Background check length for non-Canadians?

[mahagar]

Heya,
Im applying to reserves infantry (1st choice, then combat engineer and armoured recon if that plays any role) and I was told by a recruiter that for non-canadians (which is my case, I am a PR, originally from EU) and canadians who lived outside of canada for significant amount of time the background check can take much longer, up to 2 years.
I lived in multiple countries in the past 10 years, clean records - all of that I have written out in my initial application.
So what Im wondering is how was your experience with the length? Especially non-canadians. Did you face any issues/extra steps throughout the process?

Thanks

 

[BurmeseRain9]

After you go to the recruitment office, fill out your stuff. After a few months (or which was the case for me) you get a mail from DND asking you to fill more documents (which you now have an idea of, but they are more detailed)
For me, I only LIVED in one country prior to moving here but did travel a lot. It took me 8 months to get cleared and another few here and there to finally move to BMQ. Overall 2 years

More countries you have listed as your stays, longer it'll take.

 

[mahagar]

wow thats really an insanely long time

 

[TimeLord]

For those who have PR, the system has changed a bit, You can join the army without full security clearance and the security clearance continues in the background while you are in the army, The purpose of this is to speed up PR applications in the army.

 

[mahagar]

For those who have PR, the system has changed a bit, You can join the army without full security clearance and the security clearance continues in the background while you are in the army, The purpose of this is to speed up PR applications in the army.

if thats the case it would be great. I just dont recall whether my recruiter mentioned this or not, but regardless thats uplifting news!

EDIT: whats the difference between background check and security clearance?

 

[TimeLord]

background check ,checks that the information you provide is correct and that there is no criminal record, Security clearance allows the state to work and take part in goverments critical affairs.