Follow the instructions provided in your “Transportation Security Services account initiation” email to access your account and start completing your application. If you did not receive the email, check with your employer to ensure that they’ve created your account and that your email address has been entered correctly.
Processing time for applications depends on how complex your background checks are, and the accuracy of information you included in your application.
The processing time for your application:
- starts once we receive your application, fingerprints and all supporting documents
- only applies if you correctly completed your application
- doesn’t include mailing time for paper documents
| Reason for delay | Impact on service standards |
|---|---|
|
You’ve spent 6 months or more outside of Canada and the US in the last 5 years |
It could take more than 60 days to process your application, and you may need to submit extra documents or information. You can find more details on these documents in the Guidelines for Transportation Security Clearance (TSC) Applications with Extended Out-of-Country (OOC) Implications |
|
You’ve had your Transportation Security Clearance refused or cancelled in the last 5 years |
You must wait 5 years (to the day) to reapply. If the circumstances that led to the refusal/cancellation have changed, you can reapply. |
|
You have outstanding criminal charges |
If you have outstanding criminal charges (in other words, your case is still before the courts and no final decision has been made), other than driving-related offences, you should wait until a final decision is made on your case before submitting your application. |
|
You have a criminal history or close associations with known criminals |
It could take more than 60 days to process your application |
If you have all documents on hand, it can take 20 to 40 minutes to complete the application on the TSS platform.