GCMS Notes Delay

If your GCMS notes have taken longer than 35 days, the government department has likely applied an extension under the Access to Information Act. Extensions give IRCC or CBSA additional time to process your request and do not indicate a problem with your immigration application. Check your account for status updates, and contact GCMS Notes Request support if you need more information.

Why Are Your GCMS Notes Delayed?

The most common reason for a delay is a government extension. IRCC and CBSA can extend the standard 30-day response window when they need more time to review records, consult with other departments, or work through a high volume of requests. The Access to Information Act allows these extensions, and they happen frequently.

Other reasons include incomplete consent forms (which hold up submission), high request volumes during peak immigration seasons, and complex files that require more extensive review before release. If your consent form had an issue, GCMS Notes Request contacts you by email with instructions to fix it. For help avoiding common mistakes, see our GCMS notes consent form guide.

How Long Can the Government Extend Your Request?

The law allows extensions of varying lengths depending on the reason. Most extensions add 30 to 60 days to the standard timeline. In rare cases, the government applies a longer extension for particularly complex files. Your GCMS Notes Request account shows when the government applies an extension, along with the new expected timeline when available.

For typical processing ranges and current averages, visit our GCMS notes processing time page.

What Should You Do If Your GCMS Notes Are Delayed?

Step 1: Check Your Account Status

Log in to your GCMS Notes Request account and check the current status. If the government has applied an extension, your dashboard will show that. You can track your GCMS notes at any time through your account.

Step 2: Review Your Email

GCMS Notes Request sends email notifications at key points. If additional information or a corrected consent form is needed, you receive an email with instructions. Check your spam or junk folder if you have not seen recent updates.

Step 3: Contact Support If Needed

If your request has been in “Processing” status for more than 45 days without an extension notice, contact GCMS Notes Request support. The team can check on your request with the government and provide an update.

Does Ordering GCMS Notes Delay Your Immigration Application?

No. This is one of the most common concerns, and the answer is clear: ordering GCMS notes has zero effect on your immigration application. Your GCMS notes request and your immigration application are completely separate processes handled by different teams within the government. IRCC officers who process your application do not see that you ordered notes, and the request does not slow down, pause, or influence their decision.

Requesting your records is your legal right under Canadian law. Thousands of applicants order GCMS notes every month without any impact on their cases.

GCMS Notes Delay vs Immigration Application Delay

These two situations are entirely different. A GCMS notes delay means the government needs more time to release your records to you. An immigration application delay means IRCC needs more time to process your actual visa or immigration application. One does not cause or affect the other.

In fact, many people order GCMS notes specifically because their immigration application is delayed. The notes reveal what is causing the hold-up, whether that is a security check, a missing document, or a general processing backlog. So while waiting for your notes can feel frustrating, the information they provide often explains why your application itself is taking longer than expected.

Can You Speed Up a Delayed GCMS Notes Request?

No. Government processing times for ATIP requests cannot be expedited by the applicant or by any service. GCMS Notes Request submits your request the same business day and delivers your notes the same day they arrive, but the government controls the processing timeline.

If you submitted an ATIP request directly to the government (not through a service), you have the right to file a complaint with the Information Commissioner of Canada if the government exceeds the legal response deadline without a valid extension. For more on how ATIP works, see our guide on ATIP and GCMS notes.

How to Avoid Common Causes of Delay

You cannot control government processing times, but you can avoid the most common delays on your end. Submit your consent form promptly after placing your order, because every day you wait adds a day to your timeline. Make sure your name, date of birth, and UCI number match your immigration application exactly. Upload a clear, complete scan of your signed consent form so it does not need to be resubmitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still Waiting? Here Is What to Do

Log in to your account at gcmsnotesrequest.ca to check your current status. If you have questions, reach out to our support team. If you have not yet ordered and want to understand typical timelines, visit our GCMS notes processing time page first.