LOCATION:
Scarborough IRCC Building
APPOINTMENT DATE & TIME:
August-24th, 2018 / 10:15 AM
TOTAL TIME SPENT AT IRCC BUILDING:
10 minutes
TOTAL TIME SPENT WITH IO:
2 minutes
WAIT TIME:
1 minute
TASK COMPLETED BY:
10:14 AM (one minute BEFORE the appointment time)
This is how it went...
Drove from Brampton at 9:00 AM, reached Scarborough Town Centre at 9:44 AM. Drive time 44 minutes, moderate traffic. There is [paid] parking available right in front of the IRCC building...
...However I chose to park at the Scarborough Town Centre Cineplex (for free) for two reasons. (A)IRCC Parking has limited space, and (B)the IRCC building is right behind the Cineplex.
WALKING DISTANCE FROM CINEPLEX TO IRCC:
500 mtrs.
TIME TAKEN TO WALK* THE DISTANCE:
1 minute
*there is a footpath crossing (between buildings) behind the Cineplex and to the IRCC parking.
Reached the IRCC building at 9:47 AM. Climbed the steps, entered thru a swivel door and there is a Building Security Reception straight in front. Enquired about the room to go, was told to take the elevators (behind the desk), hit 3rd floor and the IRCC office will be at the right side.
Since there was time to spare I exited the building, vaped outside for a while and re-entered the building at 10:04 AM.
Upon exiting the elevator at 3rd floor you notice a gateway to a room at the right side. A reception desk will be facing you, manned by an IRCC official. Approached him, handed-over copy of the "Notice to Appear for Test and/or Identification/Verification of Documents" and told him that I've come for the Interview. I'm
over 55 yrs, so no 'test' for me.
The IRCC official was a very jovial fella, utmost pleasure to talk to. He verified my 'Notice to Appear...', marked two spots on it (file # and UCI #), handed me a "green" paper*, told me to "read it", fill-it up with my particulars (especially the two numbers), directed me towards a wall-stand containing clipboards and pens (located next to the waiting chairs) and took to small talks with me regarding vaping. I was holding my vaping device in one hand.
*the green paper is a non-criminality notice, basically I sign confirming that I've not indulged in any offences which make me un-suitable for Canadian citizenship.
Took a chair, noticed there were about 18-20 people seated already. Filled-up the form and went back to the same official to hand-it over. He said, "good that you brought it back to me, let me check it if you've filled it correctly". He then gave the form (and the Notice to Appear) back to me and said to be seated till I'm called ~ and that these two papers are to be handed-over to the official who calls us.
WAIT TIME:
1 minute
CALLED AT:
10:10 AM
At 10:10 AM an IRCC official entered the waiting area from an adjoining room and announced that "all
over 55 yrs. to follow him". Since he was standing next to me ~ I was the first one to approach him. He checked my "Notice to Appear", took it, returned back the 'green paper' and ushered me into a 'locked room'. And did the same for others as well, who approached him (about 8-10 folks).
It was a moderately tiny room, with wall-to-wall windows at one side, and three desk arrangements right in front...
...facing those desks was the mass seating arrangements...
We were about 8-10 people in the room. Since I was the first to enter, I was called up first. Concurrently two others also were called to the other two desks.
MY IO:
A middle aged lady (looks exactly like 'Sally' from Tom Cruise's Oblivion)
DEMEANOUR:
Extremely polite, with a smile
TIME CALLED:
10:12 AM
IO: Good morning Mr. xxx, how was your day today?
ME: Thank you ma'am, great, and yours?
IO: Splendid, can I have your Driving Licence, PR Card, Health Card and Passports please?
ME: Handed them over, and also the "Entry/Exit Stamps Document" that I prepared with passport page numbers.
Ps: If any one wants this form, pls PM me your email ID and I'd send it to you.
IO: Awesome. Makes my life easy eh!
ME: Oh, it sure did for me while filling-out the Physical Presence Calculator, ma'am.
IO: Checks the cards, ticks against the images of them I submitted with the application, also ticks a "white form" on her desk. She then enquires, Mr. xxx what are you doing now? Working?
ME: Oh yes, working ma'am. But freelancing, not 'employed' in the classical sense. Then I explain what I do.
(I have a feeling she wasn't listening ~ b'coz she was busy ticking her form and was quiet when I finished talking. For about 5-6 seconds).
IO: Nice. Then she goes-on to check my passports and tally the stamps (with my Physical Presence Calculator and the 'form' I provided today). She just checks 3-4 stamps and returns back my passports, enquiring "only two passports?".
ME: Yes ma'am.
IO: Thank you for this calculation document Mr. xxx, that was very meticulous.
ME: My pleasure ma'am, do you want to keep it?
IO: No, not required. I'm done. Everything is in place. (She takes back the 'green' form and hands me the 'white form'
* she was ticking) This is your verification form, can you please sign it here (points me to a location on the form) Now do you know the next steps?
ME: Oh yes, sort of... I sign the 'white form'.
*this is a legal sized paper (longer than A4 at approx. 35cms), contains my particulars, ticked against various ID cards that I provided, with her dated signature stating that my physical presence calculations is correct. I sign stating that the documents I provided are true originals.
IO: Your process is complete, you will be required to attend a Ceremony shortly. You will receive an email, (she goes to check my file) in fact three emails, for your children as well, you have applied as a family unit of three right?
ME: Yes ma'am, me and my two minor children.
IO: Yes, all of you will get an Invitation to take Oath. Each. And you will know the date, time and place. It will come to you by October. That's when you complete one year since applying. However, it could come within a few weeks as well and you'll get a week or two head-on time.
ME: So, it could be earlier than October?
IO: Yes, could be. Likely to be. But remember, it will not be in this place. It could be anywhere else, so please be prepared for that ~ and ensure you know where you have to be for the oath ceremony.
ME: No issues ma'am, I'll drive to wherever it is.
IO: That's about it Mr. xxx, do you have any questions?
ME: No ma'am. Thanks (I shake her hand), you have a good day!
IO: Shakes hand, waves and says, "you too"!
I walk out of the room.
TIME OUT:
10:14 AM*
TOTAL TIME SPENT WITH IO:
2 minutes
*A minute before the actual appointment time
So, that was all about it. I also carried the following documents:
1. All original passports in the family (including my kids')
2. Original COPRs (of everyone)
3. Copy of the Citizenship Applications (everyone's) along with copies of all supporting documents
4. Copy of my House Ownership and the Tenancy Contract of the other
5. Copies of all Tax Returns for 5-yrs.
6. Two photocopies of everything (including the passports)
Nothing was seen by the IO except for the Driving License, PR card, Health Card and my original Passports. Everything only mine, she did not ask for the kids' documents.
MY ATTIRE FOR THE INTERVIEW:
Blue jeans, white full shirt, a Navy Blue Blazer and Black leather shoes.
PERSONAL EFFECTS:
Only aftershave and deodorant used. No perfumes.
DOCUMENTS CARRIED IN:
A black zipped folder
End Note: Even tho it is a document check and ID verification exercise, it still is an interview. And as with all interviews we need to dress well, appropriately. And maintain a professional demeanour alongwith extreme courtesy. Your attire, preparedness and positivity makes a difference.
Pls feel free to shoot any queries and it'd be my utmost pleasure to reply you back candidly. Here's wishing everyone all the very best!
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Edit: Amended typo, 50 to 55-yrs.
Edit2: eCAS states: "Decision Made" (as of 1:25 PM dt. Aug-25, 2018, Saturday)
