Application for Canadian Citizenship - A Comprehensive Guide

[amanjain026]

Thank you @rajkamalmohanram for your inputs !

 

[dubairolla]

1. Given that the lost passport you’re talking about was valid during your five-year eligibility period, you need to explain the whole story in a LOE and attach a copy of your police report to your application. Honestly speaking, It’s good that you have a police report for that. If you have a copy of your lost passport, I strongly recommend to include it in your application. You might be asked to show the original documents including your passports in the interview as well. Make sure you keep that original police report for the interview.

2. You definitely need to explain the reason of the gap in the application form. Actually, a space is provided in the form to be used for explaining the reason of the gap. If you don’t explain it, you’re application will be returned to you.

Thank you RJ2020.



Could you please advise what is "LOE"? I have the copy of the lost passport with me.

In the explanation box the space is limited. I can explain as below. Any advice to explain it better way?

1) Passport#****** has been lost and reported to police. Police report Inc#R******

2) From 2018-07-16 to 2019-08-21: There was no travel plan and the passport was not renewed

Thank you.

 

[miimiilala]

PART - 2

Application Phase​

Once you have established that you are eligible to apply, the next step is to download the application form and understand what documentation is required. This needs some serious scrutiny - the documents might slightly differ based on your personal circumstance.

I'll explain every section / field in the application form and if that section requires a documentation, I will provide more information on what has to be submitted for that section.

First things first - Download the application form for adults (CIT 0002)

At the time of writing this post - this is the direct link to the application form. Depending on when you are reading it, you might want to click on the link right after 'First things first' and get the latest form. You can't view the application form on the browser. So, download the form and then open it using Acrobat Reader.

Fill the application form

NOTE: You can always click the '?' next to the question in the application form to get more information.

Q1: In which language would you like to receive service?

• Specify the language of your choice

Q2: Do you have special needs requiring accommodation? This might include wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, braille or large print reading material, or access for an assistant or seeing eye dog. If yes, please select the type of accommodation required.

• Check 'Yes' if you have a special need and choose/enter relevant information. Otherwise, answer No.

Q3 (a): Have you applied for Canadian Citizenship before? If you submitted an application for citizenship that was returned to you as incomplete, answer "no" to this question.

• If you applied for citizenship earlier, received AOR and were later rejected for any reason, mention YES. Otherwise, No.
• If your application was returned for being incomplete, you must answer "No" to this question.

Q3 (b): What is your Client identification (ID) # or Unique Client Identifier

• Provide your UCI.
• This can be found on your PR card, COPR, your PR Visa or on your IRCC account that you applied for PR with.

Q3 (c): What date did you become a permanent resident of Canada (landed immigrant)? Copy the date that you became a permanent resident as it appears on your most recent immigration document: Permanent Resident Card (PR Card), or Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Record of Landing

• Key in the date you became a permanent resident as indicated in the documents in the question.
• Ensure that you use the correct format to enter the date as indicated in the form.

Q4 (a). What is your name as shown exactly on your most recent immigration document? Copy your name exactly as it appears on your most recent immigration document: Permanent Resident Card (PR Card), or Confirmation of Permanent Residence, or Record of Landing

• Provide your legal Last Name and First Name as it appears on your PR card / COPR.

Q4 (b): Have you changed your name or gender designation since becoming a permanent resident?

• Check the box according to your situation. If you changed your name after you landed as a PR, provide your new legal name here.
• If your gender designation has changed, click on the Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier for more information.

Q4 (c): Gender

• Select your gender, enter your height and your natural eye color.

Q4 (d): What is your date of birth as shown exactly on your most recent immigration document? Copy your date of birth as it appears on your most recent immigration document: Permanent Resident Card (PR Card), or Confirmation of Permanent Residence, or Record of Landing.

• Enter your date of birth in the correct format
• IF your Date of Birth is incorrect on your immigration documents, visit 'Date of Birth Correction in Instruction Guide'

Q4(e): What is your city/town and country or territory of birth?

• Enter this information from your COPR.
• If the 'PLACE OF BIRTH' is cut-off on your COPR (like mine), I believe it should be fine. Enter the full 'Place of Birth' as per your passport and explain this clearly in a Letter of Explanation.

