interview

[F.RAUF]

I applied on 31 January 2018 for me (a single mother) and for my only daughter 17 years. My application was received on 5 February and application status is : still in process from April 30. My question is that my daughter wants to go to Pakistan on 6th July 2018. I know she does not have to appear in the test. I am worried that if she goes, I will not have her passport and PR card to show in interview. Will this create a problem or not?

 

[sns204]

I don't think this is a problem as you can simply explain it. Perhaps you can even take her itinerary with you as proof she is away. That said, they didn't even ask for my son's documentation during the interview, so it may be a non-issue anyways.

 

[vania]

She is 17, not a small child. She doesn’t take the test, but she must attend the interview with you. And she must attend the oath too.

 

[sns204]

She is 17, not a small child. She doesn’t take the test, but she must attend the interview with you. And she must attend the oath too.

That's not accurate. Anyone not taking the test does not need to attend the interview. My son is 16 and he didn't attend with me.

 

[Joshua1]

Yes, I agree with sns204; 17 and under are not required to attend interview. My daughter didn’t have to attend.... However, they have to show up for the Oath.

 

[dpenabill]

For clarification . . .

Anyone not taking the test does not need to attend the interview.

I understand the context for this observation is an applicant who is test-exempt based on being less than 18 years of age . . .
. . . and note that I am NOT offering any observation about whether minor dependents between the ages of 14 and 18 (who in addition to their parent must personally sign the application) need appear for an interview. I do not follow the specific procedures for minors or dependents.

BUT just to be clear: test-exempt adults over 54 are required to attend the interview even though they are NOT taking the test. Thus, for example, in a family application context, one spouse may be 54+ and test-exempt while the other must take the test, and both will ordinarily be scheduled for the same test-interview event . . . so, again to be clear, the one who is test-exempt must nonetheless appear and be interviewed.

 

[sns204]

For clarification . . .



I understand the context for this observation is an applicant who is test-exempt based on being less than 18 years of age . . .
. . . and note that I am NOT offering any observation about whether minor dependents between the ages of 14 and 18 (who in addition to their parent must personally sign the application) need appear for an interview. I do not follow the specific procedures for minors or dependents.

BUT just to be clear: test-exempt adults over 54 are required to attend the interview even though they are NOT taking the test. Thus, for example, in a family application context, one spouse may be 54+ and test-exempt while the other must take the test, and both will ordinarily be scheduled for the same test-interview event . . . so, again to be clear, the one who is test-exempt must nonetheless appear and be interviewed.

I think the distinction is that an applicant over 54 is an adult whereas an applicant under 18 is a minor. The letter I received was pretty clear that NO minors need attend and my interviewer didn't even ask about him, even though I had her show me where his application was joined with mine.

 

[dpenabill]

I think the distinction is that an applicant over 54 is an adult whereas an applicant under 18 is a minor. The letter I received was pretty clear that NO minors need attend and my interviewer didn't even ask about him, even though I had her show me where his application was joined with mine.

No need to think about the distinction for applicants over 54. They MUST be interviewed even though they are test-exempt.

In particular, the applicable PDI states:

"All adult grant applicants undergo a PI interview with a citizenship official, usually as part of their written test session. Adult applicants who are not required to meet the language or knowledge requirement are also interviewed."​

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/admininistration/decisions/interviewing-adult-applicants.html


As for "minors:

As for "minors," as I said, I do not know. I do not follow processing for minor applicants.

Except I now know a little more, given just a little homework. Helps to do the homework.

HOWEVER, as I also noted, I do know there is a distinction between those who are under 14, versus those between the age of 14 and 18 (that is applicants 14 to 17 years old). The latter must personally sign their application (in addition to the parent's signature). Whether this affects who must appear for the test-interview event I did not know. I now know a little more, given just a little homework. Helps to do the homework.

I also know, HOWEVER, that personal anecdotal experiences OFTEN fail to represent how things go for others. The personal anecdotal experience ONLY illustrates how things MIGHT go (since it is an example of what has happened, it indicates the same COULD happen again for another), and while it might coincide and thus illustrate what is likely to happen (the "rule" if you will), the personal experience often does NOT illustrate what is likely to happen, and rarely illustrates what for sure will happen for a different applicant. What controls is, of course, the applicable policy or rule . . . which I did not know.

I also know, HOWEVER, the importance of doing a little HOMEWORK before making definitive assertions, especially about how it will for-sure go.

For example: In the meantime, even though (as I noted) I do not ordinarily follow processing for minor applicants, only a LITTLE HOMEWORK reveals that minor applicants aged 14 to 17 "must be scheduled for a PI interview."

That said, the applicable PDI RECOMMENDS that the PI interview "be conducted prior to the ceremony check-in." They may, however, be conducted on a different date (overall indication is that they MAY be conducted concurrent with parent's test-interview event).

Thus, it appears your reported anecdotal experience illustrates the USUAL process, and thus what is LIKELY, but NOT WHAT WILL FOR-SURE HAPPEN, if the minor is 14 to 17 years of age.


TAKE-AWAYS:

A minor 14 to 17 years old must be interviewed.
This interview, however, will most likely take place just before the oath ceremony check-in.
The minor 14 to 17 years old may be scheduled for the interview at some other time; it appears likely this would usually coincide with the parent's scheduled test-interview event.

Otherwise, ALL ADULT applicants must be interviewed and this will ordinarily be scheduled concurrently with a test-interview event, including for adult applicants over 54 who are test and language exempt.


Some links to relevant PDIs:

For PDI about "Citizenship: Interviewing adult applicants" see https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/admininistration/decisions/interviewing-adult-applicants.html

For PDI about "Citizenship grants: Minor applying under subsection 5(1)" see https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/grant/minor-applying-adult.html

For PDI about "Conducting interviews and hearings with minors" see https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/grant/conducting-interviews-hearings-minors-applications-received-case-processing-centre-sydney-on-after-june-11-2015.html

(Note: both the PDIs about minors state that those 14 to 17 must be interviewed and recommend this be done prior to oath ceremony check-in.)

Edit to clarify that possible waivers are not addressed above.

 

[F.RAUF]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and guidance. I am desperately waiting for my interview call.

 

[F.RAUF]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and guidance. I am desperately waiting for my interview call.

 

[0ntarian]

I applied on 31 January 2018 for me (a single mother) and for my only daughter 17 years. My application was received on 5 February and application status is : still in process from April 30. My question is that my daughter wants to go to Pakistan on 6th July 2018. I know she does not have to appear in the test. I am worried that if she goes, I will not have her passport and PR card to show in interview. Will this create a problem or not?

If your CIC center is Mississauga then it may take longer time for interview and oath

 

[omerhaha]

If your CIC center is Mississauga then it may take longer time for interview and oath

I had my test and my interview 6 months earlier, my son was 17 years old and he didn’t attend the interview and The interviewer didn’t ask me about him at all