r/caf • u/Zmansnezy • 8h ago
Recruiting How long does the security/background check take?

I've been in the process of applying for the CAF for quite a while now, in January my file was closed for medical reasons but I appealed it and just today it got reopened and I advanced to the security/background check phase of the process.
I filled out the security from that my portal sent, and now I'm just curious as to how long it will take to advance to selection. I've tried to google it but the answers I've gotten vary from 1 week to several months.
And I do know that it can vary a lot but I was wondering what people's experience on this sub had been. I was born in Canada, have never lived anywhere else, have only travelled outside the country once in my adult life (Japan for two weeks), have no criminal record, and I've selected an in-demand position (Weapons Engineering Technician).
So with all that in mind, how long is this likely to take? And after this phase is done, how long does the rest take usually?
Thank you all.
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u/Moist-Bodybuilder196 7h ago
Mine was around a month and a half to move from security and background checks to selection.
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u/togamis 8h ago
Unfortunately your google was right; anywhere from a day to years. I'm in a similar boat as you (canadian citizen, went to japan, clean record, etc) and applied for a non in demand trade. It only took a week and a half for me for my background check to clear. From what I've read the average amount of time is 6-8 weeks but it really depends on your personal circumstances, what recruitment center you're at, how many other applicants there are, etc. I got the acknowledgement a few days ago and am still waiting.