Expected processing time for background security checks?

[Joey-Jo]

I'm in the situation where I applied end of February 2024 (outland spousal sponsorship, civil marriage, I'm the applicant, British) and my background check has been in progress since April 2024, which is now well over a year. Everything else has been completed and fine, it's just this that's delaying everything. I applied for GCMS notes in February and Security screening hadn't even been started then. Should I contact IRCC again and order new notes?

I'm getting very despondent as I feel my case is pretty straight forward and the first part went very smoothly. I know from reading in the forum that background check takes the longest and varies from individual to individual, but I do see many cases where some outland applicants are getting their PR cards in six months, which makes me feel even more frustrated as there seems to be no inconsistency in how applications are dealt with.

I'm curious to know if other outland applicants are in the same boat or if they've received their PR yet?

 

[scylla]

I'm in the situation where I applied end of February 2024 (outland spousal sponsorship, civil marriage, I'm the applicant, British) and my background check has been in progress since April 2024, which is now well over a year. Everything else has been completed and fine, it's just this that's delaying everything. I applied for GCMS notes in February and Security screening hadn't even been started then. Should I contact IRCC again and order new notes?

I'm getting very despondent as I feel my case is pretty straight forward and the first part went very smoothly. I know from reading in the forum that background check takes the longest and varies from individual to individual, but I do see many cases where some outland applicants are getting their PR cards in six months, which makes me feel even more frustrated as there seems to be no inconsistency in how applications are dealt with.

I'm curious to know if other outland applicants are in the same boat or if they've received their PR yet?

It's odd you have been stuck in background decks this long. I assume you are a British citizen by birth. Have you lived in any other countries? Any military background or unusual memberships? I would try sending a webform to request status. Your spouse in Canada can also try engaging their MP for help.

 

[Joey-Jo]

It's odd you have been stuck in background decks this long. I assume you are a British citizen by birth. Have you lived in any other countries? Any military background or unusual memberships? I would try sending a webform to request status. Your spouse in Canada can also try engaging their MP for help.

Yes I'm a British citizen by birth. No periods longer than 6 months spent living in other countries, although I did visit USA for up to 6 months at a time between 2011 and beginning of 2014 ( no longer), which is obviously over 10 years prior to making this visa application. No military background or unusual memberships. When I did phone the IRCC early March to ask the status of my application, they said everything was fine with my application including criminality check but it takes time to do the background security check which uses third party companies. My GCMS notes had nothing usual on the security section either, just said it hadn't even been started! It feels like my application is just buried somewhere untouched at the moment. It's frustrating and depressing to say the least. I will call them again tomorrow and also raise another form, although I doubt much will have changed.

Oh I should also add my application is for residing in Quebec although all is fine with that too - I received the CSQ last August 2024 - and also have an OWP. I'm currently in Canada at the moment.

My medical also expired a week or so ago however I haven't received any email to get a new one done, although when I spoke to the agent about that in my phone call he said just wait to see if they require a new one. Maybe they won't require it as I'm already in Canada. I just feel really "in the dark" at the moment about everything.

 

[armoured]

Yes I'm a British citizen by birth. No periods longer than 6 months spent living in other countries, although I did visit USA for up to 6 months at a time between 2011 and beginning of 2014 ( no longer), which is obviously over 10 years prior to making this visa application. No military background or unusual memberships. When I did phone the IRCC early March to ask the status of my applicaiton, they said everything was fine with my application including criminality check but it takes time to do the background security check which uses third party companies. My GCMS notes had nothing usual on the security section either, just said it hadn't even been started! It feels like my application is just buried somewhere untouched at the moment. It's frustrating and depressing to say the least. I will call them again tomorrow and also raise another form, although I doubt much will have changed.

Oh I should also add my application is for residing in Quebec although all is fine with that too - I received the CSQ last August 2024 - and also have an OWP. I'm currently in Canada at the moment.

My medical also expired a week or so ago however I haven't received any email to get a new one done, although when I spoke to the agent about that in my phone call he said just wait to see if they require a new one. Maybe they won't require it as I'm already in Canada. I just feel really "in the dark" at the moment about everything.

Order your GCMS notes and try MP as above.

But it is most likely the Quebec issue.

 

[Joey-Jo]

Order your GCMS notes and try MP as above.

But it is most likely the Quebec issue.

Yes I understand that Quebec applications take longer, although it's weird that my application for that part went completely smoothly and I have had the CSQ for 9 months now and therefore already been accepted. It's all noted on my GCMS notes too.

It's more the security check that's bothering me since it hasn't even been started yet. Anyway thanks I will call them tomorrow to find out what's happening. The agent was reassuring last time but, really, 15 months to do a security check seems a very long time to me.

 

[armoured]

Yes I understand that Quebec applications take longer, although it's weird that my application for that part went completely smoothly and I have had the CSQ for 9 months now and therefore already been accepted. It's all noted on my GCMS notes too.

It's more the security check that's bothering me since it hasn't even been started yet. Anyway thanks I will call them tomorrow to find out what's happening. The agent was reassuring last time but, really, 15 months to do a security check seems a very long time to me.

I personally don't believe those security check flags are reliable. (And I doubt the call centre have any knowledge beyond the flag)

And I also don't believe the CSQ is indicative of actual movement on part of the Quebec government. They seem to effectively be imposing a quota, and Ottawa (alas) playing along.

Make sure to have your spouse complain to your MNA as well. That's actually where the volume should be turned up the loudest.

 

[canuck78]

Yes I understand that Quebec applications take longer, although it's weird that my application for that part went completely smoothly and I have had the CSQ for 9 months now and therefore already been accepted. It's all noted on my GCMS notes too.

It's more the security check that's bothering me since it hasn't even been started yet. Anyway thanks I will call them tomorrow to find out what's happening. The agent was reassuring last time but, really, 15 months to do a security check seems a very long time to me.

Quebec has a yearly quota for spousal sponsorship and that is likely the issue. Are you sure you are not just in a queue? Would post under Quebec section and look at wait times for people who applied for sponsorship in the past few years.

 

[Joey-Jo]

I personally don't believe those security check flags are reliable. (And I doubt the call centre have any knowledge beyond the flag)

And I also don't believe the CSQ is indicative of actual movement on part of the Quebec government. They seem to effectively be imposing a quota, and Ottawa (alas) playing along.

Make sure to have your spouse complain to your MNA as well. That's actually where the volume should be turned up the loudest.

I know they started imposing a "cap" on actual applications for Quebec last June 2024 (my application was sent prior to this so I guess I was lucky, and as I say I received the CSQ in August) but I didn't think it would affect the actual continuing visa application once you receive the CSQ? They can't outright deny me at this point can they? Certainly the IRCC agent mentioned nothing about that, we just talked about the security check side.

My security "due date" was last month by the way, according to the notes.

Ok I guess I'm going to have to make some enquiries this week. I will probably speak to a Quebec immigration lawyer to see if they can throw any light on the Quebec side of things.