Application for Canadian Citizenship - A Comprehensive Guide

[gary377]

Hello all We sent Canadian citizenship application but sent photocopy of birth certificate (for minors) instead of true copy with original translation. Will it be a problem? Really appreciate for any views. We sent the photocopy of birth certificate of my son with original English translation from notary.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Hello all We sent Canadian citizenship application but sent photocopy of birth certificate (for minors) instead of true copy with original translation. Will it be a problem? Really appreciate for any views. We sent the photocopy of birth certificate of my son with original English translation from notary.

For birth certificate :

Photocopy of birth certificate or adoption order
The document must show:

• the minor’s name;
• date of birth;
• place of birth;
• the names of the parents or adoptive parents.

However, if the birth certificate was not in English or French, then you would also have to submit the following :

You must submit the following for any document that is not in English or French, unless otherwise stated on your document checklist:

• the English or French translation; and
• an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they’re not a certified translator); and
• a certified copy of the original document.

If the original copy was not submitted along with the certified translation, then that might be a problem. The worst that can happen here is that IRCC can send the entire package back and you'll have to fix the issue and send it back.

Anyone who has had their application returned (or not) for this reason can be of better assistance here.

 

[RJ2020]

The old form did not mention visitor. The old form mentioned this :



There was no mention of visitor status here. Also, there were no dropdowns in the old form.

In the new form, however, I can see that there is a dropdown for "Visitor" so it would be wise to fill in that information.

Hi, I'm really nervous, because I already sent my citizenship application in February and regarding section 13, I did not know that I needed to include visitor visas in this section.

When I was 12 years old I was not allowed to have a passport, because I was too young to have a passport, due to our country rules. I had a visitor visa for another country which was included in my father's passport. So, I actually did not have a passport, but I was included in my father's passport as his accompanier/minor.

So, better to say, I had a visa that was attached to my father's passport in that time, but myself, did not have a passport, just a Visitor VISA attached to my father's passport. So, I did not include that information in section 13. In addition, when I checked the instruction guide, it said:

• Tell us which countries you have held status in, and exactly what status you held or currently hold (student, employment/worker, refugee/protected person, permanent resident or citizen).

So, according to the instruction guide, I concluded that visitor visa is not counted as an immigration status.

Do you think it would make the processing time for my application far longer or worse, do you think they would probably return my application?

Please kindly advise on this matter. I appreciate it in advance.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Hi, I'm really nervous, because I already sent my citizenship application in February and regarding section 13, I did not know that I needed to include visitor visas in this section.

When I was 12 years old I was not allowed to have a passport, because I was too young to have a passport, due to our country rules. I had a visitor visa for another country which was included in my father's passport. So, I actually did not have a passport, but I was included in my father's passport as his accompanier/minor.

So, better to say, I had a visa that was attached to my father's passport in that time, but myself, did not have a passport, just a Visitor VISA attached to my father's passport. So, I did not include that information in section 13. In addition, when I checked the instruction guide, it said:

• Tell us which countries you have held status in, and exactly what status you held or currently hold (student, employment/worker, refugee/protected person, permanent resident or citizen).

So, according to the instruction guide, I concluded that visitor visa is not counted as an immigration status.

Do you think it would make the processing time for my application far longer or worse, do you think they would probably return my application?

Please kindly advise on this matter. I appreciate it in advance.

I did not disclose visitor visa on my current passport. In the old form, the status 'visitor' was NOT on the list. I also don't recall seeing it in the instruction guide.

Moreover, though I have this visitor visa, I have never visited the country even once.

IMO, this would not be an issue.,

 

[RJ2020]

I did not disclose visitor visa on my current passport. In the old form, the status 'visitor' was NOT on the list. I also don't recall seeing it in the instruction guide.

Moreover, though I have this visitor visa, I have never visited the country even once.

IMO, this would not be an issue.,

So, do you think they just simply forgot to update the instruction guide? Because I thought that the instruction guide is the most reliable source we can rely on. I can remember that I was confused while filling the form. So, I referred to the instruction guide and saw no "Visitor" in the instruction guide, while the forms were already updated at that time. Below is the exact wording of the instruction in the instruction guide and it's still the same as before, up to now, 2021-03-19.

• Tell us which countries you have held status in, and exactly what status you held or currently hold (student, employment/worker, refugee/protected person, permanent resident or citizen).

Do you think they put the instruction guide in priority in their elements of judgment? Or do they just expect us to refer to the form itself?

 

[RJ2020]

Thanks for giving your feedback. I just called cic today to confirm about it. The agent told me if you did not use passport for other country then no need to include details for visiting there. She mentioned its only if you are refugee, worker you had passport of other countries.
i decided not to include this information now as it is just 5 days trip.

Sorry, I'm confused. So, the agent told you if you just visited the other countries with a visitor VISA, you don't need to mention it in the section 13? It's just for refugee, work VISA, PR, and citizenship of other countries? So, you actually obtained a visitor VISA on arrival in DUBAI. So, the agent told you that you don't need to mention it? Because in the form there is a drop down and there is a visitor option. However, in the instruction guide it clearly says:

• Tell us which countries you have held status in, and exactly what status you held or currently hold (student, employment/worker, refugee/protected person, permanent resident or citizen).

There is no visitor option in the instruction guide. That's why I'm confused.

