When and why does it make sense to request GCMS from CBSA?
Making a request for your GCMS or Entire File from IRCC or CBSA is a matter of personal preference. For most, requesting from IRCC will be sufficient. However there can be situations when requesting from CBSA may be a better choice. See when and why it can make sense to request your GCMS file from CBSA. The comparison below does not imply that CBSA is better than IRCC or that CBSA is faster than IRCC all the time. If you are concerned about processing delays then request your notes from both IRCC and CBSA.
Updated: February 15th, 2023
| Govt. agency | Layout | Delivery format | Processing time | Risk of delay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRCC | Legacy layout of report | Email / PDF | 30 days | Very High |
| CBSA | New layout of report | Email / PDF | 30 days | Low-Medium |
Government agency
IRCC
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is the department of the Government of Canada with responsibility for matters dealing with immigration to Canada, refugees, and Canadian citizenship
CBSA
The Canada Border Services Agency is a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for border control, immigration enforcement, and customs services in Canada
SUMMARY
IRCC
Making a request from IRCC or CBSA is a matter of personal preference. For most, requesting from IRCC will be sufficient
CBSA
There can be situations when requesting from CBSA may be a better choice;
you have a deadline to meet and want the file from both IRCC and CBSA to reduce the risk of delay
your application is in progress and you want more information about Security Screening
you were found inadmissible and were refused entry to, or removed from Canada
you want maximum possible information about your file and want information from IRCC and CBSA
Source of information
IRCC
The Global Case Management System
CBSA
CBSA uses the Global Case Management System as well
Content
IRCC
GCMS Notes – Includes the status update of the file, the officers electronic notes and/or the reason for refusal
Entire File – Includes the status update of the file, the officers electronic notes and/or the reason for refusal copies of all forms and supporting documents sent to/from IRCC
CBSA
Includes the same information as provided by IRCC information administered by CBSA
Delivery format
IRCC
IRCC provides information via email as a PDF document
CBSA
Prior to the pandemic CBSA provided information via postal mail only. Currently CBSA follows the same protocol as IRCC
Processing time
IRCC
There is a great degree of variability with IRCC’s performance; files from IRCC may arrive well before the due date, on the due date itself or may be delayed beyond the due date
IRCC receives the most requests of all government agencies and was also investigated by the Information Commissioner of Canada regarding delays
CBSA
Processing delays with CBSA can occur as well but overall CBSA has had a better track record for on-time performance
Statistics
IRCC
Requests received and completed
Completion times
Complaint volumes
CBSA
Requests received and completed
Completion times
Of the 10,015 completed requests, the CBSA was successful in responding to 90.7% within the legislated timelines, an increase from the 89.8% achieved last fiscal year
Complaint volumes
The number of complaints filed relate to 7.5% of the 10,015 access to information requests completed during this period
Redaction
IRCC
IRCC and CBSA both do not disclose certain information that could be injurious to Canada’s security or economy, federal-provincial relations and international affairs
In some cases IRCC will withhold certain types of information but CBSA will disclose the exact same information. Example; Security screening details are always redacted in files from IRCC. However, in most files from CBSA security screening details are not redacted
CBSA
Due to inconsistencies in how IRCC and CBSA release the exact same information, it can be beneficial in certain situations to request your file from both IRCC and CBSA. This will provide the maximum possible information about your file
Other
IRCC
- IRCC will accept an e-sign Consent form with an audit log
- For a minor child i.e. under the age of 16, consent from both parents is a requirement
CBSA
- CBSA will also accept an e-sign Consent form with an audit log
- For a minor child, consent from both parents is also a requirement
Step 1 – Application details
Start with the secure & easy to complete online order form. We collect the minimal amount of information required.
Step 2 – Payment
Next make the payment using an option convenient to you. We operate exclusively with PCI compliant payment processors.
Step 3 – Consent form
The last step is to complete the prefilled consent form. The form may be scanned and e-mailed to us or uploaded securely.
