IRCC vs CBSA GCMS Notes

IRCC GCMS notes contain officer assessments, processing stages, and decision rationale for your immigration application. CBSA GCMS notes cover security screening results, admissibility checks, and travel history verification. Most applicants start with IRCC notes for a clear picture of their application status. If you suspect security screening delays, add CBSA notes or order both departments together for the most complete view.

What Are IRCC GCMS Notes?

IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) is the department that processes immigration applications. When you order GCMS notes from IRCC, you receive the following information about your case:

Officer notes and assessments on your application. Completed processing stages and where your file currently sits. Document checklists showing what was received and what may be missing. Reasons for delays or concerns flagged by officers. Internal communications between officers reviewing your file. Decision rationale if a decision has been made.

These notes give you the most complete picture of where your application stands within IRCC. If you want to understand why your application is taking longer than expected, or what an officer has noted about your file, IRCC GCMS notes are what you need.

Read our complete guide if you wonder what are GCMS notes.

What Are CBSA GCMS Notes?

CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) handles security screening and admissibility assessments. When you order GCMS notes from CBSA, you receive:

Your security screening status. Travel history verification results. Admissibility assessments. Information that IRCC may have redacted under statutory exemptions.

If your application appears stuck at the security screening stage, or if you have concerns about background checks, CBSA notes provide the information that IRCC notes may not contain. Security screening delays are one of the most common reasons for extended processing times, as explained in our GCMS notes processing time page.

Key Differences Between IRCC and CBSA GCMS Notes

The core difference is scope. IRCC notes focus on your immigration application: how it is being processed, what officers have assessed, and what decisions have been made or are pending. CBSA notes focus on security and admissibility: whether background checks are complete and whether any concerns were flagged.

IRCC notes are the starting point for most applicants because they cover the broadest range of information. CBSA notes fill in the gaps, particularly around security screening, which IRCC is not always able to disclose in their own records due to statutory exemptions.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	IRCC GCMS Notes	CBSA GCMS Notes
Officer assessments	Yes	No
Processing history	Yes	Limited
Decision rationale	Yes	No
Security screening status	Mentioned only	Full details
Travel history verification	No	Yes
Admissibility checks	No	Yes
Document checklists	Yes	No
Redacted info from IRCC	N/A	May be included

Which GCMS Notes Should You Order?

Order IRCC GCMS Notes If You Want To:

Understand your application’s current processing stage. See what officers have noted about your file. Find out if any documents are missing or if concerns have been raised. Get the decision rationale for an approval or refusal.

Order CBSA GCMS Notes If You Want To:

Check the status of your security screening. See if background checks are causing delays. Access information that IRCC may have withheld under exemptions.

Order Both IRCC and CBSA Together If You Want To:

Get the most complete picture of your immigration file. Understand both the application processing side and the security screening side. This is the best option if you want comprehensive transparency. You can order from both IRCC and CBSA as a discounted bundle.

Order the Entire Case File If You Need:

A complete record for legal purposes or RCIC consultation. All submitted forms, supporting documents, and correspondence alongside your GCMS notes. This is the most thorough record of your immigration history with IRCC. See pricing and details for the GCMS notes and entire case file.

How Long Do IRCC and CBSA Notes Take?

Both IRCC and CBSA GCMS notes typically arrive within 15 to 35 days after the request is submitted to the government. Processing times are set by the government and cannot be expedited. If you order both departments together, both requests are submitted on the same day. They may arrive at different times since IRCC and CBSA process requests independently. For the latest processing time information, see our GCMS notes processing time [link] page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Compare Options and Order

Choose the option that fits your situation. Visit gcmsnotesrequest.ca to see current pricing for IRCC notes, CBSA notes, the IRCC and CBSA bundle, and the entire case file.