Think that was pure coincidence. Just filing a writ of mandamus typically does not lead to any movement of your application.
GCMS shows 'Security Screening' and waiting... - let's gather here!
- Thread starter RezJay
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Think that was pure coincidence. Just filing a writ of mandamus typically does not lead to any movement of your application.
I actually saw this happens a lot already! It can’t be a rule definitely, but I guess it still says something.
Hi thanks for taking the time to share your case!
I've seen a few previous mandamus testimonies where people got updates surprisingly quickly after starting the process. My feeling is that this mostly happens when the application is already close to completion and is just sitting in bureaucratic limbo. My understanding is that once you reach Step 2, the litigation side takes a look at it and if it's already close to being finalized, they may decide it's better to get it moving rather than continue the litigation. I'm sure plenty of files just sit there and get overlooked too. So I wouldn't say mandamus automatically causes movement, but I don't think it can sometimes bring attention to a file that's already near the finish line and just needs a push.
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My file was silent upto 2 years in security check but after starting mandamus it started moving. According to my experience, the main thing is that an officer should open your file, once it touches by an officer then there is chances that it moves ahead.
Would the movement be visible on the GCMS notes?
Mine, months after mandamus filing, still says “Received by CBSA” as it was before.
Ditto, that's what I'm gambling on, if there's some movement great, if not then I would have done everything in my power.
Hello, I'm sorry if I missed it but after receiving the response from DOJ, did you file another memorandum to address their arguments?
Yes. My lawyer replied the response from DOJ. It’s not really a memo as we could not add more evidence.
Typically yes but, CSIS did admit in their annual report https://www.canada.ca/en/security-i...report-2025/operations-and-analysis.html#toc7 that Mandamus applications had an impact on their processing timelines and priorities.
So it won't magically produce major movements but at least it will bring some eyes to the files, since IRCC won't bother contacting CSIS about a mandamus that they can confidently defend "reasonable delay".
We applied for Canadian permanent residence in 2023.
At first, everything seemed to move pretty quickly. This was our timeline:
20.08.2023 — Submitted / Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)
16.09.2023 — Medical passed
03.10.2023 — Biometrics passed and completed in GCKey
28.11.2023 — Background check changed to “In Progress” in the tracker
15.04.2024 — CBSA records: A34 Comprehensive Security Screening — “In Progress”
And then… nothing.
Months turned into years.
Meanwhile, real life didn’t stop. Our children got older. School years passed. Birthdays came and went. Things that were supposed to be temporary slowly became our normal life.
I think people who have been stuck in a long immigration process understand this strange feeling. You’re not exactly waiting every day anymore, because you still work, raise your kids, travel, make plans, and live your life.
But somewhere in the background, there is always that unfinished application.
In progress.
Years of waiting, uncertainty, hope, frustration, and all the emotions that came with it eventually found their way into words.
Those words became a song.
IN PROGRESS — LORQAI
I wanted to share this here because I suspect people who have lived through a long immigration process will understand those words in a way most listeners probably won’t.
For those who have been waiting a long time too:
At what point did you stop putting your life on hold and simply start living while you wait?
At first, everything seemed to move pretty quickly. This was our timeline:
20.08.2023 — Submitted / Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)
16.09.2023 — Medical passed
03.10.2023 — Biometrics passed and completed in GCKey
28.11.2023 — Background check changed to “In Progress” in the tracker
15.04.2024 — CBSA records: A34 Comprehensive Security Screening — “In Progress”
And then… nothing.
Months turned into years.
Meanwhile, real life didn’t stop. Our children got older. School years passed. Birthdays came and went. Things that were supposed to be temporary slowly became our normal life.
I think people who have been stuck in a long immigration process understand this strange feeling. You’re not exactly waiting every day anymore, because you still work, raise your kids, travel, make plans, and live your life.
But somewhere in the background, there is always that unfinished application.
In progress.
Years of waiting, uncertainty, hope, frustration, and all the emotions that came with it eventually found their way into words.
Those words became a song.
IN PROGRESS — LORQAI
I wanted to share this here because I suspect people who have lived through a long immigration process will understand those words in a way most listeners probably won’t.
For those who have been waiting a long time too:
At what point did you stop putting your life on hold and simply start living while you wait?
