Seeking Advice: Canadian Visitor Visa Application Stuck in Security Screening for Over 5 Years

[Mark A.]

Hello,

I am reaching out to seek advice from anyone who may have experienced a similar situation with a Canadian temporary resident visa (visitor visa) application, particularly one involving an extended security screening process.

My father’s first visitor visa application was submitted in 2021, but it became stuck in security screening, with no final decision. We submitted a new application in 2024, hoping for a different outcome, but unfortunately, we are facing the same situation again.

After waiting for years, I requested GCMS notes to better understand the reason for the delay. The notes indicate that, after multiple attempts, there were issues obtaining acceptable-quality fingerprints. I also contacted my Member of Parliament, who confirmed that the application is still undergoing security screening and that there is currently nothing they can do to move it forward.


For additional context, my father served in the Armed Forces and held a senior-ranking position. He has an honorable and clean record, and there is nothing in his background that we are aware of that would explain this prolonged delay.

At this point, I am honestly not sure what else I can do. We have been waiting for more than five years, with no clear explanation or timeline.

Has anyone experienced something similar, particularly with security screening or fingerprint-related issues? Were you able to resolve it, and if so, what steps did you take?

I would really appreciate any advice, recommendations, or suggestions on how to move this forward. Thank you in advance.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[wakeel_uae]

Five years is a very long time, and with a military background the security screening can drag on even when there is nothing adverse in the file, so the fingerprint quality issue flagged in the GCMS notes is worth chasing first. If you have not already done so, ask for fresh biometrics to be taken and request new GCMS notes, as a clean set of prints sometimes unblocks a file that has been sitting for years. Beyond that, a mandamus application is the step people usually take when the MP and webforms get nowhere, though it is worth getting a short consultation with an immigration lawyer before filing one.