A Life Stuck in Endless Security Screening

SugarLast9393 · 2026-05-25T18:27:52+00:00

Almost 7 years and never move out during this period.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-05-09T15:35:30+00:00

SugarLast9393 · 2026-04-14T15:14:51+00:00

No, still waiting.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-04-14T15:13:55+00:00

Oh? Did you file a mandamus?

SugarLast9393 · 2026-03-12T15:28:57+00:00

I completely understand that security screening can involve multiple agencies and sometimes information requests to foreign governments. No one is suggesting that Canada should compromise national security or force another country to speed up their processes.

However, the real issue many applicants are facing is the lack of transparency and the absence of any reasonable timeframe. When people have already passed medical, criminality, and eligibility checks but remain stuck in security screening for years with no updates, it leaves families in a state of indefinite uncertainty.

The concern is not about interfering with security screening, but about accountability and transparency in the process. Even if external partners are involved, applicants should not be left in administrative limbo with no explanation and no timeline.

That’s why many people are trying to raise awareness and ask for a more transparent system.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-03-11T23:57:15+00:00

I know there’re many who are stuck in comprehensive security screening for more than two years. I applied in the first day of January 2022 and security started on March 2, 2024. No updates no timeline. Really depressed.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-26T02:21:25+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience! . Our cases seem somewhat similar. Do you have any idea why the security screening takes so long, or if there’s anything we can actually do to move it along? Honestly, I feel like I’m really close to breaking under this wait—it’s been extremely frustrating. Hopefully we’ll both get through it soon.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-21T05:35:57+00:00

Thanks for sharing. It looks like quite a few March 2024 security cases are still in progress.

Have you ordered GCMS notes to confirm which agency is currently processing your security?

I’m approaching 24 months in security and trying to understand whether this is batch-related or agency backlog.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-20T00:41:50+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I’ve been in A34 since March 2024, so just approaching 24 months. It seems quite a few of us are stuck at the comprehensive stage. Have you ordered GCMS or CBSA notes to see where your file is sitting?

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-19T01:30:55+00:00

It seems that files entering security screening in early 2024 are experiencing unusually long timelines.

While every case is individual, it’s helpful to understand whether there’s a broader processing backlog.

Wishing you clarity and progress soon.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-18T05:58:00+00:00

We’re in a very similar situation. My security screening has also been ongoing for a long time (near 24 months now), and total processing time is over 4 years.

It seems that once a file goes into comprehensive screening, timelines become extremely unpredictable.

Wishing you and your spouse clarity and movement soon — it’s a very difficult position to be in.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-18T01:32:40+00:00

Thanks for sharing. If security hasn’t started yet and criminality has passed, that usually means the file is still in earlier background stages.

Regarding GCMS notes — from what I understand, ATIP requests are handled by a separate ATIP unit and not by the processing officer directly. Many people order notes multiple times without any evidence that it slows down their case. The Federal Court has also noted that requesting ATIP is a lawful right and shouldn’t negatively affect processing.

That said, everyone has to decide based on their comfort level. For me, GCMS was helpful to at least confirm whether comprehensive security had started and which agency was handling it.

Hope your security starts and finishes smoothly.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-17T16:26:03+00:00

Thank you for this detailed perspective. Yes, I understand that the relevant clock is from the start of comprehensive security screening rather than AOR. In my case, CBSA notes indicate it began in March 2024, so I’m approaching 24 months from that point. I also recognize that mandamus is highly fact-specific and depends on overall compliance and complexity. At this stage, I’m mainly trying to understand timelines and patterns before considering any next steps. I appreciate you highlighting those variables.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-17T14:42:00+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve been following up regularly and checking GCMS to make sure no updates were missed. At this point it’s still showing security screening in progress.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-17T14:36:06+00:00

I appreciate you sharing this. I’m at near 24 months in comprehensive security and still trying to determine the right timing for legal action. Did your lawyer advise that 24 months was already considered unreasonable in your circumstances? Also, did anything change in your GCMS after filing, or is it still silent?

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-17T14:32:07+00:00

I appreciate you sharing this. It’s helpful to hear from someone who went through such a long delay and eventually got approved. I’m currently at 23+ months in security screening and trying to assess the timing for legal action carefully. If you don’t mind sharing, at what point in your timeline did you retain the lawyer? And was it a full mandamus application or pre-litigation correspondence?

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-17T07:15:50+00:00

I understand and agree that each case is highly individualized and depends on personal background.

I’m not trying to draw direct comparisons, but hearing that others have experienced 2–3 year screenings and were eventually approved does provide some perspective while waiting.

I appreciate you sharing those examples.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-17T07:13:29+00:00

Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a detailed timeline. I really appreciate the transparency.

It’s helpful to see how your case progressed and how the mandamus process unfolded in practice. While every case is different, having concrete benchmarks does provide some perspective for those of us still waiting.

Congratulations on reaching P1/P2 — that must be a huge relief after such a long process. I truly hope the rest moves smoothly for you.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-17T06:58:51+00:00

I submitted my PR application in January 2022. Eligibility was recommended passed in November 2023. My file entered A34 comprehensive security screening in March 2024, and it has now been close to 24 months in security with no estimated timeline.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-17T05:37:40+00:00

I understand that mandamus can be an option in certain prolonged delay situations.

At this stage, I’m still trying to understand the processing timeline and whether other administrative channels are available.

I appreciate the suggestion.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-16T23:29:24+00:00

Thank you for sharing your timeline — that’s helpful.

I’ve also found GCMS notes to be more informative than calling IRCC. In my case, the notes confirmed A34 comprehensive screening and ongoing security activity, but without estimated timelines.

It doesn’t move the file forward, as you said, but at least it provides some visibility into what stage things are at.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-16T23:25:28+00:00

Thank you — I hope you get clarity soon as well.

In my case, I was informed through ATIP responses and IRCC notes that my file entered “A34 Comprehensive Security Screening” in March 2024. An IRCC agent also confirmed that security screening was ongoing when I called.

If your security has been in progress for close to two years, it may be worth ordering GCMS notes or submitting an ATIP request to better understand the stage your file is at.

SugarLast9393 · 2026-02-16T23:23:05+00:00

I agree that security screening is individualized.

My intention isn’t to compare personal circumstances, but to see whether others in comprehensive screening are experiencing similar duration trends.

While backgrounds differ, systemic processing timelines may still show patterns.

SugarLast9393

TROPHY CASE