Q5: List all names that you have used, including name at birth, previously married name(s), alias(es) and nicknames.

• Whether you have a nickname / alias or not, everyone MUST answer this question with their name at birth.
• If you have used an alias / nickname or any other kind of name, then answer truthfully.

Q6: Please indicate your marital status - are you:

• Select your marital status.

Q7: How can we contact you about your application?

• Enter your e-mail address, your home address, phone number and your mailing address if it is different from your home address.

Q8: Is someone helping you fill out this form and Are you paying someone to help you fill out this form? If yes, to either question above, complete the following details about the person helping you (enter First Name, Last Name and company name if applicable)

• If you want IRCC to correspond with someone else other than you about your application - check the box accordingly, download, fill and include Use of a Representative Form (IMM 5476) form with your application.

Q9 (a): Are you eligible based on the Physical Presence Calculator to apply for a grant of citizenship? If you checked NO, you should wait until you meet the physical presence requirement before completing the application.

• The physical presence calculator is a nice way to keep track of all your absences from Canada AND it is mandatory that you submit the final result from that application with your Citizenship application. This calculator also provides the '5-year eligibility date'.
• Choose 'Online Physical Presence Calculator' next to 'I will provide a signed copy of'.
• If you want to choose the other option (manually calculate if you match the physical presence, you may do so and refer to the appropriate link).
• Enter the 5-year eligibility date as shown by the physical presence calculator it in the space provided.

Q9 (b): During your five (5) year eligibility period did you have Temporary Resident or Protected Person status in Canada before becoming a permanent resident?

• Select either 'Yes' or 'No' based on your situation.
• If you choose 'Yes', then fill the table below with the appropriate status and timeline.

Q9 (c): During your five (5) year eligibility period, did you live outside of Canada as a crown servant or with your spouse or common law partner or parent who was a crown servant? Find out who is a crown servant and the specific situations that apply in the help text or instruction guide.

• This is not a very common situation. If this applies to you, follow the instructions in the application form.

I put name at birth and my full name but then after than it gave me a notification it says it shouldnt be my full name it has to be a nickname, alias, etc.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

I put name at birth and my full name but then after than it gave me a notification it says it shouldnt be my full name it has to be a nickname, alias, etc.

That's fine, then you can skip the name at birth if it is the same as your current name. The old application form didn't have any kind of checks like that. When the post was written, the old application form was the only one in place.

 

[contacteswart@gmail.com]

PART - 6

Post-Application Phase​

You have now submitted your Citizenship application. If you paid close attention to the guide and prepared a killer application package - the chances of you getting your application back is very less to none.

The hard part begins now - Waiting! In this initial stage after submission, you'd have to wait for AOR.

What can you do while you wait?

It generally takes about 2 months from the date they receive the application for you to get a AOR. (This can vary slightly from person to person). While you wait for AOR (and for further steps after you receive AOR), you can do the following -

• You can check the status of your application using ECAS (about 24 hours after you receive AOR) .
• Please try and contribute - Try to help others on the forum with any questions they might have.
• If you want a more in-depth knowledge of how citizenship applications are processed, I recommend giving Operational Instructions and Guidelines for Citizenship
  • From the page above, open links under 'Administration' for relevant information.
• Check the 2019 Citizenship tracker for past year's trend.
• Check the 2020 Citizenship tracker for current trend.
• Please make sure you enter your information in the appropriate tracker. Larger sample size translates to more accurate stats.
• In due time, you would have to write your citizenship test so start preparing for it.
• You can read qorax's detailed post on Oath ceremony and his post on Citizenship Interview.

Routine vs Non-Routine Applications and Additional document requests

Your citizenship application could be processed in 2 different ways - Routine and Non-Routine.

