April 2021 - Citizenship applications

[mohoozee]

Hey guys, Montreal office seemingly woke up (had no updates since taking the test mid-December) and they're asking for passport scans, seemingly specifically because I had said that I don't live in Canada anymore. They're requesting me to first come back, and then send the passport scans - including the info pertaining to my trip back. Do I really have to return first? I live and work in the US now and have no plans to come back permanently. I understand that they want me to physically be present for the oath but I could come on short notice when they actually invite me to take the oath. It seems futile to make plans to come back for a week or two just to physically be in Canada when replying to the email, and then go back to the US right after.

Also, in case I don't have to go back to Canada, will it be possible to just do the translation process online (from here) without physically presenting the docs to a translation agency? I think I'd rather do that then go through the process of finding a translator here and then have them sign an affidavit.

I really need help on this one - I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation! Thank you!

It's the first time I'm hearing this especially since the "intent to reside in Canada" has been removed from the latest iteration of the citizenship act. Sure, you have to be physically present in Canada for the oath but you are no longer compelled to be in Canada at any other time during the application process (citizenship test/interview used to require physical presence in Canada but not since the advent of online test/interview).

If I were you, I'd just send them the scan documents they requested (how would they determine if it was sent from Canada?) and plan to come around for the oath itself.

Here are the details of the translation service I used for all my documents and all interactions and transactions happened electronically without you or your documents being physically verified:

CTS Translation Service
918 Dundas Street East, Suite 304
Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4H9
905-270-9991 l info@translationcts.com
www.translationcts.com

Good luck.

 

[aman_78671]

Got an update on the online tracker today for citizenship Test status. It's now showing "Completed"
Language, Physical presence and Prohibitions are still in progress.

What's the next step from here?

 

[aman_78671]

Only BG and Test is complete
Rest all are “In progress”
Citizenship oath is “Not started”

I heard London office is slow. Let’s see.

Are there any further updates on your application after the citizenship test is completed?
Language, Physical Presence, Prohibitions etc.?

 

[feliznavidad]

Certificate received! On to passport application.

Single, online applicant, Montreal office
Submitted: Apr 15, 2021
AOR: Aug 24, 2021
Test approved: Nov 16, 2021
BG completed: Jan 24,2022
Language, physical presence, prohibitions: Feb 3, 2022
Oath tracker update: Feb 15, 2022
Oath email: Feb 21, 2022
Oath: Mar4, 2022
File closed: Mar 9, 2022
Certificate received: Mar 22, 2022.

 

[Nocturno]

If I were you, I'd just send them the scan documents they requested (how would they determine if it was sent from Canada?) and plan to come around for the oath itself.

Thanks so much for your reply, @mohoozee!

The letter I received requested me to provide entry stamps for my trip *back* to Canada, so this is how they would know I guess. But I can proceed and use the online translation service, and write them a reply referencing IRCC's own page stating that applicants do not need to be physically present in Canada until the conclusion of the process. I'm really hoping that this is just a matter of this particular IRCC case worker using an old email template. I did read about a similar situation here before, but that was specifically after an applicant requested an oath reschedule due to being away from Canada, which was not what I did.

 

[mohoozee]

Thanks so much for your reply, @mohoozee!

The letter I received requested me to provide entry stamps for my trip *back* to Canada, so this is how they would know I guess. But I can proceed and use the online translation service, and write them a reply referencing IRCC's own page stating that applicants do not need to be physically present in Canada until the conclusion of the process. I'm really hoping that this is just a matter of this particular IRCC case worker using an old email template. I did read about a similar situation here before, but that was specifically after an applicant requested an oath reschedule due to being away from Canada, which was not what I did.

They no longer stamp your passport if use the self-service option upon entry as Canadian citizen/PR (at least this is true for Toronto Pearson as at mid to late 2021) but I do take your point that they will know if they really want to (by requisitioning CBSA for your travel logs for instance).

You're probably right that it is a case of an overzealous officer using an outdated e-mail template. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Fa2]

Certificate received! On to passport application.

Single, online applicant, Montreal office
Submitted: Apr 15, 2021
AOR: Aug 24, 2021
Test approved: Nov 16, 2021
BG completed: Jan 24,2022
Language, physical presence, prohibitions: Feb 3, 2022
Oath tracker update: Feb 15, 2022
Oath email: Feb 21, 2022
Oath: Mar4, 2022
File closed: Mar 9, 2022
Certificate received: Mar 22, 2022.

Congrats

 

[cococly]

Hey guys, Montreal office seemingly woke up (had no updates since taking the test mid-December) and they're asking for passport scans, seemingly specifically because I had said that I don't live in Canada anymore. They're requesting me to first come back, and then send the passport scans - including the info pertaining to my trip back. Do I really have to return first? I live and work in the US now and have no plans to come back permanently. I understand that they want me to physically be present for the oath but I could come on short notice when they actually invite me to take the oath. It seems futile to make plans to come back for a week or two just to physically be in Canada when replying to the email, and then go back to the US right after.

Also, in case I don't have to go back to Canada, will it be possible to just do the translation process online (from here) without physically presenting the docs to a translation agency? I think I'd rather do that then go through the process of finding a translator here and then have them sign an affidavit.

I really need help on this one - I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation! Thank you!

My primary processing is MTL too. Can you share your timeline? When did you apply for Citizenship and when did you take the citizenship test?

 

[andy_J]

Paperbased Application
Submitted: Feb 7th 2022
AOR: Mar 17th 2022
BG completed, Language, physical presence, prohibitions: In Progress

 

[RJ2020]

Same as my application. I wonder what’s happening in Vancouver office. Seems like they are working from home.

I’m a Vancouver February paper applicant. No update since my background verification was completed. Nothing since October 2021. Not even test invite.

Application delivered by mail: February 9, 2021
AOR: April 13, 2021
Fingerprint required: September 15, 2021
Fingerprint received: October 28, 2021
Background verification status updated to completed: October 29, 2021
Last update: October 29, 2021

 

[RJ2020]

Paperbased Application
Submitted: Feb 7th 2022
AOR: Mar 17th 2022
BG completed, Language, physical presence, prohibitions: In Progress

Have you taken the test?

 

[Nocturno]

My primary processing is MTL too. Can you share your timeline? When did you apply for Citizenship and when did you take the citizenship test?

Sure, looking at yours, they are very similar. Here's mine:
4/20 - submitted my application
8/28 - AOR
12/3 - test invitation
12/16 - taken the test (results updated on the tracker soon after)
1/25 - background check completed
3/22 - passport scans requested (and they're explicitly asking me to return to Canada - contacted IRCC about that)

Hoping for the best, am still somewhat concerned about the last update. I can't leave my job here in the US and I shouldn't be asked to.

 

[Fa2]

@Mike@ raultest
I just have updated today very thing completely on 22 March but i saw it march 23 March, except oath ceremony not started

 

[MikeEH]

@Mike@ raultest
I just have updated today very thing completely on 22 March but i saw it march 23 March, except oath ceremony not started

Congratulations!
I still don’t see any updates

 

[MowNneA]

Please update tracker
Received notification today for oath ceremony.
Ceremony Date: April 8th 2022

Thanks!