Canadian immigration’s security screening process requires all applicants to go through a detailed background verification. This security screening process ensures that these applicants will not threaten Canadian society. Canadian officials will make sure that they conduct a detailed verification before you arrive in Canada. Only after this crucial step will they make a final decision on your application.
Overall, three federal bodies come together to carry on this immigration and citizenship security screening:
- Canada Border Services Agency – CBSA
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service – CSIS
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – IRCC
Canadian Immigration’s security screening process – CBSA
CBSA is in charge of offering integrated border services that meet public safety and national security priorities. Their duties include holding persons who might threaten Canada, expelling those who are barred from entering the country, and looking into those who breach the IRPA or are suspected of committing crimes.
Additionally, the CBSA assesses visitors, immigrants, and refugees applying for entry into Canada. Anyone 18 years of age or older who applies for immigration or claims refugee status has their background checked by the CBSA.
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
The role of CSIS is to examine the applicant’s background to assess if he is capable of any activity that might pose a threat to Canada’s security in the future. Further, they must report it to the Canadian government.
The CSIS Act consists of section 14 and provides legal permission to CSIS to collect details associated with criminal background or security. However, these must be relevant to the function or duties under the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act.
Section 15 of the CSIS Act legally permits CSIS to hold investigations to fulfill the objective of offering security assessments. Both sections (14 and 15) enable CSIS to hold security screenings for applicants seeking Canadian admission through IRCC.
CSIS – Section 34
Section 34 of the CSIS Act is associated with inadmissibility due to security aspects. This section clearly states that a permanent resident or foreign national becomes ineligible for Canadian admissibility due to security reasons. They’re as follows:
- Engaging in espionage against Canada or Canadian interests;
- Acting in or encouraging the overthrow of any government through force;
- Engaging in terrorism, endangering Canada’s security, committing violent acts that could endanger the lives or safety of Canadians,
- Or belonging to a group that there is reason to believe engages in, has engaged in, or will engage in the above-mentioned acts of subversion against a democratic government, institution, or process as those terms are understood in Canada.
Security checks are primarily carried out to identify candidates who are or have engaged in illicit activity, subversion, terrorism, or who pose a significant threat to Canadian society.
Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada
IRCC collaborates closely with these other federal agencies to carry out their screening procedure. The department collaborates with CSIS and CBSA, who have access to global databases, to implement IRPA regulations and decide if an individual is eligible for immigration.
CSIS or CBSA does not decide on a visa application. Instead, the IRCC receives its security assessment, examines it independently, and decides whether to approve the application after consulting CSIS.
Canadian immigration’s screening process – what to provide?
The applicants will require to submit certain documents for security and background verification. They’re as follows:
- Your recent photograph and biometrics;
- Medical examination and health record outcomes;
- An authentic and valid passport; and
- Police Clearance Certificate
Essentially, all applicants must submit the Police Clearance Certificate, which they will need to receive from their present country of residence. Also, they will need to obtain it from every country where they must have lived for over six months since they turned 18 years old.
Notably, there is a clear distinction between a Police Clearance Certificate and a Security Clearance. The security clearance doesn’t require any active participation from the applicant in the process.
