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The anatomy of a Background Check? - <<<<<<IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS>>>>>>>

Hwallikniw

Star Member
May 25, 2022
58
11
Dear @legalfalcon thank you so much for having this informative forum. I was wondering regarding the unexpected visits from CSIS you mentioned, could it happen as a step of your security clearance? Or they only email and invite you for an interview with CSIS?
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,048
9,915
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016
Dear @legalfalcon thank you so much for having this informative forum. I was wondering regarding the unexpected visits from CSIS you mentioned, could it happen as a step of your security clearance? Or they only email and invite you for an interview with CSIS?
CSIS inviting for an interview is very rare.
 

SALEMALI

Full Member
Jun 10, 2016
23
3
CSIS inviting for an interview is very rare.

Guys

On December 1, 2022, I submitted a request Access to Information Act to CSIS and received a letter that has the following

“A record search for the requested information was completed on the basis of the information provided by you and we were unable to locate any record relevant to your request”

Does it mean my application was sent from IRCC but was never received or forgotten by the CSIS?
 

arbu45

Star Member
Oct 1, 2019
137
18
36
Pakistan
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
London
NOC Code......
1221
AOR Received.
10-01-2020
Can we email CSIS to get an update regarding our Security Screening. As it has been stuck in Security Screening for 2.5 years.
@legalfalcon
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,048
9,915
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016
Can we email CSIS to get an update regarding our Security Screening. As it has been stuck in Security Screening for 2.5 years.
@legalfalcon
You will have to apply to CSIS under the ATIP, i.e. get notes. Sending an email would not suffice.

See https://bit.ly/3LYFJWZ to read the security screening manual.

Another option is to request your CBSA notes and see if your security is actually in process or concluded, and if so on what dates.
 

arbu45

Star Member
Oct 1, 2019
137
18
36
Pakistan
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
London
NOC Code......
1221
AOR Received.
10-01-2020
You will have to apply to CSIS under the ATIP, i.e. get notes. Sending an email would not suffice.

See https://bit.ly/3LYFJWZ to read the security screening manual.

Another option is to request your CBSA notes and see if your security is actually in process or concluded, and if so on what dates.
Have applied for CBSA notes, haven't received them yet. However the extension period has also passed.
 

legalfalcon

VIP Member
Sep 21, 2015
19,048
9,915
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
4112
App. Filed.......
03-09-2015
Doc's Request.
01-10-2015
AOR Received.
03-09-2015
Med's Done....
17-08-2015
Passport Req..
05-04-2016
VISA ISSUED...
12-04-2016
LANDED..........
05-05-2016
Have applied for CBSA notes, haven't received them yet. However the extension period has also passed.
Send an email to CBSA. Earlier IRCC was flooded with ATIP requests, and since there were delays there, people started requesting the notes from cBSA, and CBSA to is going in the same direction. Although delays with CBSA are rare, they are becoming more frequent.
 

arbu45

Star Member
Oct 1, 2019
137
18
36
Pakistan
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
London
NOC Code......
1221
AOR Received.
10-01-2020
Send an email to CBSA. Earlier IRCC was flooded with ATIP requests, and since there were delays there, people started requesting the notes from cBSA, and CBSA to is going in the same direction. Although delays with CBSA are rare, they are becoming more frequent.
Is there any other option except Mandamus to speed up your case?
I have been stuck in Security Screening since 2.5 yrs.
 

Takita

Hero Member
May 12, 2021
453
111
@legalfalcon ,

Thank you for your valuable insights and responses.

I have applied for PR under EE CEC class. AOR 21 Oct 2022. Everything Passed on 3 Feb. Info Sharing In Progress since 9 Nov 2022. Security started 6 Feb 2023.

No VR. No to ALL stat Q's, No Adverse Information. Plain and simple profile.

Today, I received CBSA notes and it says "Security Screening by CBSA" In Progress? Does it mean it will be sent to CSIS next or only CBSA?

What are current average timelines to complete security screening by CBSA these days? How early could this complete?

Since my ITA received on 31 Aug 2022 after 6 Jul. All applications after 6 July will be back to 6month processing standard by Imm!gration m!n!ster Sean Fraser. Does this mean Security screening has to be concluded within 6months?

Does due date on security screening (30days from start date) and case file due date has anything to do with processing timeline?

Thanks!
 

Takita

Hero Member
May 12, 2021
453
111
@legalfalcon ,

Thank you for your valuable insights and responses.

