G. What can an applicant do if his application is stuck at BGC?
If an application is stuck at BGC for a very long time, i.e. more than 3-5 months after your eligibility is cleared you have two options:
a) You can inquire about the status of your security check directly from CSIS. To enquire about the status of a an immigration screening file, the following information is required*:
a. a full name,
b. date and place of birth,
c. the signature of the applicant, and
d. a return mailing address as replies
are not sent by email or fax.
e. If you are enquiring on behalf of another person, the request must be accompanied by the
Consent Form to Disclose Information to a Designated Individual.
f. Mail or fax the request to CSIS at the attention of:
Assistant Director, Operations
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
P.O. Box 9732, Station T
Ottawa, ON
K1G 4G4
Fax: 613-369-2954
It takes CSIS 8 weeks to process these requests. Information on this is available at
https://www.csis.gc.ca/scrtscrnng/index-en.php#bm02 Some applicants have successfully obtained information from CSIS.
b) If CSIS has finished the security screening, then your file is pending final review with IRCC. There is nothing much you can do at this stage. However, there is anecdotal evident that ordering GCMS notes does initiate the process. This is because every time you order GCMS notes, an agent will review the notes before releasing them. If the file has been reviewed by the Agent, and is pending posting the update on the system, the same will be done by the agent when he is reviewing the notes and this will move your file ahead.
just one last question...do you know if they send the passport to Chandigarh India for visa or New Delhi???? everyone's saying that for spousal applications it's always new delhi but my husband's passport was sent to chandigarh and it's in processing with the IRCC....do you know how long do they take to send the passport back?>> please let me know////// and thank you so very much for all your help.....god bless!
