Citizenship Application - October 2021 - Test is NOT scheduled after 21 months

[gustoronto]

I submitted my online citizenship application from Toronto on October 10, 2021, AOR Jan 4,2022, and the background check was completed in June 2022, but no more updates since last year June. I do not know anyone else with this long processing time. Not sure what to do. Any time I submit the Webform or call them, general BS is provided that "Your files are under process!".


I contacted MP, they seem to not do anything else rather than calling them asking what is going on, hearing back the same thing, and getting back to me with the same BS.

So, really frustrating for me. Does anyone else have the same problem?
Does anyone know any other than the usual way that I understand what is going on in my application or call a number I can inquire about?

 

[Wacky1.nash]

I submitted my online citizenship application from Toronto on October 10, 2021, AOR Jan 4,2022, and the background check was completed in June 2022, but no more updates since last year June. I do not know anyone else with this long processing time. Not sure what to do. Any time I submit the Webform or call them, general BS is provided that "Your files are under process!".


I contacted MP, they seem to not do anything else rather than calling them asking what is going on, hearing back the same thing, and getting back to me with the same BS.

So, really frustrating for me. Does anyone else have the same problem?
Does anyone know any other than the usual way that I understand what is going on in my application or call a number I can inquire about?

I submitted on Oct 31, 2021 (3 weeks after you), and I was exactly in your position until a month ago. I too didn’t know anyone else who had not received test so long after submitting my application.

My application was being processed in Sydney. After the 15 month mark, I followed up on my app a LOT. I contacted MP, ordered GCMS notes, called every few weeks. Blank wall each time. My ATIP request (first of which I submitted in Aug 2022) was ignored as well.

Finally, I received my GCMS notes from CBSA on Feb 2023. It revealed some errors in my application. This included noting Cambodia as my country of origin, a wrong phone number. It also included a note “ No Canadian address provided. Sent to program support per policy.” This was noted in June 2022. My file had been with program support gathering dust.

I submitted an urgent processing request because administrative error is grounds for UP. Don’t think it was accepted.

I also so called and asked if I needed to provide a Canadian address (I live in the states). I actually asked many times (even before I saw this note, even before I applied). I sent webform asking this question. I asked through my MP as well. Each time I received an equivocal “no, we have everything we need. Your file is processing normally, and there is nothing needed from you at this time.”

Well, turned out they LIED!

In May 2023, I got an email from Sydney program support (11 months after they noticed it) that they needed a Canadian address, and that because I hadn’t provided one my file was taken out of processing.

So I sent a Canadian address that same day, and the file has been moving since then. I received my test invite in June and it cleared on June 19…

So that is my story.

Have you ordered GCMS notes?

 

[gustoronto]

Have you ordered GCMS notes?

Many thanks for sharing your story. No, I was not aware of the GCMS option and I am going to apply for it now. By the way, which option I should select from below? should I select Status update ... (the first option)?

 

[Wacky1.nash]

Many thanks for sharing your story. No, I was not aware of the GCMS option and I am going to apply for it now. By the way, which option I should select from below? should I select Status update ... (the first option)?

Status update….

order them from both IRCC and CBSA. Choose under privacy act and it will be free.

You will have to wait to receive the notes. Sometimes they never send it at all…. But keep applying every 60 days or so…

 

[gustoronto]

Status update….

order them from both IRCC and CBSA. Choose under privacy act and it will be free.

You will have to wait to receive the notes. Sometimes they never send it at all…. But keep applying every 60 days or so…

I just received GCMS notes I ordered the same day you mentioned, and nothing special I can find on them rather than the following:
App Status: On Hold without providing any reason (blank).

What do you think is going on? What do you suggest as next step?


