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March - 2019 Citizenship Applications

PurelyCanadian

Star Member
Mar 8, 2019
63
11
Application received is also referred to as AOR . . . that is when CPC-Sydney has opened the application, determined it is a COMPLETE application, and thus opened a GCMS citizenship application file for the client/applicant. This is typically some period of time after the IN FACT receipt of the application (the date the application is physically delivered and received). Period of time between physical receipt and AOR has varied widely over the years, ranging from weeks to sometimes several months.

Of course that involves some PROCESSING of the application. There is, for example, a GCMS background check done during that step. Referrals to the RCMP and CSIS for criminality and security background checks are made at that time. And it is likely there is other preliminary screening done, either concurrent with that step OR subsequently but still by personnel in CPC-Sydney. Previously we knew for sure some of what that screening was, back when we knew that OB-407 still described the process, including a triage screening for potential reasons to question the applicant's account of residence or presence in Canada (which would be done again attendant the test and interview events) . . . but we have far less access to internal information like that now, so it is less clear what screening is done by CPC-Sydney before it refers/sends the application to a Local Office for "processing."

When that step is done, whatever else is included in the screening done in CPC-Sydney, that is when the CPC-Sydney phase is complete, THEN the application is sent/referred to the Local Office, and then IRCC labels the application "In Process."

That does not mean anyone in a Local Office opens the application anytime soon and actually does anything with it. It can be weeks or months or even quite a few if not several months before a processing agent in the Local Office does any actual "processing" of the application. But nonetheless during that time, once CPC-Sydney has made the referral to the local office, the application is described as "In Process."

My sense is that many focus rather too much attention on these labels and transitions in the process. What applicants need to know, first, is that their application actually made it to CPC-Sydney. That is why the application should be sent using a delivery-confirmation service (Canada Post is fine, so long as one uses their delivery-confirmation courier service). This is more for personal moral or psychological assurance. And likewise, watching for AOR. Just to feel confident the application is complete and is in the pipeline to be processed. After that all the applicant really needs to do is WAIT and WATCH for notice or communication from IRCC, which hopefully will be notice of the date to attend the test and PI Interview, which is how it goes for the vast majority of applicants. Of course other things can happen along the way, like a Finger Print request, or requests related to Quality Assurance exercises, but for the most part, for most QUALIFIED applicants (yes, there are a significant number who apply who are NOT qualified), the cake is in the oven and all the applicant needs to do is watch for notice of when and where to attend the test and PI Interview.
Excellent and great info by senior member @dpenabill.

@dpenabill, generally how long it takes for application to reach Local Office.
Also, could you please explain full process in detail ?

How we know which local office our application reached ? Reason to ask is because, I live in the area exactly between two local offices.:)

Before what I was thinking that test invite is send from CPC-Sydney but now after reading your previous reply it seems Local office sends it.
 
Last edited:

dpenabill

VIP Member
Apr 2, 2010
6,435
3,182
Excellent and great info by senior member @dpenabill.

@dpenabill, generally how long it takes for application to reach Local Office.
Also, could you please explain full process in detail ?

How we know which local office our application reached ? Reason to ask is because, I live in the area exactly between two local offices.:)

Before what I was thinking that test invite is send from CPC-Sydney but now after reading your previous reply it seems Local office sends it.
The various detailed procedures are largely described in many discussions here . . . except there is a lot of what goes on behind the curtains we know little about.

For some time now I have been largely focused on a few more complex issues and do not engage much in the routine particulars. Thus, for example, others here can better explain things like how the applicant can learn which local office is handling the processing of his or her application . . . that is before getting communication, like a notice to attend the test, from the local office (once the applicant gets notice for the test, for example, that shows which local office is processing the application).

And contrary to some widespread views about different local offices, knowing which one is handling the application is not likely to be of much if any use, until one needs a precise address for where to show up for the test and interview, or until a request for this or that document comes and the applicant needs an address to respond . . . but again, the communication from IRCC will have that information. Knowing which local office is handling it will not illuminate much if anything about what the timeline will be for a particular applicant.

And I was sincere when I said the vast majority of applicants do NOT need to be following these matters so closely. And that is part of the reason I do not engage much in these things: they largely do NOT matter, not in terms of any decision-making choices, not in terms of actions to be taken. The main thing is to WAIT and WATCH for communication or notice from IRCC, and then respond appropriately, like showing up for the test and interview, bring the required documents, being prepared to pass the test.


