BGC started means your file is actively being reviewed. For US-based applicants with simple travel history, background checks typically complete in 1–3 months. After BGC clears, you are waiting for a Passport Request (PPR) — the final step before your immigrant visa. Total outland processing in 2026 averages 15–16 months from application submission.
You have watched each milestone appear on your GCKey account — AOR, BIL, MIL, sponsor eligibility, medical passed, biometrics passed — and now BGC is marked as started. What does that actually mean, and how long until you see the Passport Request?
BGC stands for Background Check. When it appears as "started" on your IRCC account, it means the visa office has begun security and criminality screening on your principal applicant's record. This includes checks against Canadian and international databases, RCMP records, CSIS screening, and for US applicants, information shared through the Five Eyes intelligence partnership.
BGC starting is a positive milestone — it means your file has moved to active review at the visa office. It does not mean a problem has been found. It means they are doing their job.
For principal applicants based in the United States with straightforward backgrounds, BGC typically completes within 1–3 months of being marked as started. Canada and the US share immigration and security data extensively, which makes American applicants among the fastest to clear background screening.
| Applicant Profile | Typical BGC Duration |
|---|---|
| US citizen, minimal travel history, no record | 1–3 months |
| US citizen, extensive international travel | 2–5 months |
| Prior visits to high-scrutiny countries | 4–8 months |
| Any prior criminal record or law enforcement contact | 6–12+ months |
Travel history limited to Canada visits only — as is the case for many US-based spouses of Canadian citizens — is about as clean a profile as IRCC sees. This profile typically clears on the faster end of the range.
IRCC's official processing time for outland spousal sponsorship is approximately 15–16 months from the date of application submission as of 2026. This represents the time to process 80% of completed applications — it is not a guarantee.
After all checks clear — BGC, medical, biometrics — the visa office issues a Passport Request letter. This is the signal that a positive decision has been made on your application. You are not yet approved, but approval is imminent. The PPR letter tells you where and how to submit your passport.
You mail or courier your passport to the designated visa application center. Processing after passport submission typically takes 2–4 weeks. The visa office stamps your immigrant visa inside the passport and returns it. This visa is your entry document to land in Canada as a permanent resident.
You must land in Canada before the expiry date on your immigrant visa (typically 1 year from your medical exam date). At the port of entry, a CBSA officer confirms your PR status and you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Your PR card is mailed to your Canadian address within 6–8 weeks.
Do not submit a webform asking IRCC to update you on BGC status. IRCC will not provide BGC updates, and excessive webforms can flag your file for manual review. BGC happens in the background — there is nothing you can do to speed it up.
While BGC is running, the most useful things you can do are:
| Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Ensure your passport does not expire | Your immigrant visa must fit inside a valid passport — if it expires during processing, update IRCC immediately |
| Keep your address and contact info current in GCKey | PPR is sent to the contact info on file — a wrong address means a missed letter |
| Check your IRCC account periodically | Once a week is enough — refreshing daily changes nothing and increases anxiety |
| Prepare your soft landing plan | Once PPR arrives, things move fast — know where you will land, where you will stay, and what address to use for your PR card |
From application to landing — guides for every stage of bringing your spouse to Canada.
Browse All GuidesProcessing times sourced from IRCC official processing time tool, May 2026. Individual timelines vary — these figures represent 80% of completed applications, not guarantees. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.