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How do we know that our background check has started?

jptskt

Hero Member
Apr 4, 2017
473
206
Category........
FAM
As the title states, how do we know that our background check has started? Will we get an email from CIC about it, or is checking our ECAS and GCKEY the only way to know?
 

HeyKenGuy

Hero Member
Mar 10, 2017
406
132
Vancouver
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Manila
App. Filed.......
04/04/2017
Doc's Request.
n/a
AOR Received.
04/27/2017
File Transfer...
06/01/2017
Med's Request
05/01/2017
Med's Done....
05/04/2017:Meds Passed 05/12/2017
if you're lucky, you will see it change status in your GCKEY
 

WeegieInOttawa

Champion Member
Jun 11, 2017
1,126
372
Ottawa
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
London (UK)
App. Filed.......
24-10-2017
AOR Received.
08-12-2017
File Transfer...
24-01-2018
Med's Request
11-12-2017
Med's Done....
02-01-2018
There is no real way to know.. You just have to wait to go through the stages, which happen at different times for everyone. Same order yes, but timelines vary.

Your first step would be an acknowledgement of receipt then a sponsor approval then it would go from there. Any particular aspect of the check you are wondering about?
 

jptskt

Hero Member
Apr 4, 2017
473
206
Category........
FAM
There is no real way to know.. You just have to wait to go through the stages, which happen at different times for everyone. Same order yes, but timelines vary.

Your first step would be an acknowledgement of receipt then a sponsor approval then it would go from there. Any particular aspect of the check you are wondering about?
Yah i am aware of those stuff. I am an early June 2017 applicant. I just wasn't sure if there's an official way to know whether CIC has started the background check or not.
 
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jptskt

Hero Member
Apr 4, 2017
473
206
Category........
FAM
if you're lucky, you will see it change status in your GCKEY
Thanks. I guess that means checking our GCKEY account regularly is the only way to know. It's just a bit annoying cuz it takes me 5-6 tries ( at times even more) to log into my gckey account and see my information. Don't know if this happens to others as well or if it's just me.
 
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KandyK

Hero Member
Feb 9, 2017
686
202
Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
CPC Mississauga
App. Filed.......
13-03-2017
Doc's Request.
O4-04-2017
AOR Received.
28-03-2017
File Transfer...
05/10/2017
Med's Request
19/07/2017
Med's Done....
03/08/2017
LANDED..........
10/19/2017
Thanks. I guess that means checking our GCKEY account regularly is the only way to know. It's just a bit annoying cuz it takes me 5-6 tries ( at times even more) to log into my gckey account and see my information. Don't know if this happens to others as well or if it's just me.
Welcome to my world. This is so damn annoying sighs. At least 5 times to log in...... :(
 
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07292015

Star Member
Aug 20, 2016
146
31
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Singapore
App. Filed.......
23-05-2017
AOR Received.
22-06-2017
File Transfer...
18-07-2017
Med's Request
25-10-2017
Med's Done....
02-11-2017
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
08/03/2018
VISA ISSUED...
04/04/2018
LANDED..........
27/05/2018
i use 'roboform' extension for chrome to auto login into ECAS and GCKEY site. quick and easy
 
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MM345

VIP Member
Sep 20, 2016
7,000
1,069
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06-09-16
Doc's Request.
None
AOR Received.
20-09-16
File Transfer...
27-09-16
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
08-08-16
Interview........
None
Passport Req..
18-05-17
VISA ISSUED...
05-06-17
LANDED..........
15-06-17
Is it possible to get dm without bgc ever going in process?
Oh yes. Mycic is notorious for being updated very late. I got my PPR on gckey account and BGC had not gone in process at all!
 
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majesty

Hero Member
Feb 10, 2017
782
241
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Mexico
App. Filed.......
25-01-2017
AOR Received.
23-02-2017 (AOR 1); 26-05-2017 (AOR2)
File Transfer...
13/03/2017
Med's Done....
30-07-2016 (Passed)
Yah i am aware of those stuff. I am an early June 2017 applicant. I just wasn't sure if there's an official way to know whether CIC has started the background check or not.
Like others have said, they are supposed to update this information on GCKey account. However, as to when they do it depends on who is working on your case at the VO. Sometimes people don't get the update until right before they get DM or not at all. Hopefully whatever Visa officer has your application is diligent with doing updates.

They had requested our RCMP fingerprint certificate over two months ago and we sent it in right away, however, the request has not been entered into the GCKey account at all, so the officers working on my app aren't good about updating and I pretty much gave checking on updates on GCKey and eCAS. Next thing that will show up will be DM, whenever that will be.

Since it's still early on for you (only been 3 or 4 months) with processing, you will likely have to wait a bit longer, depending on which VO your app has been sent to and how straightforward your case is.

Good luck!