Seeing an IRCC background check marked as “in progress” can raise a lot of questions. What exactly is IRCC checking? Does it mean something is wrong with your application? And how long will it take before the status changes?

Background verification is a normal part of many Canadian immigration applications. IRCC explains that it uses this stage to determine whether an applicant is admissible to Canada. In the application status tracker, background verification is one of the areas that may be shown alongside eligibility, medical exams and biometrics.

Understanding what this status means can make it easier to follow your application without reading too much into every change—or lack of change—in your online account.

What Is an IRCC Background Check?

An IRCC background check is part of the process used to determine whether there are reasons an applicant may be inadmissible to Canada.

Depending on the application and individual circumstances, the assessment can involve criminality, security and other background information. For example, IRCC uses police certificates to determine whether an applicant has a criminal record and to help assess admissibility.

Background verification should not be confused with an IRCC eligibility review. Eligibility focuses on whether you meet the requirements of the immigration program or application you applied under. Background verification focuses on admissibility-related considerations.

What Does IRCC Check During a Background Check?

There is no single checklist that applies identically to every applicant. The information reviewed depends on the immigration program and the applicant’s circumstances.

IRCC may use information and documents provided with your application, including identity information and police certificates. Passports and travel documents can also contain information such as biographical details, visas and entry or exit stamps.

Applicants should therefore make sure the information throughout their application is complete and consistent.

For some permanent residence applications, IMM 5669 Schedule A provides detailed background information about the applicant, including personal history. Your previous addresses, employment, education and other declared activities can form an important part of the information IRCC has available when assessing an application.

Is a Background Check the Same as Security Screening?

Not exactly.

“Background verification” is the broader status applicants may see in the IRCC application status tracker. IRCC describes this stage as checking an applicant’s background to make sure they are admissible to Canada.

Security-related assessment is a more specific part of determining admissibility. Our guide explaining how immigration security checks work looks more closely at this separate part of Canadian immigration processing.

Similarly, criminality and security are related concepts but are not interchangeable. A criminality assessment considers issues such as criminal records, while security concerns are assessed under separate inadmissibility provisions.

Why Are Police Certificates Important?

Police certificates help IRCC establish whether you have a criminal record and whether there may be criminal inadmissibility concerns.

For permanent residence and Canadian citizenship applications, applicants and relevant family members generally need police certificates. IRCC may also request one from someone applying as a visitor, student or temporary worker. Requirements vary according to the application and individual circumstances.

If you are concerned about how a previous conviction could affect an application, our guide to obtaining and using a criminal record for a Canada visa explains the subject in more detail.

A police certificate by itself does not necessarily represent the entire background verification process.

Does IRCC Check Your Travel History?

Travel information can help establish where you have lived or travelled and whether the information across your application is consistent.

Some applicants are required to provide detailed travel information. IMM 5562 Travel History, officially called Supplementary Information: Your Travels, is one example of a form that may be required depending on the immigration program.

Applicants should provide information accurately and follow the instructions for their specific application. Dates and locations should also be checked against passports and other records where possible.

If IRCC needs clarification or further evidence during processing, it may contact you rather than expecting you to guess what additional information might be useful.

What Does “Background Verification In Progress” Mean?

If your tracker shows background verification as “In progress,” IRCC says this simply means it is still reviewing that section of your application.

The current tracker can display several statuses:

• Not started — IRCC has not started reviewing that section.
• Waiting on you — IRCC needs information or documents from you.
• In progress — IRCC is still reviewing the section.
• Completed — IRCC has finished reviewing the section.
• Exempted — that section is not required for your application.

An “in progress” background check therefore does not, by itself, indicate a problem.

Does an IRCC Background Check Mean Your Application Is Almost Approved?

Not necessarily.

A background check is only one part of application processing. For example, the current IRCC application status tracker separately identifies eligibility, medical exams, background verification and biometrics.

For Express Entry permanent residence applications, IRCC states that its decision is based on whether the applicant is eligible for the program and admissible to Canada based on matters including medical exams, police certificates and background checks.

The fact that one stage has started—or even finished—should therefore not be treated as confirmation that the overall application will be approved.

How Long Does an IRCC Background Check Take?

There is no single published background-check timeframe that applies to every Canadian immigration application.

The time required can depend on the application, the information being assessed and whether IRCC needs anything further. Applicants should therefore be cautious about unofficial timelines claiming that a background check always takes a particular number of days or weeks.

Instead, check the official IRCC processing-time information for your application type and monitor your account for messages. IRCC notes that its processing-time tool provides an indication of how long it currently takes to process most applications.

Processing times and procedures can change, so check the official IRCC website for the latest information.

Why Can a Background Check Take Longer?

Applications do not all require the same amount of review. A background-verification status remaining unchanged does not automatically indicate a negative issue.

Processing may also require IRCC to obtain clarification or additional information. If something further is required from you, IRCC can place the relevant section in a “Waiting on you” status and provide instructions under “Your next steps.”

Depending on the application, IRCC may ask for documents or actions such as police certificates, passports, fees or biometrics. If you receive a request, follow the instructions and deadline provided rather than submitting unrelated evidence.

Can You Check the Status of Your Background Check?

You can check the information IRCC makes available for your application through the appropriate online status service or account.

The method depends on what you applied for and, in some cases, how you submitted your application. IRCC’s status systems can show application updates and messages, while some trackers provide the status of individual application stages.

You should not assume that a lack of visible updates means IRCC has stopped working on the application.

IRCC also states that its Client Support Centre agents generally cannot provide processing updates beyond the information available through the online systems or tell you exactly how much longer your application will take.

Can GCMS Notes Tell You More About a Background Check?

Applicants sometimes request GCMS notes when they want more information about the processing of their immigration application.

These records can provide information recorded in the case-management system, but they should not be treated as a real-time tracker. The information you receive reflects the records available within the scope and timing of the request.

If your online status simply says that background verification is in progress, requesting records also does not guarantee that you will receive a precise completion date.

What Happens If IRCC Finds a Concern?

What happens next depends on the nature of the issue.

IRCC may request additional documents or information where clarification is required. In other circumstances, an issue may affect whether an applicant is considered admissible to Canada.

It is important to respond carefully to any official request and by the deadline provided. Do not send speculative documents simply because your background status has remained in progress unless IRCC asks for them or there is a legitimate reason to update your application.

IRCC provides mechanisms for applicants to submit requested documents and to update an application with new information where appropriate.

What Happens After the IRCC Background Check Is Completed?

“Completed” means IRCC has finished reviewing that section of the application. It does not necessarily mean that a final decision will appear immediately.

Other requirements may still need to be completed or assessed. Once IRCC has finished the necessary processing, it will communicate its decision through the appropriate account or process.

For Express Entry, for example, IRCC states that applicants are informed through their secure account once a decision is made.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Background Verification

While applicants cannot control IRCC’s internal processing, they can reduce avoidable problems by making sure their information is accurate.

Common issues to avoid include:

• leaving unexplained gaps where complete history is requested;
• providing dates that conflict across forms without explanation;
• omitting required police certificates;
• overlooking IRCC messages or document requests;
• failing to update IRCC when relevant information changes;
• assuming that “in progress” means the application has a problem.

The most important approach is consistency. Information about your identity, addresses, work, education and travel should accurately reflect your circumstances and match supporting evidence where required.

Where to Go Next

If you are trying to understand where your application is in the review process, these Canada GMC resources explain related stages and documents:

• IRCC eligibility review
• How immigration security checks work
• GCMS notes
• IMM 5669 Schedule A
• IMM 5562 Travel History
• Criminal record