Quick Answer
Employment gaps do not automatically disqualify you from CBSA hiring, but they must be explained clearly on the Personal History Form and during the security clearance process. Extended unexplained gaps raise questions for background investigators. Gaps due to education, caregiving, travel, illness, or unemployment are generally acceptable when documented honestly.
Why Employment History Matters at CBSA
CBSA’s hiring process includes a Secret-level security clearance, which involves a thorough background investigation covering your activities for the past 10 years. Investigators are looking for:
- Consistency and honesty in what you report on the Personal History Form (PHF)
- Gaps that might indicate undisclosed employment (potentially with criminal organizations or foreign governments)
- Signs of financial instability, substance abuse, or conduct that could compromise an officer’s integrity
A gap in your work history is not itself a problem — how it is explained matters most. Gaps that are consistent with verifiable life events (education, travel, caregiving, health issues) are handled very differently from gaps that an applicant cannot explain or chooses not to disclose.
Common Acceptable Employment Gaps
The following types of gaps are generally well-understood by CBSA security investigators:
Education or upgrading
Full-time students with academic transcripts to verify enrolment are not expected to be working simultaneously. Include your institution, program, and enrollment dates on the PHF.
Caregiving responsibilities
Taking time off to care for a child, parent, or other family member is common and well-accepted. Document the dates and general nature of the caregiving role.
Travel
Extended travel — including working holidays abroad — is acceptable. Include countries visited, approximate dates, and activities. Be thorough: overseas time is subject to additional scrutiny.
Illness or mental health leave
If you took time off due to a medical or mental health condition, you are not required to disclose the specific diagnosis (privacy protections apply), but you should note that you were on medical leave and provide approximate dates.
Unemployment / job searching
Being between jobs is common. Document the dates and what you were doing (actively applying, taking courses, volunteering). Extended unemployment without any activity to account for it can raise questions.
What to Avoid
When completing the PHF and discussing your employment history:
- Do not leave gaps blank — every period of your last 10 years must be accounted for
- Do not minimize or round dates — even a few months unaccounted can trigger follow-up
- Do not fabricate employment — providing false information on the PHF is a disqualifying offence regardless of what the gap concealed
- Do not omit short-term or part-time work — all employment, paid or unpaid, should be included
The key principle is complete honesty. Background investigators are experienced at detecting inconsistencies and will verify your accounts with third parties where possible.
How Gaps Affect Your Application Timeline
A significant gap in employment — especially one involving time abroad, unexplained activity, or limited verifiable references — can slow down your security clearance and extend your overall hiring timeline. Investigators may need to:
- Contact references from further back in your history
- Request additional documentation or statutory declarations
- Conduct additional interviews with you to clarify the record
This is not necessarily disqualifying, but it can add weeks or months to the security clearance stage. See CBSA Security Clearance for a full overview of the clearance process.
Tips for Candidates with Significant Gaps
If you have one or more extended gaps in your work history:
- Prepare your timeline in advance — map every month of the past 10 years before completing the PHF
- Gather supporting documentation — enrollment records, medical notes (if comfortable), travel itineraries, or statutory declarations from people who can verify your activities
- Be consistent — whatever you disclose on the PHF, be prepared to discuss it consistently in any follow-up interviews
- Seek stable employment now — even part-time or volunteer work demonstrates current productive activity and provides current references
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a gap where I collected EI (Employment Insurance) disqualify me?
No. Collecting EI between jobs is legal and common. Include the period as "unemployed / job searching" on the PHF.
What if I was self-employed during my gap period?
Self-employment counts as employment and should be listed. Provide business name, nature of the work, and approximate income. Tax returns and client references can help verify self-employed periods.
What if I don’t remember exact dates for everything 10 years ago?
Approximate as closely as possible and note that dates are approximate. Use records like tax returns, bank statements, or old emails to reconstruct your timeline. Making reasonable effort to be accurate is what matters — perfection is not expected.
Does a gap due to incarceration disqualify me?
It depends on the nature of the offence. A criminal record may itself be disqualifying depending on the charge. See Criminal Record and CBSA for more detail.