 

[Rana.24]

I was confused seeing online drop down for visitor. But in your case, if you did not visit any country within your 5 year eligibility period, then you don’t need to worry about it. I have decided to include my visitor information as it is within 5 year eligibility period and i will also add letter of explanation in my supporting document just to clear my point and to avoid any delay.

 

[prashant.kr05]

Hi, I will be applying for citizenship soon, and I wanted some clarity on the photo requirements. Do we need a guarantor's signature on the photo that will be sent along with the application?

It is not mentioned on this page https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/citizenship-application-photograph-specifications.html but it is mentioned on this page https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/photos.html

Kindly advise.

 

[RJ2020]

I was confused seeing online drop down for visitor. But in your case, if you did not visit any country within your 5 year eligibility period, then you don’t need to worry about it. I have decided to include my visitor information as it is within 5 year eligibility period and i will also add letter of explanation in my supporting document just to clear my point and to avoid any delay.

In my case, that VISA was issued 20 years ago actually. So, you think there would be no issue?

 

[Lostinpaperwork]

Am also getting tech issues with this CIT-0002e form. The moment I start filling out the form, it closes on its own. I can't do anything on the form, have downloaded it numerous times and have tried different scenarios to fix it, nothing seems to work. Asked my friend to check it, even she is getting the same issue. Not sure if others are getting the similar issues. I have raised web form and will call them tomorrow.

Please do let me know if someone has a workaround to it.

Hi, so after a few attempts it was still not allowing me to enter any details. I decided to validate and see what happens. After pressing VALIDATE it asked me to fill in the missing info which was the language proof section, and miraculously I was able to add that information. So long story short, if you are stuck VALIDATE and it will allow you add whatever you need.

 

[Wandering Mind]

Hi @rajkamalmohanram , thanks for this very comprehensive guide. I had a question about the 2 identity documents to be sent as part of the application - you've suggested that they should be the driving license and the health card. If someone doesn't have a driver's license in Canada, what other document can that person use?

Thanks and regards.

 

[BenLinus6]

Hi, I'm really nervous, because I already sent my citizenship application in February and regarding section 13, I did not know that I needed to include visitor visas in this section.

When I was 12 years old I was not allowed to have a passport, because I was too young to have a passport, due to our country rules. I had a visitor visa for another country which was included in my father's passport. So, I actually did not have a passport, but I was included in my father's passport as his accompanier/minor.

So, better to say, I had a visa that was attached to my father's passport in that time, but myself, did not have a passport, just a Visitor VISA attached to my father's passport. So, I did not include that information in section 13. In addition, when I checked the instruction guide, it said:

• Tell us which countries you have held status in, and exactly what status you held or currently hold (student, employment/worker, refugee/protected person, permanent resident or citizen).

So, according to the instruction guide, I concluded that visitor visa is not counted as an immigration status.

Do you think it would make the processing time for my application far longer or worse, do you think they would probably return my application?

Please kindly advise on this matter. I appreciate it in advance.

I sent an application without including tourist visas, and I'm not worried about it. If it is a mistake - so be it, but then it's their fault for not clarifying that immigration status does not actually imply immigration.

 

[Johny Bravo]

I was confused seeing online drop down for visitor. But in your case, if you did not visit any country within your 5 year eligibility period, then you don’t need to worry about it. I have decided to include my visitor information as it is within 5 year eligibility period and i will also add letter of explanation in my supporting document just to clear my point and to avoid any delay.

I would argue if the 5 year period is a factor here since the question clearly says “have you EVER held...”

 

[RJ2020]

I sent an application without including tourist visas, and I'm not worried about it. If it is a mistake - so be it, but then it's their fault for not clarifying that immigration status does not actually imply immigration.

Exactly! I mean, I believe if we're supposed to refer to the instruction guide to fill a form, we should follow the instructions in the latest updated instruction guide. They clearly have stated in their instruction guide that:

Tell us if you have had immigration, permanent resident status and/or citizenship in any other country outside of Canada (e.g. your country of birth)

• Check either yes or no.
• If you check yes, complete the chart.
• Tell us which countries you have held status in, and exactly what status you held or currently hold (student, employment/worker, refugee/protected person, permanent resident or citizen).
• Date you obtained each status(YYYY-MM-DD)
• End date if no longer valid, if applicable (YYYY-MM-DD). Leave blank if you currently hold this status

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-0002-application-canadian-citizenship-under-subsection-5-1-adults-18-years-older.html

I'm completely aware of the change in the form and I know that a drop down menu has been added recently in which a "Visitor" option is added. However, the instruction guide is provided and supposed to guide us! There is no Visitor category in the instruction guide:

• Tell us which countries you have held status in, and exactly what status you held or currently hold (student, employment/worker, refugee/protected person, permanent resident or citizen).

In addition, in my personal opinion, the five categories mentioned above, namely student, employment/worker, refugee/protected person, permanent resident or citizen are not examples. They're all categories they have mentioned. If they were some examples, there would be a term or word such as "for example", "for instance", etc. before them. So, we can't say that those categories are just a bunch of examples and visitor is another example not mentioned here.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Hi @rajkamalmohanram , thanks for this very comprehensive guide. I had a question about the 2 identity documents to be sent as part of the application - you've suggested that they should be the driving license and the health card. If someone doesn't have a driver's license in Canada, what other document can that person use?

Thanks and regards.

You can use your passport.