I'm one of those unfortunate Mississauga applicants whose case got stuck in "IN PROCESS" status.
I'll be on vacation during the summer. Would it be OK to buy a one way ticket to Europe and stay there for the time being, and if I get a test invite - return back let's say one week before the test?
Can it complicate my case and trigger an RQ? Thanks.
There is no restriction prohibiting travel or length of stay abroad. Being outside Canada while a citizenship application is in progress is NOT disqualifying.
There are, however, significant and potentially difficult logistical considerations. These have been discussed in depth in several topics here, especially those referencing leaving Canada after applying. What impact these have depends a great deal on the personal situation.
Key factor is getting communications from IRCC and timely responding or appearing.
The logistics are often more difficult than many apprehend. In this regard note that if there are any non-routine wrinkles, being abroad can severely complicate things.
IRCC advises applicants to notify IRCC if they are going abroad for two or more weeks. The significance and effect of this, or not giving IRCC notice, are also discussed in depth in the topics where leaving Canada is discussed at length.
As noted above, what impact a lengthy absence might have depends a great deal on the personal situation. Whether or not a processing agent takes notice of a lengthy absence can depend on other specific factors, and whether in taking notice that raises any questions or concerns that could lead to non-routine processing, or even RQ, likewise depends on a lot of other specific facts and circumstances in the individual case. BUT OF COURSE the whole picture of who the applicant is and how the applicant lives is considered in context with all the details in the applicant's case, so sure a lengthy absence can be a factor, one factor among many, which can indeed make the difference in whether IRCC has concerns and implements this or that non-routine processing. That is,
IT DEPENDS. See other threads in which this is addressed in more depth for discussion about particular risks and factors related to those risks. Obviously, a failure to timely respond to a request or appear for a scheduled event increases the risks considerably.
Edit to add; an example:
For example, the length of absence may be considered in context with an individual's employment. A school or university teacher taking a lengthy "vacation" abroad over the summer months is very different from a person employed as a skilled worker in a manufacturing facility. The latter do not ordinarily have such lengthy "vacations." So there is more risk a manufacturing worker's absence will invite some questions.