Request Date: 2023/07/24
APPLICATION: ------------
Created Date: 2022/01/04
Updated Date: 2023/07/11
Request Date: 2023/07/24
Primary Office: Scarborough Citizenship Operations
Secondary Office: CPC Sydney
Event Office:
Event Jurisdiction:
App#: -----------
App Status: On Hold
App Status Reason:
Signed On: 2021/10/10
Rec'd Date: 2021/10/10

 

[forw.jane]

I just received GCMS notes I ordered the same day you mentioned, and nothing special I can find on them rather than the following:
App Status: On Hold without providing any reason (blank).

What do you think is going on? What do you suggest as next step?


Request Date: 2023/07/24
APPLICATION: ------------
Created Date: 2022/01/04
Updated Date: 2023/07/11
Request Date: 2023/07/24
Primary Office: Scarborough Citizenship Operations
Secondary Office: CPC Sydney
Event Office:
Event Jurisdiction:
App#: -----------
App Status: On Hold
App Status Reason:
Signed On: 2021/10/10
Rec'd Date: 2021/10/10

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/admininistration/general-file-processing/procedure-suspending-applications.html

Do you think anything of what is mentioned in above link is applicable for you?

 

[gustoronto]

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/admininistration/general-file-processing/procedure-suspending-applications.html

Do you think anything of what is mentioned in the above link is applicable to you?

I believe none of them is applicable especially since the background check was completed in June 2022. It is also "on hold", not suspended if they are different

 

[Wacky1.nash]

I just received GCMS notes I ordered the same day you mentioned, and nothing special I can find on them rather than the following:
App Status: On Hold without providing any reason (blank).

What do you think is going on? What do you suggest as next step?


Request Date: 2023/07/24
APPLICATION: ------------
Created Date: 2022/01/04
Updated Date: 2023/07/11
Request Date: 2023/07/24
Primary Office: Scarborough Citizenship Operations
Secondary Office: CPC Sydney
Event Office:
Event Jurisdiction:
App#: -----------
App Status: On Hold
App Status Reason:
Signed On: 2021/10/10
Rec'd Date: 2021/10/10

Just as I guessed - your application IS on hold.

Have you ever informed IRCC of leaving Canada for vacation or otherwise? That is one reason applications are put on hold.

What does it say against "Location" on your notes? That would tell you what department it is with.

The reason has been redacted... So frustrating...

 

[gustoronto]

Just as I guessed - your application IS on hold.

Have you ever informed IRCC of leaving Canada for vacation or otherwise? That is one reason applications are put on hold.

What does it say against "Location" on your notes? That would tell you what department it is with.

The reason has been redacted... So frustrating...

What is written as follows:

Location: E-Grant Follow-up

Since 2016, I did not leave Canada. The only time I did it was when I did multiple flag poles in Niagara to be able to receive PR sooner in October 2019 because they grant it after 2.5 years of submitting my application and contacting MP multiple times, and it was a frustrating process as well. After the last flag pole that I could finally receive PR on the last try, I did not travel outside Canada as well.

I am now waiting for CBSA records. Anything else I can do at this point?

 

[Wacky1.nash]

What is written as follows:

Location: E-Grant Follow-up

Since 2016, I did not leave Canada. The only time I did it was when I did multiple flag poles in Niagara to be able to receive PR sooner in October 2019 because they grant it after 2.5 years of submitting my application and contacting MP multiple times, and it was a frustrating process as well. After the last flag pole that I could finally receive PR on the last try, I did not travel outside Canada as well.

I am now waiting for CBSA records. Anything else I can do at this point?

I am not sure what flag poles refer to. Could you explain?

If you crossed the border multiple times in 2019 (which falls in your eligibility period) over a short period that may have triggered some red flags and could possibly be the reason for the hold.

The location of my file while it was on hold was "E-Grant Program Support." Not entirely sure what "E-Grant Follow-up" refers to, but sounds to me like they need to follow up with the applicant to clear something. They may just be sitting on it since June 2022.