• Routine applications generally move much faster than their non-routine counterparts.
• One of the major reasons why an application could go into non-routine processing is if IRCC requests additional documentation OR if they set up an additional interview for you.
• There are different kinds of additional documents. Credit : I am paraphrasing from dpenabill's post.
  • RQ - Lite <CIT 0205> (Residency Questionnaire - 'Lite')
  • RQ <CIT 0171> (This is a full-blown Residency Questionnaire)
  • You might also get an RQ in the name of PPQ - QAE (Physical Presence Questionnaire - Quality Assurance Exercise)
  • This thread claims to have solved the mystery of the aforementioned QAE process but take it with a grain of salt.

What happens during application processing?

At the time of writing this post, the "official" processing time is 12 months. In reality, however - It ranges anywhere between 6 months to Forever. A sizable portion of the applications are processed between 6 - 9 months time.

• Though we send the initial application to CPC - Sydney, further processing of your application is generally done by the office responsible for the location you live in.
• As your application progresses, the ECAS status will keep changing. Find out what the ECAS status changes mean.
• Here are all the legal guidelines by which IRCC processes the applications.

The basic consensus of how a citizenship application might progress is explained below. This might vary slightly between applicants but this should give you a general idea. There is some speculation here and I am paraphrasing this from one of dpenabill's post and other posts in this forum.

• CPC-Sydney issues an AOR after the completeness-checking the application package
• A file is opened in GCMS (simultaneously).
• The application is sent for background checks
  • Criminality checks are done by RCMP
  • Security checks are done by CSIS
  • GCMS checks are done by IRCC
• CPC-Sydney might do some additional processing (?)
• Application is forwarded to the local visa office for further processing
• Local Visa Office (LVO) checks and verifies the authenticity of the information / documents in the application package
• LVO sends Notice to appear for citizenship test and interview
• LVO sends a Notice to appear for Citizenship Ceremony (Oath)

After the oath: Next Steps

You are officially a Canadian Citizen after you take the oath of citizenship.

• Official sources state that you need to wait a minimum of 2 business days before you can apply for a Canadian Passport.
• However, in reality, you can apply for a passport as soon as your ECAS status changes to 'Complete' and this can happen before 2 business days.

Closing notes

Canadian Citizenship is a privilege and not a right. Let's embrace it, respect it and let's never abuse it. NEVER lie on an immigration / citizenship application - It is not worth the consequences.

I hope that the mods make this a sticky thread for easy access. Let's further discuss about the nuances of this process and help each other in this beautiful journey of becoming a citizen of this great nation.

-rajkamalmohanram

Many of my questions were clarified in this post.
Amazing explanation. Hats off to you rajkamalmonahram.
Thank you is small, but still, Thank you very much for detailed explanation.

 

[sunny_mist]

Thank you so much for amazing explanation @rajkamalmohanram . It made my day.

QQ - For some reason, I'm not able to type anything into Tax Year Q-12b, It doesn't take any input. Do you know if anyone else face the same issue or I'm missing on something?

(Note: I've opened my document in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, all other editable fields were ok except this one)

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Thank you so much for amazing explanation @rajkamalmohanram . It made my day.

QQ - For some reason, I'm not able to type anything into Tax Year Q-12b, It doesn't take any input. Do you know if anyone else face the same issue or I'm missing on something?

(Note: I've opened my document in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, all other editable fields were ok except this one)

You'll have to fill in some of the other questions that involve major dates like the date you became PR and date of application. Once you fill those fields, the tax years might be populated automatically.

 

[RBK2019]

PART - 1​

WARNING: LONG POST

Hello everyone!

Hope you are all doing good and staying safe in these uncertain times.

Its about time – A few people have been requesting me for a detailed post for citizenship (like my post on Express Entry / OINP HCPS). Also, it is almost my time to apply for citizenship (I’ll be applying later this year). Like always, I will do my best to be as correct and accurate as possible, if you find something to be incorrect, PLEASE let me know.

Since (unfortunately) I can't make this as a single post, I'll split it into 6 parts.

IMPORTANT:

This post covers the information required for adults to apply for regular citizenship. There are other processes like fast-track process for Armed Forces personnel and the like but they are out of the scope of this post.

If you are applying as a family and have a minor child, please follow the procedure to apply for citizenship for minor children IN ADDITION to the steps in this post.

Use this guide as a reference - I will provide links where necessary - It is important to actually open and read the links on the IRCC website. I cannot stress this enough.

