Does CIC take longer time to process of those who leave country after applying?

[ENGLISHFORCITIZENSHIP]

Hi,

Just wondering whether CIC takes a longer time to process citizenship applications from those who leave Canada after applying?

Any senior advice.

Thank you

 

[itsmyid]

yes

 

[ENGLISHFORCITIZENSHIP]

On what grounds? Pls explain a little bit. How do they track it?

 

[itsmyid]

On what grounds? Pls explain a little bit. How do they track it?

Easy, your CBSA record, your tax ... all the information is just a click away

 

[mickey_mouse]

yes

In reality it may be or could be but in fact there is no such rule that application will be delayed. Why ? People can visit..Nobody is going forever...

What if some one has emergency ? No one can bound you....

 

[dpenabill]

Just wondering whether CIC takes a longer time to process citizenship applications from those who leave Canada after applying?

Historically CIC tended to impose non-routine processing for applicants perceived to have extended absences from Canada while the application was in process. This goes back to explicit criteria adopted under a Liberal government before Harper formed a government, which included passport stamps indicating a return to Canada in time to attend test or interview as a risk indicator, that is, in the terminology in use then, a reason to question residency . . . meaning, a reason to impose RQ and elevate the amount and degree of scrutiny the application would be given.

This typically resulted in fairly long delays. And during the Harper years the delays were so long that some such applicants failed to stay in compliance with the PR Residency Obligation pending a decision on their citizenship application.

The Harper government escalated the level of scrutiny for these applicants, and the so-called intent-to-reside was included in Bill C-24 aiming precisely at these applicants . . . who a Federal Court justice once referred to as applicants applying-on-the-way-to-the-airport, and upholding a more or less skeptical approach to assessing their applications even though time outside Canada after applying cannot be deducted from the residency or presence calculation.

The current Liberal government repealed and removed the so-called intent-to-reside requirement, effective this past June 19, but that was mostly about the vastly exaggerated perception it had a chilling effect on the mobility of naturalized citizens.


How IRCC currently views and approaches applicants potentially perceived to be applying-on-the-way-to-the-airport is unknown.

The safe bet is that at the least there is still a significant RISK of elevated scrutiny, perhaps skepticism, with the potential for not only delays in processing but a degree of skepticism which could threaten the outcome, at least in close cases.

But we do not really know.

Perhaps some who are willing to gamble, or some who have minimal options, will test the waters and eventually report on how it goes.

 

[mickey_mouse]

Can I leave Canada after I mail my citizenship application?


http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=911&top=5

Yes. You can leave Canada while we process your application.

If you need to leave Canada and want to stay eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must:

• make sure that you live in Canada long enough to keep your Permanent Resident (PR) status
• be a permanent resident (when you apply)
• not lose PR status before you take the Oath of Citizenship
• bring your PR card with you when you leave Canada so you can return easily

Make sure your PR card won’t expire while you are outside Canada. If it expires, it doesn’t mean you have lost PR status.

We usually only mail letters, notices and other documents to addresses in Canada. In some cases, you may receive an email from us. You must reply to these letters within a specified amount of time. If you don’t reply within the time frame and don’t provide an acceptable reason for not being able to keep your appointment with us, we may stop processing your application.

You must attend appointments and other events at our offices, like your:

• citizenship test (for applicants 18 to 64 years of age and minors 14 to 17 years of age for whom an application has been filed using the subsection 5(2) application form)
• interview or hearing
• ceremony

These events only take place in Canada. If you can’t attend the appointment or event, you must write a letter of explanation and send it to the local office that sent you the event notice. You can mail this letter or use the online web form.

 

[mickey_mouse]

I remember some one told me if you want to leave for a short time after applying just call CIRC and inform them and the reason why you leaving and provide foreign contact.number.thats alllllllll

 

[dpenabill]

How do they track it?

The applicant is required to keep IRCC informed of where he or she actually lives. This is material information. The applicant verifies he or she will inform IRCC if this information changes (see signature block in application form). This is not like using the address of a family member or friend for a bank account. While it is apparent many applicants fudge some or even quite a bit relative to their address, and get away with it, the applicant who plays address games with IRCC does so at his or her peril.

Beyond that, as itsmyid alluded, there are scores of ways IRCC can either recognize or perceive (impressions matter) when a client is living abroad or is abroad for extended periods of time which amount to, in effect, living abroad.

And then, in addition to presenting current passport and any other travel documents at the interview, and current forms of identification, many times the applicant is asked questions about his or her current employment, where he or she currently lives, or related questions.

Thus, again, while we do not know the extent to which IRCC currently takes an interest in post-application time abroad, or the extent to which IRCC might be more probing or skeptical for an applicant identified as living abroad, the safe bet is that there is at least some risk involved. A gambler's bet perhaps.

By the way: Do not be distracted by non-sequitur and irrelevant advice. There are some who foolishly fail to make even the most simple, obvious distinctions, such as those who confuse the fact that of course citizenship applicants are free to travel, including travel abroad, while an application is in process, in contrast to the implications and practical risks attendant continuing or establishing strong ties outside Canada by living outside Canada. Taking a holiday abroad is not akin to living and working abroad. Traveling is not a problem . . . so long as, of course, you get notices in time to show up for the test, interview, and oath.

 

[ENGLISHFORCITIZENSHIP]

Thank you for the info. but in my case, I like to go visit my parents for 2 months and then come back. Then, I will stay the rest of the time in Canada until I finish the process. What do you think?

 

[mickey_mouse]

Thank you for the info. but in my case, I like to go visit my parents for 2 months and then come back. Then, I will stay the rest of the time in Canada until I finish the process. What do you think?

If you ask me I would say yes. Call CIRC help centre and inform them the reason and duration of your stay abroad and your foreign contact number/address. I think that will be ok. And whats the reason to fear, you have documented every thing genuine and they have already said maximum time frame is 1 year for you...

 

[mickey_mouse]

Thank you for the info. but in my case, I like to go visit my parents for 2 months and then come back. Then, I will stay the rest of the time in Canada until I finish the process. What do you think?

I am also planning to visit, if I don't hear anything in next 2 months I will be going for 1 month holiday........

 

[mickey_mouse]

Thank you for the info. but in my case, I like to go visit my parents for 2 months and then come back. Then, I will stay the rest of the time in Canada until I finish the process. What do you think?

This process is so unpredictable. They keep you at their mercy. I have been waiting for more than 3 months and there is no test invitation. And then they put a ban on you don't go from here.....

Some thing unacceptable and against freedom of movement in so called democratic country and free country

 

[Stef.]

Thank you for the info. but in my case, I like to go visit my parents for 2 months and then come back. Then, I will stay the rest of the time in Canada until I finish the process. What do you think?

I did something similar:

I applied for citizenship and shortly after I went for six weeks to Europe.

I used the online form to contact them and told them that I will be visiting my elderly mother in Europe who lives on her own. I submitted my travel itinerary plus a copy of my mother's passport.

Within the same message I also told them that I will be traveling once again in September for three weeks for the same reason.

I received a confirmation of receipt six weeks after sending it off.

They arranged my test date so that I could attend and now I got the invite for oath today which again accommodates my next travel plan. Will take oath exactly one day after my return to Vancouver.

My whole application to from 22nd of March until the 10th of October- so under 7 months.

Worked for me.

 

[itsmyid]

Thank you for the info. but in my case, I like to go visit my parents for 2 months and then come back. Then, I will stay the rest of the time in Canada until I finish the process. What do you think?

2 months should be no problem . I was referring to those who left for a job in another country after sending out their applications