GCMS Notes for Work Permit

GCMS notes for a work permit show how the officer assessed your application, including LMIA verification (if applicable), employer details, job offer evaluation, and your current processing stage. Whether you hold an LMIA-based work permit, an open work permit, or an Intra-Company Transfer, GCMS notes reveal the officer’s actual assessment and any concerns they noted.

What Do GCMS Notes Show for a Work Permit?

Work permit GCMS notes document every assessment the officer performed on your file. You see whether the officer verified your LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) and found it valid, how the officer evaluated your employer and the job offer, whether your qualifications matched the position requirements, the status of any background and security checks, and whether any concerns about your admissibility or eligibility were flagged.

Because work permits involve employer-side verification as well as applicant assessment, GCMS notes often reveal issues on both sides. For example, the notes might show that the officer had questions about the employer’s legitimacy or the wage offered, in addition to your own qualifications.

Types of Work Permits and What GCMS Notes Reveal

LMIA-Based Work Permits

If your work permit requires an LMIA, GCMS notes show whether the officer verified the LMIA number, confirmed the employer details, and cross-checked the job offer against the approved LMIA terms. Any discrepancies between the LMIA and your application appear in the notes.

Open Work Permits

For open work permits (including spousal open work permits and post-graduation work permits), the notes focus on eligibility verification. Officers check whether you meet the specific requirements for the open work permit category you applied under.

Intra-Company Transfers

ICT work permit notes show whether the officer confirmed the qualifying relationship between the foreign and Canadian entities, your role at the foreign company, and the specialized knowledge or executive capacity you bring. These assessments are detailed because ICT applications involve complex corporate documentation.

Common Reasons for Work Permit Refusals

Work permit refusals often stem from LMIA discrepancies (where the actual job does not match the approved LMIA terms), insufficient proof that you meet the qualifications listed in the job offer, concerns about the employer’s genuineness, or questions about your intent to leave Canada when the permit expires. GCMS notes show which of these factors the officer weighed and how they reached their decision.

How GCMS Notes Help After a Work Permit Refusal

After a refusal, the generic letter from IRCC gives you almost nothing to work with. GCMS notes, on the other hand, provide the officer’s specific reasoning. You see exactly which documents or claims they found insufficient, so you and your employer can address those issues directly in a new application. For guidance on next steps after reviewing your notes, see our page on what to do after receiving GCMS notes.

How to Order GCMS Notes for a Work Permit

Visit gcmsnotesrequest.ca, select your service, and complete the ordering process. It takes about 5 minutes, and your notes arrive as a PDF within 15 to 35 days. For the detailed walkthrough, read our guide on how to apply for GCMS notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Answers About Your Work Permit

Whether your work permit is delayed or was refused, GCMS notes show you the officer’s actual assessment. Order your GCMS notes at gcmsnotesrequest.ca and see exactly what happened with your application.