Hi everybody, I would like to ask what happens if you are asked to submit a residence questionnaire and you can not collect some of the required documents within the time frame given , eg , health records , school records. Your help is truly appreciated
Foremost: make a concerted, diligent effort to be as responsive as possible, and to submit what you can on time.
If you do not have some of the documents or records requested, clearly state this on a supplemental page. Clearly identify what you do not have and cannot submit.
Briefly explain why.
Similarly for documents and records you cannot submit timely but can obtain. Identify them clearly. Explain why you do not have them (health records need to be obtained from XX [government body], for example), and if true, explain that a request or application has been made to obtain them, and explain that they will be submitted when they have been obtained.
Main thing is to get and submit as much as you can on time.
Especially important are documents and records which directly show --
-- occupant interest in dwelling for
ALL months
-- employment or other activity for as many months as possible,
ALL months during which the applicant has reported being employed (thus, for example, your own school records can be important)
How diligently do you need to be to obtain such records or documents?
A similar, corollary question is whether or not, or to what extent, it is a good idea to submit additional, alternative documentation supporting your claim to be present in Canada for the days you reported presence in Canada.
This varies widely. It varies in part depending on why the individual was issued RQ, on how strong the case is, and on what weaknesses there might be in the case.
While it may be difficult to judge how much your application is at risk for a negative assessment regarding the presence requirement, most applicants should have a fairly good idea about how strong a case they have, how weak a case they have. The less strong the case is, the more the applicant needs to kick it up in responding to the RQ.
Reminder: RQ means the applicant's account of presence in Canada is in question and the applicant is required to submit sufficient evidence to prove presence in Canada. All claimed presence in Canada. The RQ is this applicant's best opportunity to make the case to prove qualification for citizenship. The burden of proof is on the applicant.
These days especially, it appears that IRCC is not issuing RQ unless IRCC has a real concern, a significant suspicion (exception: some applicants might get a random Quality Control RQ). These days, the applicant who is issued RQ will usually want to make a very concerted effort to solidly document his or her case.
But obviously, you cannot submit what you do not have. Submit what you can. Explain what you cannot. Do due diligence to continue obtaining what you cannot timely submit and submit that later (probably better to collect at least most of it and submit in one batch rather than making multiple submissions).
And to the extent there are any gaps or weaknesses in the proof of place of residence (occupant interest in dwelling where you actually lived, like a lease agreement plus proof of rent payment, or such) or proof of employment, consider submitting alternative proof, documents which show you were present and doing this or that in Canada on particular dates, for as many dates as possible . . . especially as to dates during any months you do not submit proof of where you were living or working.