I had same questions...I checked with one very helpful senior member here... he mentioned the following:Hello every one
I have got my AOR on April 04 2018 but still there is no update. first of all how to check the status of the application, Do i get update in Application Messages. Kindly help me out here. I have Applied under FSW got ITA on March 14 2018. I did get a mail on April 13 2018 saying that my application has been updated but could not see trace that in my profile.
These stages are known by checking profile over the time. You will not receive any email or notification about these.
When you Background Checks says:
Not Applicable - this is NA1
after that it will say Your application is in progress or Next step is to conduct BG Check - this is IP1
Not Applicable again - this is NA2
We are processing your background - this is IP2
usually, it stays in IP2 till the file is approved but can move to NA3 in very rare instances.
I hope this will help.