Is there a definite correlation between extensive travel history and delayed processing times, or more specifically being chosen for security screening? I have read in other threads that even people who have never travelled outside their home countries have been waiting for many months to get their PPR email. Also, it would be interesting to know if they have a list of countries that raise a red flag if you travel there. I have an extensive travel history to US, Europe, Africa and Asia because of work and leisure, so am a little bit concerned about this. Any more insights from the experts would be really helpful.
Things that affect security screening are the following:-
1 - Travel History to safe countries usually isn't a big deal. It just delays it slightly for the added time taken to check with the those countries if required. USA and Canada have intelligence sharing so it's a matter of checking off on US criminal database etc.
2 - Travel to unsafe countries are usually the ones with civil unrest, war, lack of stable government, governments with strong links to terrorism etc. Travel to those countries could add to the timelines if they decide to do deeper checks. Also, if you are a citizen of any of these countries, you can anticipate delays. Not all nationalities are treated equal when it comes to security checks so your nationality does make a difference.
3 - They are pretty experienced to check for red flags. Unexplained frequent trips to a war torn country will raise suspicion compared to tourist visits to a country in Europe.
4 - Previous government, military or police department experience does increase security screening. Government, military or police work in a war torn or a country associated with terrorism - God help you.
5 - Finally the IRCC blackhole. The unexplained. Sometimes we see applications delayed for no reason really. It only takes an officer to put you into a deeper security check for whatever reason. It's not common but it does happen sometimes. They do not have the time or the resources to put every single applicant into deep security checks so they use their experience or anything they find suspicious to put you in a "spin". The deeper checks which take months!
