CAIPS is an effective method of monitoring the immigration process, otherwise concealed. It allows to retrieve complete information from the immigration file being processed at any given time.

What is CAIPS

CAIPS stands for Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System. This system is used for processing all immigration cases in the overseas visa offices. It is not used to process cases in Canada.

CAIPS is used not only to process applications for permanent residence (“immigration applications”), but also to process applications for study permits, work permits and temporary resident visas.

Complete report obtained from the system is usually called “CAIPS notes”, “CAIPS report”, or just “CAIPS”. It includes a number of encoded parameters as well as plain text comments of the visa officers. With some practice it is possible to reconstruct the entire process up to date.

There is a variety of information in the CAIPS file, such as officer's notes, medical assessment results, awarded immigration points, concerns to be addressed, requests and documents mailed to applicants etc.

How to receive a CAIPS report

As set out in the Privacy Act and Access to Information Act, information from the immigration file must be released to the applicant at his request.

Another provisions limit the disclosure in such a way that only persons in Canada or Canadian Citizens abroad can receive this information. This forces the applicants to use third-party services or ask friends or relatives in Canada to order CAIPS report on their behalf.

Examples of CAIPS usage

There are numerous scenarios when CAIPS report may be useful. Some typical situations are:

• The application under the Federal Skilled Worker class is being processed for very long time. No requests were received by applicant from the visa office. No clear explanation is provided in response to written requests about case status. Ordering CAIPS report can reveal the reason for the delay..

• The applicant received an invitation for the selection interview in the immigration case. CAIPS report should contain complete list of all concerns to be addressed during the interview. The applicant therefore can be well prepared for it.

• The applicant was refused to be issued the temporary resident visa, but is determined to apply again. CAIPS report can show the reason for refusal, that can be addressed by the applicant in his subsequent application.