I have applied for PR under EE CEC class. AOR 21 Oct 2022. Everything Passed on 3 Feb. Info Sharing In Progress since 9 Nov 2022. Security started 6 Feb 2023.

No VR. No to ALL stat Q's, No Adverse Information. Plain and simple profile.

Today, I received CBSA notes and it says "Security Screening by CBSA" In Progress? Does it mean it will be sent to CSIS next or only CBSA?

What are current average timelines to complete security screening by CBSA these days? How early could this complete?

Since my ITA received on 31 Aug 2022 after 6 Jul. All applications after 6 July will be back to 6month processing standard by Imm!gration m!n!ster. Does this mean Security screening has to be concluded within 6months?

Does due date on security screening (30days from start date) and case file due date has anything to do with processing timeline?

Thanks!
@legalfalcon ,

Would you please provide your valuable response. See below Security status on my latest CBSA notes. Thanks!

Security Status CBSA notes

Security Sub Activities Status CBSA notes
 

Takita

Hero Member
May 12, 2021
453
111
What exactly are you asking here? looking at this it says your Security is being processed by CBSA
@RefugeeHelp1 ,

Is my application under comprehensive screening (only some applicants go thru) or record check only (most applicants go thru)?

I have literally simple and clean profile. no adverse info. Inland. How long it takes to pass Security?
 

RefugeeHelp1

Hero Member
May 23, 2019
975
949
Category........
Other
@RefugeeHelp1 ,

Is my application under comprehensive screening (only some applicants go thru) or record check only (most applicants go thru)?

I have literally simple and clean profile. no adverse info. Inland. How long it takes to pass Security?

In the context of Canadian immigration, security clearance and security screening are two different processes that are conducted by different government agencies.

Security clearance refers to the process of evaluating an individual's background, including criminal history, immigration history, and personal information, to determine whether they pose a security risk to Canada. This process is conducted by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and is typically required for individuals who are seeking employment in certain government agencies or who require a security clearance for other reasons.

Security screening, on the other hand, refers to the process of evaluating an individual's admissibility to Canada based on a variety of factors, including criminal history, immigration history, and other risk factors. This process is conducted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and is typically required for individuals who are seeking to enter Canada as visitors, students, workers, or permanent residents.

In the context of your GCMS/ATIP notes, the terms "security clearance" and "security screening" may refer to different aspects of the assessment of your application. For example, the security screening process may involve a criminal background check, whereas the security clearance process may involve a more in-depth investigation into your personal history and connections.

Overall, both security clearance and security screening are important components of the Canadian immigration process, and they are designed to ensure the safety and security of Canadians.

My GCMS has Both
SC was Updated on Dec 13 and completed Dec 20
My SS Updated Dec 13 and completed Dec 15

I also have a clean record etc so I am sure IRCC does not care they just do it but I am no expert on this, also these things depend on countries to reposnced so ddeending on what counry you are from and if IRCC needs info r
 

Takita

Hero Member
May 12, 2021
453
111
In the context of Canadian immigration, security clearance and security screening are two different processes that are conducted by different government agencies.

Security clearance refers to the process of evaluating an individual's background, including criminal history, immigration history, and personal information, to determine whether they pose a security risk to Canada. This process is conducted by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and is typically required for individuals who are seeking employment in certain government agencies or who require a security clearance for other reasons.

Security screening, on the other hand, refers to the process of evaluating an individual's admissibility to Canada based on a variety of factors, including criminal history, immigration history, and other risk factors. This process is conducted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and is typically required for individuals who are seeking to enter Canada as visitors, students, workers, or permanent residents.

In the context of your GCMS/ATIP notes, the terms "security clearance" and "security screening" may refer to different aspects of the assessment of your application. For example, the security screening process may involve a criminal background check, whereas the security clearance process may involve a more in-depth investigation into your personal history and connections.

Overall, both security clearance and security screening are important components of the Canadian immigration process, and they are designed to ensure the safety and security of Canadians.

My GCMS has Both
SC was Updated on Dec 13 and completed Dec 20
My SS Updated Dec 13 and completed Dec 15

I also have a clean record etc so I am sure IRCC does not care they just do it but I am no expert on this, also these things depend on countries to reposnced so ddeending on what counry you are from and if IRCC needs info r
Thanks, but how do I know if my file under comprehensive screening or not?

CBSA notes screenshots above just say "Security screening In Progress by CBSA".