Why securtiy and criminality takes less time for some people and more for others. Taken from Audit report
Criminality and security inadmissibility
3.40 Under sections 34 to 37 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, visa officers can deny applicants entry into Canada on several grounds related to criminality and security.
3.41 Criminality checks consist mainly of examining the information that accompanies an application, which includes a police certificate from all countries where the applicant has lived for more than six months. Also the Department, in consultation with other organizations, has developed profiles to help identify individuals who might be associated with organized crime and war crimes. When an applicant matches a profile, visa officers can refer the case to the Department's Intelligence Branch. The Branch examines the files, investigates further, and provides advice to the visa officer responsible for processing the application.
3.42 The Department's offices abroad conduct security checks based on risk assessment. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) prepares profiles in co-operation with the Department. These profiles identify the types of people most likely to be inadmissible for engaging in espionage, subversion, or terrorism. Applicants who fit these profiles are referred to CSIS for a check. CSIS reports back to Citizenship and Immigration Canada whether it has concerns or not. The Service prepares a "no reportable trace" report if it has no adverse information on the applicant. The Service prepares an inadmissibility brief when it believes that the applicant is inadmissible as described in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. If CSIS believes that the applicant is admissible according to the Act but is or was involved in activities described in security provisions of the Act, it prepares an information brief. The Service prepares an "incidental letter" if it receives information on applicants that could make them inadmissible on matters that do not relate to security; for example, health concerns or crimes against humanity. CSIS forwards its reports, briefs, and letters to the Intelligence Branch, which follows up and advises visa officers.