Some more observations about the precise procedures: for the routinely processed application, it is simple: CPC-Sydney opens the application file and initiates the cover sheet which used to be, and maybe still is, called the File Requirements Checklist, and then the file goes to a processing agent in the local office who prepares the file for the test and interview, reviews the test results and conducts the interview, and if all is in order prepares the paperwork for the Citizenship Officer to sign off granting citizenship, and the applicant is scheduled for the oath. Done. With some rather long queues, some rather long waits in-between those rather few steps. Whether it takes six months or two years, there might only be four or five times a live person is actually doing something with the application, and most of those tasks only involve a PART of an Hour, with the test and interview itself along with the review of those in preparing the paperwork for the Citizenship Officer being the one occasion in which a live person is handling the application for more than an hour. "In process" is mostly about the application IN QUEUE. Nothing happening.

Of course applicants can trigger more live person actions on their file. A call to the help centre asking for information specifically about one's case, for example, and of course that will be logged into the application history. Any non-routine procedure will involve more actions on the file. And the problem with many of the non-routine matters is not they take much time at all (again, parts of an hour not hours, usually), but that means ANOTHER QUEUE, another period of waiting for the next action.

In particular, if there is some non-routine procedure involved, there are all sorts of side roads and tangents, and what happens next depends on this and that contingency. Some are complicated. Full blown RQ process can be very complicated. Regarding which there are discussions here (back pages these days since not a lot of active RQ reports lately) going into detail just about that particular non-routine procedure. Way, way, way too many variable non-routine matters which can potentially take an applicant in this or that direction to try enumerating even a representative sample. BUT even when an application goes down a non-routine path, what adds time is the queue for the next step.

SERIOUSLY, the qualified applicant should relax and simply WAIT and WATCH for communications from IRCC. Prepare for the test. Celebrate the Raptors or Brooke Henderson becoming the Canadian golfer with the most wins ever (more than Mike Weir even).
 

BathTdot

Star Member
Dec 6, 2011
74
3
Brampton, ON
Category........
Visa Office......
New Delhi
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
04-12-2013
AOR Received.
28-12-2013
File Transfer...
08-01-2014
Med's Done....
05-11-2013
Passport Req..
23-01-2014
VISA ISSUED...
file shows IP aug 2nd 2014 decision made 12-08-2014
LANDED..........
12-09-2014
Morning everyone,

late post i'm sorry...just checked wife's application status

please update

Citizenship
  1. We received your application for Canadian citizenship (grant of citizenship) on March 6, 2019.
  2. We sent you correspondence acknowledging receipt of your application(s), and a study book called Discover Canada on May 3, 2019.
  3. We started processing your application on June 10, 2019.
it shows in process
 
  • Like
Reactions: vekineki

rohitm15

Full Member
May 14, 2019
23
5
I am in a wierd position, I applied for PR for me, wife and daughter(3) and have received the AOR, however our PRs are expiring in July. Do I need to renew the PR or can it expire as I do not plan to travel atleast for an year from now.

Also, my daughter's passport (India) is expiring this month, should i be renewing that as well.

Any pointers would be helpful
 

rohitm15

Full Member
May 14, 2019
23
5
I am in a wierd position, I applied for citizenship for me, wife and daughter(3) and have received the AOR, however our PRs are expiring in July. Do I need to renew the PR or can it expire as I do not plan to travel atleast for an year from now.
Also, my daughter's passport (India) is expiring this month, should i be renewing that as well.

Any pointers would be helpful
 

BathTdot

Star Member
Dec 6, 2011
74
3
Brampton, ON
Category........
Visa Office......
New Delhi
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
04-12-2013
AOR Received.
28-12-2013
File Transfer...
08-01-2014
Med's Done....
05-11-2013
Passport Req..
23-01-2014
VISA ISSUED...
file shows IP aug 2nd 2014 decision made 12-08-2014
LANDED..........
12-09-2014
I am in a wierd position, I applied for PR for me, wife and daughter(3) and have received the AOR, however our PRs are expiring in July. Do I need to renew the PR or can it expire as I do not plan to travel atleast for an year from now.

Also, my daughter's passport (India) is expiring this month, should i be renewing that as well.

