Matt what did CIC agents tell you about your case? As far as I know, your file was placed in a special group and probably that is why you are facing this delay.
This category is mentioned only in my GCSM notes. There are numerous other applicants that are in the same category and have been facing a significant delay like me as well. So we have come to the conclusion that it cannot be a coincidence. That is why we thing it is about this particular sub-group (secure outstanding). On the other hand, CIC does not confirm this conclusion. Instead, they only say that processing time varies from case to case and there is no guarantee that every application can be processed within 6 months. What we absolutely know is that there are other government agencies - both Canadian and external - such as CSIS, Interpol and FBI etc. However, I cannot say for absolutely sure which external agencies are involved in the security screening process. What we also assume is that the likelihood of a longer security screening increases if the applicant had served in the military or been a public servant outside Canada. I know numerous people from the forum that have compulsory military service and/or government service in their CVs such as me. Honestly, as I mentioned in other treats as well, I consider this kind of over securitized consideration of security screening fairly over-exaggerated especially for applications from within Canada, since 1) those applicants are already located in Canada over years, 2) people with criminal intentions do nor require to become permanent resident in a country in order to initiate their criminal acts and 3) criminal people are nor so foolish to provide authorities their entire life-history with evidences and documents. Although I am convinced that this procedure of CIC is quite old-fashioned and does not provide a significant increase on the quality if immigrant-selection in terms of Canadian domestic security, there are a good number of forum-participants here that disagree with me. They misunderstand and confuse criticism of mine: they think, I am saying Canadian government should not check backgrounds of applicants. Of course this is ridiculous
I don't say that. In contrary, I do believe they have to check the background of immigrants properly. Nevertheless, in today's world 1) it is not normal to conduct security screening over several months and 2) those long lasting checks are mostly not reliable. In other countries (such as Germany) there are in-depth interviews face to face with an immigration agent: they ask questions, you answer, and the officer can compare the info yo provide with the info they get within the conventional screening process, so they are able to profile you in a way sophisticated method and besides they are also in the position to observe your body language of face impressions etc. Bottom-line: Canadian immigration system has its own weaknesses. But we cannot change it, so we have to accept it, because we need it, if we want to become PR of this beautiful country. I don't blame Canada at all, but it doesn't mean that I have to like the methods of CIC. For me, CIC is not representative for Canada's well-deserved image as a very good place for newcomers.
I hope the info I provided helps. And you guys forgive my personal comments on Canada'a immigration system.
Best of luck to us all.