This is what I would do:

1. Your primary processing office is Scarborough right now. I would email them, citing this part of the GCMS notes (attach them as well) where it says it is on hold and with "E-Grant Follow-up" since June 2022. Ask them specifically why it is on hold and whether they need to follow up with you or require any info from you to move things along. Insist on how you believe you have met every criteria for the citizenship and have been waiting a very long time (way past the average processing time of 19 months) to see progress and that you haven't even received a test invite yet. Be polite, but firm in your language.
Here are some emails I know for Scarborough office:
IRCC.DNSCRCitizenshipe-Apps-DemandesenligneCitoyenneteSCRRN.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
CIT-SCARBOROUGH@cic.gc.ca
You may be able to find others on this forum.

2. Write to your MP, and ask them the same question attaching the GCMS notes.

Hopefully this will trigger some action...

 

[gustoronto]

I am not sure what flag poles refer to. Could you explain?

If you crossed the border multiple times in 2019 (which falls in your eligibility period) over a short period that may have triggered some red flags and could possibly be the reason for the hold.

The location of my file while it was on hold was "E-Grant Program Support." Not entirely sure what "E-Grant Follow-up" refers to, but sounds to me like they need to follow up with the applicant to clear something. They may just be sitting on it since June 2022.

This is what I would do:

1. Your primary processing office is in Scarborough right now. I would email them, citing this part of the GCMS notes (attach them as well) where it says it is on hold and with "E-Grant Follow-up" since June 2022. Ask them specifically why it is on hold and whether they need to follow up with you or require any info from you to move things along. Insist on how you believe you have met every criteria for the citizenship and have been waiting a very long time (way past the average processing time of 19 months) to see progress and that you haven't even received a test invite yet. Be polite, but firm in your language.
Here are some emails I know for the Scarborough office:
IRCC.DNSCRCitizenshipe-Apps-DemandesenligneCitoyenneteSCRRN.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
CIT-SCARBOROUGH@cic.gc.ca
You may be able to find others on this forum.

2. Write to your MP, and ask them the same question attaching the GCMS notes.

Hopefully, this will trigger some action...

Great suggestions and really happy you answered me. I really appreciate it. I also sent the email as you advised. "Flagpoling" also is a term used when individuals in Canada apply for a different immigration status (e.g., PR or work permit) by briefly leaving and re-entering at a land border or port of entry. It's not officially endorsed and carries some risks. That could be the source of the issue as you mentioned. I will follow up to find out.

 

[gustoronto]

2. Write to your MP, and ask them the same question attaching the GCMS notes.

Hopefully this will trigger some action...

The MP just got back to me with a formal message I expected that does not help me at all:

We did and IRCC did not disclose to us reasons for putting it “ on hold” .
They also confirmed no outstanding document required. Otherwise, they could have asked this from you.
We respect the decision not to disclose it to us; we hope you understand it too.

 

[Wacky1.nash]

The MP just got back to me with a formal message I expected that does not help me at all:

That is kind of what happened with my MP as well...

It's frustrating, but atleast you did your part of making the enquiry. You also have in writing that they do NOT need anything from you. Now when they do ask you for something you can point out you asked and made every attempt to provide what they needed, but were ignored, or worse lied to... You can use that to apply pressure on them to process your case quickly.

Lets hope your email to Scarborough office has better results...

 

[gustoronto]

That is kind of what happened with my MP as well...

It's frustrating, but atleast you did your part of making the enquiry. You also have in writing that they do NOT need anything from you. Now when they do ask you for something you can point out you asked and made every attempt to provide what they needed, but were ignored, or worse lied to... You can use that to apply pressure on them to process your case quickly.

Lets hope your email to the Scarborough office has better results...

The email to the Scarborough office returned back immediately that they do not monitor it and if they did not request anything from my email will be ignored and deleted

 

[Wacky1.nash]

The email to the Scarborough office returned back immediately that they do not monitor it and if they did not request anything from my email will be ignored and deleted

Yeah, was worried about that.

I'll send you some additional emails for Sydney that you could send to.

Also send a webform... Not sure what communication they actually monitor, so have to hit them with everything.

The webforms I sent have been recorded in my GCMS notes. So it looks like they get added to your file atleast.