Background check
From Immipedia
Background check
There is little detail on what background checks actually entail, most of the information is hearsay and personal opinion.
Background checks begin shortly after the application is logged, typically checks are conducted in parallel to the application processing without applicant's participation.
Some visa offices send requests for security checks to CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) after a selection decision is made, others request the checks when the preliminary assessment is positive.
Background checks are also performed to see if the applicant or any of the dependents may be involved in espionage or terrorism activities, or be of any other danger to Canada.
Background check timing is variable, the duration of the check can be impacted by such factors as membership of political organizations, military service, foreign trips, etc.
Notes about Immigration and Citizenship Screening from CSIS
While Canada's long and valued tradition of welcoming immigrants and visitors continues, Canada and its allies must maintain a heightened and sustained vigilance to counter acts of political or religiously motivated violence and espionage, all of which constitute a threat to our personal and national security, including our economic security. Maintaining the integrity of the immigration system is a vital part of strengthening Canada's security environment.
The objective of CSIS's Immigration and Citizenship Screening Program is to prevent non-Canadians who pose security risks from entering or receiving status in Canada. The program is founded on the security-related criteria contained in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Citizenship Act; therefore, CSIS provides security advice regarding immigration and citizenship matters to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CSIS also conducts security screening of Canadian visa applicants and prospective immigrants in cases where the applicant presents potential security concerns.