Any pointers would be helpful

No to both

if no plans on travelling, no need. you are gonna surrender the passport anyways also, PR would become invalid anyways. So, no need to waste money
 

PurelyCanadian

Star Member
Mar 8, 2019
63
11
The various detailed procedures are largely described in many discussions here . . . except there is a lot of what goes on behind the curtains we know little about.

For some time now I have been largely focused on a few more complex issues and do not engage much in the routine particulars. Thus, for example, others here can better explain things like how the applicant can learn which local office is handling the processing of his or her application . . . that is before getting communication, like a notice to attend the test, from the local office (once the applicant gets notice for the test, for example, that shows which local office is processing the application).

And contrary to some widespread views about different local offices, knowing which one is handling the application is not likely to be of much if any use, until one needs a precise address for where to show up for the test and interview, or until a request for this or that document comes and the applicant needs an address to respond . . . but again, the communication from IRCC will have that information. Knowing which local office is handling it will not illuminate much if anything about what the timeline will be for a particular applicant.

And I was sincere when I said the vast majority of applicants do NOT need to be following these matters so closely. And that is part of the reason I do not engage much in these things: they largely do NOT matter, not in terms of any decision-making choices, not in terms of actions to be taken. The main thing is to WAIT and WATCH for communication or notice from IRCC, and then respond appropriately, like showing up for the test and interview, bring the required documents, being prepared to pass the test.


Some more observations about the precise procedures: for the routinely processed application, it is simple: CPC-Sydney opens the application file and initiates the cover sheet which used to be, and maybe still is, called the File Requirements Checklist, and then the file goes to a processing agent in the local office who prepares the file for the test and interview, reviews the test results and conducts the interview, and if all is in order prepares the paperwork for the Citizenship Officer to sign off granting citizenship, and the applicant is scheduled for the oath. Done. With some rather long queues, some rather long waits in-between those rather few steps. Whether it takes six months or two years, there might only be four or five times a live person is actually doing something with the application, and most of those tasks only involve a PART of an Hour, with the test and interview itself along with the review of those in preparing the paperwork for the Citizenship Officer being the one occasion in which a live person is handling the application for more than an hour. "In process" is mostly about the application IN QUEUE. Nothing happening.

Of course applicants can trigger more live person actions on their file. A call to the help centre asking for information specifically about one's case, for example, and of course that will be logged into the application history. Any non-routine procedure will involve more actions on the file. And the problem with many of the non-routine matters is not they take much time at all (again, parts of an hour not hours, usually), but that means ANOTHER QUEUE, another period of waiting for the next action.

In particular, if there is some non-routine procedure involved, there are all sorts of side roads and tangents, and what happens next depends on this and that contingency. Some are complicated. Full blown RQ process can be very complicated. Regarding which there are discussions here (back pages these days since not a lot of active RQ reports lately) going into detail just about that particular non-routine procedure. Way, way, way too many variable non-routine matters which can potentially take an applicant in this or that direction to try enumerating even a representative sample. BUT even when an application goes down a non-routine path, what adds time is the queue for the next step.

SERIOUSLY, the qualified applicant should relax and simply WAIT and WATCH for communications from IRCC. Prepare for the test. Celebrate the Raptors or Brooke Henderson becoming the Canadian golfer with the most wins ever (more than Mike Weir even).
Excellent info again. Thanks
I was not at all aware of the process and after I read on the forum I came to know.

To be honest, for me it does not matter which local office etc etc.

As you suggested I am just waiting to get a letter to appear for test and on test day, I will put my every efforts to do best in test and I am confident I will perform best like my all other friends on forum.
 

AK5021

Star Member
Apr 26, 2019
187
67
Morning everyone,

late post i'm sorry...just checked wife's application status

please update

Citizenship
  1. We received your application for Canadian citizenship (grant of citizenship) on March 6, 2019.
  2. We sent you correspondence acknowledging receipt of your application(s), and a study book called Discover Canada on May 3, 2019.
  3. We started processing your application on June 10, 2019.
it shows in process
Updated
 

ccastr

Star Member
Nov 20, 2014
63
26
São Paulo
Category........
QSW
Visa Office......
Sao Paulo
App. Filed.......
20-08-2014
Doc's Request.
04-12-2014
AOR Received.
17-11-2014
File Transfer...
02-12-2014
Med's Request
04-12-2014
Med's Done....
19-12-2014
Interview........
CSQ
Passport Req..
14-04-2015
VISA ISSUED...
20/04/2015
LANDED..........
02/12/2015
Please update: In Process June 19.