FAQ

What is CAIPS?

CAIPS stands for Computer Assisted Immigration System. It is part of the Electronic Data Processing (EDP) system used by the Canadian Immigration offices to process visa applications outside Canada.

What is FOSS?

FOSS stands for Field Operational Support System. It is part of the Electronic Data Processing (EDP) system used by the Canadian Immigration offices to process visa applications insideCanada.

What is the difference between CAIPS and FOSS?

If you submitted your Canadian immigration application outside Canada, for example, in China, US, Korea or India, then you can and only can get your CAIPS file.Instead, if you submitted your Canadian immigration application inside Canada, then then you can and only can get your FOSS file.

What is Visa file?

Visa file is the physical collection of all the documents in your application. For example, your Canadian Immigration application form, your CV, your IELTS score report, etc. Most of these files are submitted by yourself. CAIPS file is a part of Visa file.

Which one do I need? Visa file or CAIPS/FOSS file only?

We suggest that you request CAIPS or FOSS notes only. Those are printed in CIC headquater office in Ottawa, therefore processing is quicker. Visa file usually only contains the documents that were provided by you and it is necessary to call for a physical file transfer and hence lengthens the processing time

Is it necessay to get my CAIPS file?

There are various situations in which we advise you to get your CAIPS file.

If you have been invited for an interview, then we strongly recommend you to get your CAIPS file to better prepare for the interview

If you feel that your application is taking much longer than usual, or you have not heard anything from the visa office for a long time, then you should consider getting your CAIPS file to check your case status.

If you have any question regarding the application or you are just curious about your application, CAIPS is what you need.

How can I obtain my CAIPS file?

Please refer to our request procedure by clicking here.

What kind of information is available in CAIPS file?

Basically, CAIPS contains your all immigration information. But the most valueable information is

1) The status of your case and required documents (received or not, valid or invalid, etc)
2) Visa officer's comments on your case
3) Quesitons that you will be asked in the interview (if an interview is required)

Why CAIPS file is useful?

Because CAIPS file contains valuable information your need to know.

When CAIPS file is useful?

You are preparing for an interview
You want know the status of your Canadian Immigration application

Preparing for Interview

Most, if not all interviews have a specific topic or concern. For example, sometimes the interviewers want to know your financial capacity, sometimes they are interested in your language capacity, etc. All of these concerns will be recorded clearly in the CAIPS file through officers' comments on your file. Hence, to know what will be asked in the interview in advance is very significant. You can prepare for the target question in advance.

If you are invited to take a interview, we strongly recommend you to obtain your CAIPS file as part of your preparation for the interview.

Application Status

If you want to monitor the status of your Canadian Immigration, then CAIPS is the ideal choice for your.

Especially, if you application takes unusual long time and you want to know what happend in your application, you can get to know your applicaiton status by obtaining your CAIPS file.

Occationally, delays are caused your visa office or others. For example, sometimes you may not receive the letter from the visa office which requires for additional documents, etc. By reading your CAIPS file, you can know what happened.

Additionally, visa office often request some kind of documents. You may have submitted it but it may not what the office needs, either the content or the format. In this case, the visa office will wait for your document and they do not issue letter of notification frequently.

Where do you obtain CAIPS? Buffalo, Beijing, or other consulate?

The short answer is: Ottawa. We obtain your CAIPS file directly from CIC headquater in Ottawa.

I submitted my application in China/India/South Korea.... Are you able to get my CAIPS file?

Yes. As aforementioned, we obtain your CAIPS directly from CIC headquater in Ottawa. It doesn't matter where you submitted your Canadian Immigration application.

I am the principle applicant, may I get the CAIPS file myself?

No. You are not entitled to get it.

How long does it to get my CAIPS file?

From three weeks (at least) to 36 business days (at most).

What is the difference between CAIPS and CIC's e-client service?

CAIPS contains much more information than the information e-client does. In most cases, CIC's e-client only contains no more than three lins information while a typic CAIPS file has 7 pages.

What do I need to obtain my CAIPS file?

The only required document is IMM5476B form. Please fill in that form, sign and return it with your payment.

What is the your process to get my CAIPS file?

We will send out your CAIPS file request within 2 days by Canada Post surface mail. If you prefer to expediate the process by using courier service, please include additional express mail fee in your payment.

Is it legal?

Absolutely! Everything we take is strictly follows Canadian laws & regulations.

I have asked my immigration consulant/lawyer. Why he/she does not know CAIPS?

It's normal. Many immigration consulants or immigration lawyers are not aware of it.

I don't have the File Number. Can I still request my CAIPS file?

Yes, you can. But in this case, it is not guaranteed that your CAIPS file can be obtained.

Will the request of my CAIPS file delay my Canadian Immigration application anyway?

Absolutely no. To request your CAIPS file does not affect the processing of your Canadian Immigration application becase, as aforementioned, we request your CAIPS file file directly from CIC headquater in Ottawa while your application is processed in approxiate Consulate or Embassy. In short, immigration officers in the Consulate or Embassy who review your application do not know your request.

Actually, by knowing information problem in your application (say, lack of required document) and resolving it in advance, it will obviously expedite the process of your application.

I have hired a lawyer for my Canadian Immigration application and he is my Canadian Immigration representative. I notice you asked me to have you as my Canada representative. Can I still use your service?

Yes, you can. We are only entitled to obtain your CAIPS file for you. It does not alter any existed contractional relationship between you and your Canadian Immigration lawyer or representative.

What's your refund policy?

Please refer to Refund Policy here.

Do you provide consulting service?

Yes we do. Please contact us for details.

Does it need professional knowledge to interpret what does CAIPS file say?

It depends.

If you read the sample CAIPS file in our website, you will find that CAIPS file contains two kind of information:

1) Plain English.

Immigration officers' comments are recorded in plain English. So you can read this part without any difficulty

2) CAIPS codes Language

Some imformation is recorded as the format of CAIPS codes. Unlike plain English, you may find difficulty when reading information written by CAIPS codes.

Do you provide interpretation service?

Yes, we do.

How can I interpret CAIPS codes myself?

We are to offer self-interpret help very soon. You may need to pay for the help.

Does it secure to pay online?

We accept credit card payment through PayPal. Founded in 1998, PayPal, an eBay Company, is a worldwide leader in online payment processing. PayPal uses SSL technology to keep your information safe. For more information regarding Paypal, please visit its website.

Are you a Canadian Immigration lawyer or an Immigration Consulant?

Neither. Please be advised that either lawyer or Immigration Consulant in Canada requires qualification test and approxiate background. Many individuals claim that they are lawyers or immigration consulants. To verify their information, please visit Canadian Bar Association and Canadian Society for Immigration Consultants. You may also find it useful by referring to "Who May Represent You", officially published by CIC.

What is your privacy policy?

We respect your privacy. We will not release any of your information to any third-party for any purpose. Please read Term of Service for details.