Background Check Explanation

[JoacRy]

Hi, from reading this forum I can see quite a few people who submitted applications are at different stage of the process. One of the most commonly questioned items is the background check. Taking my lead from the thread 'BG went from Not Needed' to 'Not Started', I decided to do my own research and here is what I found. Btw, the source of my research is the 'Question Mark' symbol near the 'BG check' description after you have submitted. The below is CIC information:

We need to verify criminal, security and/or other background information to ensure admissibility to Canada.
Review of background information may be Not started, Not needed at this time, In progress or Complete

Not needed at this time means we have not yet received an application for permanent residence. You need an invitation to apply before you can submit an application for permanent residence.

Not started means that we have not begun the review of background information.

In progress means that we have begun the review of background information.

If we require a document from you to complete this review, please upload it in your document checklist so we can continue to process your application.

Complete means that we have completed the review of background information.

For me, the concerning this about this is I am at 'Not Needed at this time' which according to the CIC definition means that I have not submitted an application for Permanent Residence. But I know I have because I have an AOR to prove it, my Medicals have passed and my BG was 'In Progress' for 8 days or so.

To further complicate things I have never had a request for additional documents. I'm very confused and don't know what to think.

I welcome any comments from anyone, and to those in a similar position to myself, I hope I have given you at least a little bit of clarity.

 

[Doda]

I firmly believe that Not Needed at This Time indicades that the background check is PAUSED or is in progress but with a different dept./CPC for different reasons. I'm in the same boat and as the rest it only changed to In Progress few days before PPR. This is my explanation because in is IMPOSSIBLE they didn't receive my application, also it is IMPOSSIBLE that all my background check only took 8 days to complete. Due to the terrible design of the online system, the only option to indicate that we are working on your application but at a different dept. or your application has passed but waiting for other check to complete or other unknown reasons, the only option is to either leave it as in progress, which is the case with 80% of the applicants here or change it to not needed at this time. The third Not Started option isn't applicable as they alreday begun the process of background checking.

My definition of Not needed at this thime is one of the following:

- Your background check is done but waiting for other check to be done to finalise your application.
- Your application needs further documents to complete.
- Your security/criminality check will be completed by another CIC office or your home security check is pending or late.

will know more once I get my GMCS notes in 2 weeks.

Happy to continue the discussion.

Tl; dr, Not needed at this time is wrongly defined by CIC

 

[JoacRy]

Thank you @Doda for your reply. My thoughts about CIC definition of 'Not Needed at this Time' is the same as yours. If we both got AOR there is no way they can say our application is not received.

Can you please indicate your timeline and/or category? I'm just trying to determine when I need to order GCMS notes or at least what is the best time to order them. Thanks for your clarification as well. This morning when I read CIC's definition I was very upset and went back to check and re-check that I had submitted and CIC received my submitted application.

Look forward to your reply.

 

[smtele]

As I see it:

phase 0 (before ITA)
not needed at this time

phase 1 (after AOR, this is when the application is under process)
a) not needed at this time -> not started -> not needed at this time OR
b) not needed at this time -> in progress -> not needed at this time

phase 2 (PPR, decision made)
not needed at this time -> in progress

phase 3
complete
---

Btw, I have seen phase 1 (a) happen more to inland/US applicants, and some applications can jump from phase 0 -> phase 2.

 

[JoacRy]

As I see it:

Before ITA:
not needed at this time

phase 1 (after AOR, this is when the application is under process)
a) not needed at this time -> not started -> not needed at this time OR
b) not needed at this time -> in progress -> not needed at this time

phase 2 (PPR)
not needed at this time -> in progress

phase 3
complete
---

Btw, I have seen phase 1 (a) happen to more to inland applicants/US applicants

Thanks for your reply. Is it better to have 1a or 1b? Mine looks like 1b. Will 1 lead to faster processing than the other?

Appreciate your opinion on this.

 

[smtele]

Thanks for your reply. Is it better to have 1a or 1b? Mine looks like 1b.

Appreciate your opinion on this.

I don't think one is better than the other. Both imply that your application is under process.

 

[Doda]

Thank you @Doda for your reply. My thoughts about CIC definition of 'Not Needed at this Time' is the same as yours. If we both got AOR there is no way they can say our application is not received.

Can you please indicate your timeline and/or category? I'm just trying to determine when I need to order GCMS notes or at least what is the best time to order them. Thanks for your clarification as well. This morning when I read CIC's definition I was very upset and went back to check and re-check that I had submitted and CIC received my submitted application.

Look forward to your reply.

Your welcome. I really should place my time line somewhere visible

FSW inland
Sept. 10: AOR
Dec. 18: Meds passed/ BG in progress
Dec. 22: BG not needed at this time
Feb. 15: RPRF request
Feb. 22: PPR

As you can see, there were ZERO activities for nearly 3.5 months after AOR. By mid October I started giving up on the application. I thought it was lost in transmission or something. The AOR and the open application status were the only comfort I found during that time. Also I never had my ECAS activated before the shut down. So I was literally in the dark for a long period.

My point is to relax and forget about it. Worrying won't make it move faster. Worrying will only deprive you from having a great life.

 

[prcand]

Almost same boat as you since there is practically ZERO activity for my application for around 3 months as well. Did you ever contemplate to order GCMS notes?

Your welcome. I really should place my time line somewhere visible

FSW inland
Sept. 10: AOR
Dec. 18: Meds passed/ BG in progress
Dec. 22: BG not needed at this time
Feb. 15: RPRF request
Feb. 22: PPR

As you can see, there were ZERO activities for nearly 3.5 months after AOR. By mid October I started giving up on the application. I thought it was lost in transmission or something. The AOR and the open application status were the only comfort I found during that time. Also I never had my ECAS activated before the shut down. So I was literally in the dark for a long period.

My point is to relax and forget about it. Worrying won't make it move faster. Worrying will only deprive you from having a great life.

 

[Doda]

Almost same boat as you since there is practically ZERO activity for my application for around 3 months as well. Did you ever contemplate to order GCMS notes?

Yes. 10 days before PPR
Never got them yet. Hopefully they will be complete to have the whole picture of the process to elaborate more on the chane of status.
If you want you can order yours now. No harm will be done, but might not say much.

 

[3RSN]

When "A background check is needed" went into "In Progress" what does it mean exactly ??? can anyone elaborate it ???? Thank You

 

[sameer_mobin]

I have the same query.

my background directly changed from "Not Needed At This Time" to "In Progress".

please do lemme know.

I am PNP applicant.

 

[RabinJi]

My background check is in progress since June 30 after that no changes..................AOR June 13.

 

[AmirHNK]

Yes. 10 days before PPR
Never got them yet. Hopefully they will be complete to have the whole picture of the process to elaborate more on the chane of status.
If you want you can order yours now. No harm will be done, but might not say much.

Did you receive your GCMS notes?

My BG is NN for more that 2 months. In my GCMS notes, my security check is "Not Started". I am wondering if the security may be ongoing or not. I would appreciate it if you can tell me about the state of your security check from GCMS notes while your BG was NA and then turned into IP before PPR.

 

[diaaali]

When the background check start ..