GCMS shows 'Security Screening' and waiting... - let's gather here!

[ahussein]

I know how frustrating this has been for you and your family. Just like many of us here, I've been in the same situation.

What I would recommend is that you wait at least until your security screening hits the 2-year mark, and if there's still no progress by then, you put in another ATIP request with CBSA to see if your file has been worked on at all for the last 6-12 months. If you see no active movement, then that'll be a strong case to file a writ of mandamus. Anyways, that was my game plan after reading a bunch of forums and getting some AI help. A couple of weeks ago, I learned thru my MP that I was cleared by CBSA after undergoing the A34 for almost 25 months.

Good luck!

Just to confirm my understanding, they cleared you before you started the mandamus, am I right?

 

[NoWayThisIsHappening]

Just to confirm my understanding, they cleared you before you started the mandamus, am I right?

Correct. I was going to wait and see what the GCMS notes from CBSA revealed and would go from there. Thankfully, my MP was able to confirm that the security screening was completed before I received the notes (haven't yet received them actually).

 

[Nakakaka]

Hello, I hate to say this but there is literally nothing you can do but wait. They simply do not care, there are thousands of applications stuck like yours

I guess, I simple do not know who can I contact for the information, thanks a lot for your reply

 

[Nakakaka]

- Screening screening delay varies a lot(each individual is unique and impossible to predict). Nobody knows how it exactly works or how long it is for an individual.
- The times depends on the geopolitical factors, security factors, individual factors etc..
- The security screening conducted by CBSA/CSIS are on the classified level. Therefore IRCC ordinary officer or MPs have no idea about the exact personal progress. (In canada, only the officier with certain levels of security clearance can have access to the classified information).
- One possible recourse is to wrt mandamus to compel a decision. But it's highly individual specific and it's better to consult a lawyer to know the possibility.
- Process for immigration security screening can be found in https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...on-security-screening-trilateral-program.html

Thanks a lot for your reply, I will check the link.

I understand all that, although I do not know what could have triggered my screening, I get it, they decided to check and they are checking it, whatever.
My problem is with the attitude, I do not ask for a favor, I am simply asking for somethign that is in theory guaranteed to me by Canadian law. I don't need beg them for information, like all this "tell me how many voters in your family or we won't help", what kind of MP even does this?
Honestly this is just disappointing, I wasn't expecting to get this sort of reactions.

I simply cannot understand what sort of backlog can a service have to be unable to reply to ATIP request in 297 days?

I feel like they are mishandling the cases a lot, and there are internal priorities that they won't tell us, maybe they decided that our case isn't important. This sort of things should be public I think, you can't put low priority on my case without telling me at least in a reply so I know what to do.

 

[Nakakaka]

Correct. I was going to wait and see what the GCMS notes from CBSA revealed and would go from there. Thankfully, my MP was able to confirm that the security screening was completed before I received the notes (haven't yet received them actually).

Thanks for the reply, that means they are actually working, or maybe that you're simply luckier thant he rest of us.
Mine is in security screening for 19 months give or take, so maybe I still have to wait.
I just get frustrated because they ignore us, not sure why.

I have heard that you supposed to bother them, by sending more "demand styled" requests rather than asking for information, I will start doing that.

 

[Nakakaka]

Correct. I was going to wait and see what the GCMS notes from CBSA revealed and would go from there. Thankfully, my MP was able to confirm that the security screening was completed before I received the notes (haven't yet received them actually).

I am doing exactly that now, waiting for the GCMS notes from CBSA, last one I got was in August 2025, if there is no updates I will start a mandamus.

P.S. Looking for a lawyer, any recommendations?

 

[tripko]

I was planning to proceed with a mandamus application through Abramovich Immigration Law, but the cost is quite high, and unfortunately, I cannot afford it at the moment.

I'm also seeing that even a mandamus application can take up to a year, which is discouraging. I guess I was blindly hoping that this whole situation would come to an end soon, but it seems I was wrong.

Yesterday, I heard back from my MP, but unfortunately, there was nothing new. The response was basically justifying why the process can take so long and how complicated it is.

At this point, I honestly don't know what to think anymore. Apparently, sending people into space is easier than completing a background check.

 

[jmdbsa]

Thanks a lot for your reply, I will check the link.

I understand all that, although I do not know what could have triggered my screening, I get it, they decided to check and they are checking it, whatever.
My problem is with the attitude, I do not ask for a favor, I am simply asking for somethign that is in theory guaranteed to me by Canadian law. I don't need beg them for information, like all this "tell me how many voters in your family or we won't help", what kind of MP even does this?
Honestly this is just disappointing, I wasn't expecting to get this sort of reactions.

I simply cannot understand what sort of backlog can a service have to be unable to reply to ATIP request in 297 days?

I feel like they are mishandling the cases a lot, and there are internal priorities that they won't tell us, maybe they decided that our case isn't important. This sort of things should be public I think, you can't put low priority on my case without telling me at least in a reply so I know what to do.

100% agree. The issue is indeed sysmatic and not simple individual's bad luck. The government often stated in the following ways. Basically, if they do not fund the program, the scenario can not be improved....

'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)

 

[NoWayThisIsHappening]

I was planning to proceed with a mandamus application through Abramovich Immigration Law, but the cost is quite high, and unfortunately, I cannot afford it at the moment.

I'm also seeing that even a mandamus application can take up to a year, which is discouraging. I guess I was blindly hoping that this whole situation would come to an end soon, but it seems I was wrong.

Yesterday, I heard back from my MP, but unfortunately, there was nothing new. The response was basically justifying why the process can take so long and how complicated it is.

At this point, I honestly don't know what to think anymore. Apparently, sending people into space is easier than completing a background check.

There's so many free resources out there that you can explore and tailor it to your specific situation. Even AI tools like Google Gemini and ChatGPT are so helpful and literally can put together a mandamus application for you. I know a lot of people file a writ of mandamus on their own and later represent themselves, and win the case. At the end of the day, it depends on your specific situation, and like I mentioned above, AI tools can certainly help you understand what steps you need to take instead of passively waiting,