A34 completed for me, but the dependent PR background check is still "In Progress", anyone else in the same situation?

[Jozef001]

Hey everyone,​

Just wanted to share my timeline and see if anyone has had a similar experience.

Application submitted: Feb 17, 2024

AOR: June 17, 2024

Background check (A34) started: around Aug 2024

My A34 (principal applicant): completed on April 23, 2026

Dependent (spouse): background check still in progress (A34 not completed yet)

Everything else for my spouse seems done (criminality, biometrics, info sharing), but only A34 is still pending.

Has anyone been in a similar situation where:

principal applicant A34 is done,

but dependent is still stuck in background/security screening?

If yes, how long did it take after that for final approval or movement?

Just trying to understand if this is a normal delay at this stage or if it usually takes much longer for dependents.

Thanks in advance

 

[tripko]

Im also stuck at background check (A34 SS) from end of November 2023, My AOR is April 4, 2023 and I did submit my aplication
on Feb 28, 2023. So long long long time ago.

 

[Jozef001]

Im also stuck at background check (A34 SS) from end of November 2023, My AOR is April 4, 2023 and I did submit my aplication
on Feb 28, 2023. So long long long time ago.

omg that's a long wait. If you don't mind, what is your nationality and what they asked as an ADR?

 

[tripko]

I’m originally from Serbia and what I know is that they are review of my military records.
Just to clarify, I didn’t serve in the regular army, I completed my civilian service instead, working with an association for people with disabilities.
I dont know what to say.

 

[Jozef001]

I’m originally from Serbia and what I know is that they are review of my military records.
Just to clarify, I didn’t serve in the regular army, I completed my civilian service instead, working with an association for people with disabilities.
I dont know what to say.

Sorry to hear that. Have you tried a mandamus?

 

[tripko]

I will need to use a layer to file a mandamus, since this is truly a nightmare.
but it will so costly around 5k.

 

[Copingwithlife]

I will need to use a layer to file a mandamus, since this is truly a nightmare.
but it will so costly around 5k.

You want to force the Government to make a decision on your background checks ?
They hold all the cards . They then can just go ahead and refuse the application.
They won’t approve it unless you’re cleared
People gotta stop thinking that filing a mandamus will suddenly give an approval

 

[Jozef001]

You want to force the Government to make a decision on your background checks ?
They hold all the cards . They then can just go ahead and refuse the application.
They won’t approve it unless you’re cleared
People gotta stop thinking that filing a mandamus will suddenly give an approval

Could you please clarify more? Thanks!

 

[Copingwithlife]

Could you please clarify more? Thanks!

Filing a mandamus basically would force the Government to make a decision. The IRCC cannot clear someone if they haven’t cleared a security background. The Government can just deny the application. The courts aren’t going to make the Government approve it if security hasn’t passed

 

[tripko]

You want to force the Government to make a decision on your background checks ?
They hold all the cards . They then can just go ahead and refuse the application.
They won’t approve it unless you’re cleared
People gotta stop thinking that filing a mandamus will suddenly give an approval

I just want this get over it.

 

[Jozef001]

Filing a mandamus basically would force the Government to make a decision. The IRCC cannot clear someone if they haven’t cleared a security background. The Government can just deny the application. The courts aren’t going to make the Government approve it if security hasn’t passed

Yes and no.

Why “no”? Because sometimes IRCC finalizes and clears an application even before the hearing happens, in some cases within a month after a mandamus is filed, if the timeline strongly favors the applicant. I’ve also seen cases where security screening by third parties was still ongoing when the mandamus was submitted.

That said, the delay usually has to be clearly unreasonable. For example, some non-Express Entry PR applicants with AORs from 2021 are still waiting in 2026. I know people from countries like China, Iran, and Russia who are still waiting for final decisions.

So with mandamus, you can’t always assume what IRCC says about timelines. Even when comprehensive checks are supposedly still ongoing, somehow IRCC/CBSA/CSIS sometimes end up finalizing the application after mandamus pressure is applied.

(Not Legal advice, please do your own due diligence)