Startup Visa Program Timeline

[SUVpr]

Security 1 – In Progress​

What it likely is:​

• This typically refers to an ongoing background check by CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service), Canada’s national intelligence agency.
• CSIS checks for:
  • Involvement in espionage, subversion, terrorism, or foreign influence
  • Associations with organized crime
  • Extensive travel histories or residency in high-risk regions
  • Potential national security risks

How long does it take?​

• It varies, and CSIS does not disclose timelines, even to IRCC.
• It can take a few months to over a year, depending on your background, nationality, travel history, or red flags (even something minor can trigger further review).

Why is it important?​

• Your application cannot be approved until this check is complete.
• Even though it says “in progress,” it doesn’t mean there’s a problem — only that the file is under standard or enhanced review.

Security 2 – Passed​

What it likely is:​

• This part usually refers to initial security screening, most often done by:
  • CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) – handles general admissibility checks.
  • RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) – checks for criminal records in Canada.
  • Possible verification of identity and documentation.

What they check:​

• Your fingerprints (biometrics) against Canadian and international criminal databases.
• Any immigration violations, fraud, or criminal records.

If this step is marked “Passed”:​

• It means you’ve cleared the initial layer of background review.
• Your fingerprints and general identity checks didn’t raise concerns.

Hopefully that's all

 

[Fiat@fifo]

Hi there
In my GCMS note was written eligiblity, medical, criminality, info sharing passed
Security not started
I didn’t see anything about two security checks

As I know, as soon as you got PAL that means eligibility is passed ( and almost all other checks) except Security, and at same time of issuing PAL the officer send your file to security screening.

This is for all programs except PNP, which security starts in early stages

 

[JDI]

Hi there
In my GCMS note was written medical - Passed (Expired, GCMS made a note for renewal!!!)), criminality - Passed -BIO
Eligiblity & Security not started
submission Mar 2022, AOR; Mar 2023

any comments what is next step and how log does it take to recieve final decision

thanks

 

[Nima987]

As I know, as soon as you got PAL that means eligibility is passed ( and almost all other checks) except Security, and at same time of issuing PAL the officer send your file to security screening.

This is for all programs except PNP, which security starts in early stages

But in Note is clearly written
Security not started
The date of getting PAL and passing eligibility was the same on September 17,2024
I really don’t know what they’re doing
I feel they slowing down everything but for what reason???
It’s so frustrating as now Im passing 52 months since I submitted in January 2021

 

[Nima987]

Why Does It Show as "Not Started"?
Here are some common reasons:
File is waiting in queue for a security review trigger.
IRCC may be waiting for final internal clearance or processing capacity.
It could be a delay in forwarding the case to CSIS (this is not uncommon).
Sometimes GCMS shows “not started” even though CSIS is reviewing — due to lack of real-time updates from CSIS to IRCC.

It means:
No security screening by CSIS has begun yet.
Your file has not yet been forwarded to CSIS for their part of the security assessment.
No issues have been found so far in eligibility, criminality, or other checks — that's good.

Thé only thing I think made this delay might be Thé eligiblity of another essential member in team that’s not passed yet
Otherwise everything is clear and there is no reason to be waited.

 

[BigDreamBoy]

But in Note is clearly written
Security not started
The date of getting PAL and passing eligibility was the same on September 17,2024
I really don’t know what they’re doing
I feel they slowing down everything but for what reason???
It’s so frustrating as now Im passing 52 months since I submitted in January 2021

Yours and @JDI timeline is scary…this is making me think to drop my current application and apply again with priority DO…I submitted in March 2024…no AOR yet

 

[suv2020]

Hi there
In my GCMS note was written medical - Passed (Expired, GCMS made a note for renewal!!!)), criminality - Passed -BIO
Eligiblity & Security not started
submission Mar 2022, AOR; Mar 2023

any comments what is next step and how log does it take to recieve final decision

thanks

The next important step is Eligibility: Once Eligibility is passed, you may get the Pre-Arrival Letter (PAL) which is mainly for the outlanders. After that, your Security check will be carried out (Normally it will take from 2 - 5 months for this step unless it is the Comprehensive Security Check which may last from 1 - 2 years ....). And when every essential member (and their family members) passes everything, the final decision will be issued. During that circle, IRCC officers may request another Medical Check if it is going to expire. Wish you and your team all the best of luck and be able to get the golden email very soon.

 

[JDI]

The next important step is Eligibility: Once Eligibility is passed, you may get the Pre-Arrival Letter (PAL) which is mainly for the outlanders. After that, your Security check will be carried out (Normally it will take from 2 - 5 months for this step unless it is the Comprehensive Security Check which may last from 1 - 2 years ....). And when every essential member (and their family members) passes everything, the final decision will be issued. During that circle, IRCC officers may request another Medical Check if it is going to expire. Wish you and your team all the best of luck and be able to get the golden email very soon.

Thnks a lot @ suv2020

any time frame for these steps

 

[Fiat@fifo]

SUV processing time has surged to 41 months, marking a one-month increase.

 

[Nima987]

SUV processing time has surged to 41 months, marking a one-month increase.

Yesterday I called IRCC to follow up my application status, he said nothing changed
Security not started
I asked if there is anything I can do to speed up , he said they will start whenever they want it’s nothing you can do
I think they slow down but I don’t know why! They did nothings in my application since September 17,2024
Is anyone saw any progress on his application??please share

Wish everyone good news soon

 

[BigDreamBoy]

Yesterday I called IRCC to follow up my application status, he said nothing changed
Security not started
I asked if there is anything I can do to speed up , he said they will start whenever they want it’s nothing you can do
I think they slow down but I don’t know why! They did nothings in my application since September 17,2024
Is anyone saw any progress on his application??please share

Wish everyone good news soon

If you are under non priority DO, the progress is halted until they process all applications of priority DOs...including the new ones. This is my guess.

 

[Fiat@fifo]

If you are under non priority DO, the progress is halted until they process all applications of priority DOs...including the new ones. This is my guess.

I think nobody knows what's going on. Maybe you are correct, but it's not fair to include the old application in any new decision.

 

[suv2020]

Thnks a lot @ suv2020

any time frame for these steps

I don't have this information and believe it depends on different scenarios.

 

[Ice Forest]

I don't have this information and believe it depends on different scenarios.

A lawyer said (see link below) that Start-Up Visa program applications from those backed by a designated entity that is not part of Canada’s Tech Network (CTN) will only be processed after all CTN applications are finished processing.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1786460646386610195

 

[Fiat@fifo]

A lawyer said (see link below) that Start-Up Visa program applications from those backed by a designated entity that is not part of Canada’s Tech Network (CTN) will only be processed after all CTN applications are finished processing.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1786460646386610195

Does prioritizing apply to those who applied in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023?