Security Screening in Canadian Immigration: Procedure, Deadlines, Case Monitoring, and Practical Recommendations

Security Screening is a standard but at the same time non-transparent part of the Canadian immigration process. This is a complex, multi-level procedure that involves several Canadian government agencies and can significantly affect the overall processing time of your application.

A key feature of Security Screening is that applicants rarely receive direct notifications about the start or completion of this process. Information about the status of screening can only be obtained by analyzing IRCC, CBSA, or CSIS notes, or through indirect signs visible in the application tracker.

The timing of Security Screening is highly variable. The process can last from several months to up to a year and a half, and the IRCC system often does not update case statuses in real time.

For those who want to maintain control over their application and properly understand the procedural stages, it is essential to know how the system operates, which agencies are involved, how to react to delays, and what legal tools are available for case monitoring.

Legal Structure and Agencies Involved in Security Screening

Security Screening is conducted jointly by several Canadian government agencies. The process is initiated by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) when enhanced security verification of the applicant is deemed necessary.

The following agencies are involved:

• IRCC — Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (initiates the screening);
• CBSA — Canada Border Services Agency (conducts the operational part of the screening);
• CSIS — Canadian Security Intelligence Service (conducts analytical risk assessment).

The standard workflow of the process:

1. IRCC sends a formal screening request to CBSA;
2. CBSA simultaneously cooperates with CSIS;
3. CSIS conducts analytical work and provides its findings to CBSA;
4. CBSA consolidates results and prepares the final report for IRCC;
5. IRCC makes the final decision on the future processing of the case.

Once the screening is launched, CBSA coordinates cooperation with CSIS, which performs an in-depth analytical review of biographical information, possible links to risky organizations, military service history, and other factors that may indicate a potential threat to Canada.

Upon completion of its assessment, CSIS transmits its conclusions to CBSA, which consolidates the information and forwards a final report to IRCC.

The procedure is designed so that CBSA and CSIS work in parallel. Therefore, even if there is visible progress reflected in CBSA notes, it does not always indicate that the entire security screening process has been finalized.

How to Recognize Security Screening and Monitor Your Case

In most cases, applicants do not receive direct notifications regarding the launch of Security Screening. However, there are typical signs that may suggest the process has started.

For applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker program, the following indicators may signal that Security Screening has begun:

• Receiving a request to complete the extended IMM 5669 form (Schedule A);
• A request to submit military service documentation or a CV;
• No updates in the “Background Verification” section of the application tracker for more than two weeks following the above requests.

Monitoring the Case:

Applicants can monitor the status of their case by requesting official notes from IRCC, CBSA, or CSIS, which are available free of charge through the ATIP system. CBSA notes tend to be more detailed and often provide clearer insights into the progress of screening.

The typical stages reflected in CBSA notes include:

• In Progress — the initial registration of the screening;
• Received by CBSA — the case has been officially received by CBSA;
• In Progress by CBSA — active work by CBSA, usually recorded 3 to 9 months after the process begins;
• Favourable — final, positive completion of the screening.

It is important to note that even after the appearance of the “In Progress by CBSA” status, CSIS may still be conducting its part of the assessment, as both agencies operate independently. CBSA notes do not always reflect the complete scope or conclusion of security screening.

Screening Timelines and Specific Considerations for High-Risk Applicants

In practice, the full cycle of Security Screening generally lasts between 10 to 16 months, starting from the initiation of the process. However, timelines can vary considerably depending on several factors, including:

• The applicant’s country of origin;
• The complexity of biographical history;
• Military or political background;
• The current workload of CBSA and CSIS.

Applicants from Iran, China, Russia, and recently Ukraine, are more likely to undergo extended Security Screening. This is directly related to ongoing geopolitical risks and evolving international security concerns.

The Relationship Between Security Screening and Medical Examination

The medical examination is a separate procedural stage that is formally independent from Security Screening. Nonetheless, there are scenarios where the two processes intersect indirectly.

Key considerations:

IRCC may decide to automatically extend the validity period of an applicant’s medical examination for both in-Canada and out-of-Canada applicants. Such an extension does not indicate the completion of Security Screening and is solely a technical decision made by IRCC’s medical division, provided there are no significant changes to the applicant’s health status.

However, if an applicant receives a request for a repeated medical examination (remedical), this often signals that the main checks, including security screening, have been completed, and the case is approaching its final stage — the potential issuance of a Passport Request (PPR).

Practical Case Monitoring, IRCC Tracker, and Technical Considerations

The IRCC system operates in a semi-automatic mode, which must be considered when tracking case progress.

For example, if an IRCC officer defers review of a file for 30 days, even if the applicant submits additional requested documents early, the case will not be reviewed until the system-designated period has elapsed.

Additional technical details:

• The IRCC application tracker is generally updated daily at 5:00 p.m. Kyiv time;
• Delays or system glitches may cause the tracker to remain unchanged for several days or weeks;
• Applicants can contact IRCC free of charge using the Fongo app;
• The recommended time to call IRCC is between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Kyiv time;
• It is important to note that contacting IRCC does not guarantee immediate updates in the tracker, and the absence of changes the following day may be due to technical delays rather than a lack of case progress.

Financial and Procedural Considerations for Entering Canada After Case Approval

It is legally crucial to consider that the date of your physical entry into Canada carries tax implications.

If your case is approved toward the end of the calendar year, it is recommended to plan your entry for January of the following year. This will help you avoid the obligation to file a Canadian tax return for the year you formally obtained resident status, even if your physical presence in Canada only commenced in December.

Conclusions

Security Screening is a complex, multi-level procedure that thousands of immigration applicants, especially from high-risk countries, undergo as part of the Canadian immigration process.

The process can extend for over a year, often with no visible updates in the tracker, requiring continuous monitoring through official IRCC, CBSA, and CSIS notes.

Proactively monitoring your case, understanding the structure of the process, timely ordering of official notes, and identifying indirect signs of progress significantly reduces the risk of delays and improves your ability to navigate expected processing timelines.

For effective management of your immigration case, it is highly recommended to seek assistance from professional consultants who can:

• Analyze your documentation;
• Interpret official notes;
• Clarify the real-time status of your Security Screening.

Need help monitoring your Security Screening process, analyzing notes, or preparing documents for IRCC? Contact our team for comprehensive legal support tailored to your case.