Regarding immigration security screening delay. The processing time varies significantly from each individual and no one can predict how long it takes.
''CSIS has advised NSIRA that the time it takes to provide security advice is influenced by several factors, including the prioritization of files, resource limitations, and priorities established by the Government of Canada, such as special immigration measures and humanitarian initiatives in response to crises around the world.'' (NSIRA annual report 2024)
''The Immigration National Security Screening Program has faced pressures due to increasing volumes and new demands, including continually high referral volumes as a result of recent immigration facilitation initiatives implemented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and other government departments, as well as geopolitical events (such as armed conflicts or natural disasters) and associated humanitarian initiatives. In addition, the program's current case management software is aging and the program continues to support the project lead for Security Screening Automation. These factors have led to an increased number of time-sensitive and complex cases, placing pressure on program capacity. The CBSA is working with partners to address these pressures and has launched a number of program enhancement initiatives to optimize business processes and structures.'' (CBSA department plan 2026-2027)
The CBSA plays a key role in preventing inadmissible persons from entering and remaining in Canada, with priority given to cases involving organized crime, security, and human rights violations. Once the CBSA receives a file for security screening, we aim to complete screening within the service standards. Every application is unique and some are impacted by competing priorities. Numerous steps have been recently taken to address this issue, such as risk based asylum screening which is a triage of asylum claims using indicators to identify potential risks and assess whether more comprehensive screening is warranted. The CBSA is continuously reviewing and improving internal processes and take the necessary action to address any identified program gaps. (response to e-7259 (Citizenship and immigration)
The border agency (CBSA) said the three government bodies are taking key steps to reduce screening backlogs, including training and onboarding additional officers and improving processes. The number began to fall for the first time since 2021, and further reductions are forecast. Currently, pending cases include 69,800 temporary resident applications, 31,300 permanent resident files and 73,400 refugee claims. (Total 174,500 pending security screening). (Toronto Star, August, 2026, Canada is spending big to recruit top global minds. They may find it hard to stay in the country — if they can even get in)
''CSIS has advised NSIRA that the time it takes to provide security advice is influenced by several factors, including the prioritization of files, resource limitations, and priorities established by the Government of Canada, such as special immigration measures and humanitarian initiatives in response to crises around the world.'' (NSIRA annual report 2024)
''The Immigration National Security Screening Program has faced pressures due to increasing volumes and new demands, including continually high referral volumes as a result of recent immigration facilitation initiatives implemented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and other government departments, as well as geopolitical events (such as armed conflicts or natural disasters) and associated humanitarian initiatives. In addition, the program's current case management software is aging and the program continues to support the project lead for Security Screening Automation. These factors have led to an increased number of time-sensitive and complex cases, placing pressure on program capacity. The CBSA is working with partners to address these pressures and has launched a number of program enhancement initiatives to optimize business processes and structures.'' (CBSA department plan 2026-2027)
The CBSA plays a key role in preventing inadmissible persons from entering and remaining in Canada, with priority given to cases involving organized crime, security, and human rights violations. Once the CBSA receives a file for security screening, we aim to complete screening within the service standards. Every application is unique and some are impacted by competing priorities. Numerous steps have been recently taken to address this issue, such as risk based asylum screening which is a triage of asylum claims using indicators to identify potential risks and assess whether more comprehensive screening is warranted. The CBSA is continuously reviewing and improving internal processes and take the necessary action to address any identified program gaps. (response to e-7259 (Citizenship and immigration)
The border agency (CBSA) said the three government bodies are taking key steps to reduce screening backlogs, including training and onboarding additional officers and improving processes. The number began to fall for the first time since 2021, and further reductions are forecast. Currently, pending cases include 69,800 temporary resident applications, 31,300 permanent resident files and 73,400 refugee claims. (Total 174,500 pending security screening). (Toronto Star, August, 2026, Canada is spending big to recruit top global minds. They may find it hard to stay in the country — if they can even get in)
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totally resonates with us, we applied in Feb 2022 ... still waiting on extensive security screening, it's very hard to keep your life on hold for almost 5 years now
May I ask why u have not consider writ of mandamus at this point? And if you have already, what was the outcome?totally resonates with us, we applied in Feb 2022 ... still waiting on extensive security screening, it's very hard to keep your life on hold for almost 5 years now
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