When is CAIPS Useful?

Preparing for Interview

Learning the Status of your Application

Finding out What Will Happen Next, and When

Detecting and Resolving Processing Errors

When is CAIPS NOT Useful?

Preparing for Canada Visa Interview

If CIC calls an applicant for an interview, there is usually a specific concern, issue or ambiguity in the immigration application that the visa officer wants to address. These concerns will be detailed in the visa officers notes within the client's CAIPS file.

We strongly recommend that all Canada visa applicants who are called for interview obtain their CAIPS file as part of their preparation for the interview. CAIPS files often contain invaluable information as to the precise reasons for interview, which can relate to the applicant's employment history, education or many other factors.
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Application Status - Checking Your Application Is On Track

If you feel that there has been an unusually long time since you last heard from the visa office, you might want to get your CAIPS file to understand what the current status of your application is.

Sometimes delays are caused by heavy backlog at the visa office and, although frustrating, checking the CAIPS file at least provides reassurance that the application is on track, however slow the processing.

However, sometimes obtaining a CAIPS file following an unusual delay reveals a problem such as a letter or document, or request from CIC for some additional information, that has gone missing or been sent to an outdated address.

CIC does provide an online system for checking the status of immigration applications called e-CAS. To read more about checking the status of your immigration application visit our Application Status page.
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What Will Happen Next and When?

One of the most interesting pieces of information in a CAIPS file is the next official 'bring forward' date. This simple information line indicates where the paper file is currently located, what is the next stage of processing, and on what date (the bring forward date) it is expected to occur (see our sample CAIPS file).

Please note that the bring forward date is only a management device, and is not guaranteed. It's reliability varies from visa office to visa office. In well run visa offices, with stable backlogs, the bring forward date often provides a reliable guide to the likely timeframe for an interview, or selection decision.
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Detecting and Resolving Processing Errors

With CIC officers processing many hundreds of thousands of visa applications every year, the occasional error does slip in to a CAIPS file. Obtaining your CAIPS file allows you to check your application for such errors or omissions and to resolve them early, rather than them causing delays later on in the process when your visas are ready for issue.
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When is CAIPS NOT Useful?

At most stages of processing, there will be some information in the CAIPS file that is of use to the applicant. However, if you have just applied, it is possible that your CAIPS file is largely blank and will remain so until initial processing (also known as paper screening) takes place. However, it will show the official 'bring forward' date when CIC expects to start the next stage of processing on your file.
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