Enhanced / Comprehensive is essentially the same thing.
A Comprehensive Check for Canada
A comprehensive check is a more thorough security check conducted by all screening partners, especially the CBSA, but also other intelligence agencies.
- If the case official at the CPC in Canada (or the Immigration Program Manager when the application originates at a Canadian mission overseas) suspects that the applicant is inadmissible, then they have to request a comprehensive check.
- A comprehensive check is also the preferred option when screening applications for permanent resident from overseas, but in some cases a Record check will be deemed sufficient for outland applications.
- Because it involves sharing information between agencies it generally takes longer to do a comprehensive check compared with a record check.
In other words,
if it has been 2 or more months since your application passed its eligibility review but it is still being screened for security, then the application is most likely
undergoing a comprehensive check due to admissibility concerns.
Please note as well that for permanent residence applications originating overseas rather than an IRCC official at a Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Canada initiating the request, it will instead come from an Immigration Program Manager at a Canadian mission (an embassy, consulate, or high commission) overseas.
Section of IRPA | GCMS Screening Values | Criteria | Case gets sent to |
Section 34 – IRPA | Record Check | Most inland PR applications | CSIS |
Section 34 – IRPA | Comprehensive Check | Inland or Overseas applications that meet one or more of the following:
- Applicant subject to review due to section 34 of IRPA
- Applicant meets 1 or more indicators listed in IC 2
- Officer suspects applicant inadmissible under Section 34(1) – IRPA
| CBSA, CSIS |