didik....is your AOR Aug 2005 or 2004?? If it's 2005 we may have similar timelines........maybe! But I think your's is 2004 eh?

Lucky you Mirceaf and good luck for your CIC office. At CIC Sydney (and perhaps other CIC posts), AOR means an on the queue and will not even be looked at.

Timmo, i received my AOR in Aug 2 0 0 4.