Use this guide as a supplement to the IRCC's Instruction Guide . Like I did for my Express Entry post, I will split my post into phases.

• Pre-Application Phase -> Getting ready to apply / Pre-requisites for submitting a citizenship application
• Application Phase -> Filling out your application / Gathering Documents / Submitting your application package / Tips
• Post-Application Phase -> AOR / Additional Document Requests / Test / Oath and next steps

Pre-Application Phase​

Irrespective of how we first moved to Canada (student / work / PR / refugee) most of us who moved here have had a goal – applying for Canadian Citizenship. The time is nearing and it is important to understand the process in detail and try not to make any mistakes. The process is a little time consuming – do it once and do it right.

Let’s get to the basics.

Minimum requirements to be able to apply for citizenship:

1. Be a Permanent Resident of Canada

• Your PR status must be in good standing (You should not have a fraud investigation / removal order or the like against you). In other words, your PR status should not be in question.
  • Note: If your PR card has expired, you can still apply. Your PR status is NOT affected if your PR card expires.
• Naturally, you should have maintained your PR status by being physically present in Canada for at least 2 years in a 5-year period.

2. Time spent in Canada

• Most people should have spent at least 3 years (1095 days) in a 5-year period (physically present in Canada) immediately preceding the date you are signing the citizenship application.
• Every day spent inside Canada in the last 5 years (physically present in Canada) as a Permanent Resident counts as one day towards physical presence.
• Every day spent inside Canada in the last 5 years (physically present in Canada) as a Temporary Resident (Student / Work Visa, for instance) can be calculated as half a day towards physical presence up to a maximum of 365 days only.
• For instance:
  • Arthur came in on a work visa on Jan 02 2014.
  • He got his PR on Jan 03 2016. He never left the country.
  • The number of days as a temporary resident is 730 days.
  • He spends 2 years (730 days) in Canada as a permanent resident.
  • Arthur can sign and submit his citizenship application on Jan 04 2018.
  • He counts each day spent in Canada as a temporary resident as half a day (which amounts to 365 days) and he counts each day spent as a permanent resident as one day (which amounts to 730 days).
• The physical presence calculator is a very handy tool to keep track of your travels and calculate physical presence. It is also mandatory that you keep a track of your travels here so that when it is your time to apply, you can print it and submit it with your application.
• Note 1: If you crossed an international border and returned to Canada the same day, it counts as being physically present in Canada.
  • For instance, traveling to US in the morning for shopping and returning to Canada the same evening – this day does count towards physical presence.
  • It is important to note that you MUST STILL DISCLOSE these trips in your physical presence calculator.
• Note 2: Similarly, while traveling internationally, the day you leave Canada and the day you return to Canada also counts towards your physical presence.
  • For instance, if you left Canada on September 14th and returned on October 5th, September 14th and October 5th will count towards your physical presence.
• Stating the obvious but any day spent outside Canada does NOT count towards physical presence. However, as usual, there are some exceptions (doesn’t apply to the majority of us though).
• Generally, time spent serving a sentence or probation DOES NOT count towards physical presence with some exceptions.
• Do NOT apply with exactly 1095 days. That is the minimum requirement but it is recommended to apply with more days. I’ll explain why later in the post.

3. Filing income taxes in Canada

Here it comes – something that no one escapes!

• You must have filed at least 3 tax returns in the last 5 years from the date you sign your citizenship application. Exceptions apply for very few people.
• The large majority of us WILL NOT be exempt from this.

4. Language Skills

• Applicants who are of ages 18 – 54 MUST submit proof to substantiate that they can listen and speak at least one of Canada’s 2 official languages English or French.
• More about this later in the post.

Question: When to submit the English proficiency documents for dependents for example wife and if she does not have studied Degree. Is there anyway without writing IELTS/CELPIP or any recreation conduct exam?

 

[johnpye]

Hi, thanks for such a great write up.

Having previously gone through I PR application, I wondered if there is a way to pull that application. I want to ensure that my address history dates are exact matches.

Thanks for any help

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Question: When to submit the English proficiency documents for dependents for example wife and if she does not have studied Degree. Is there anyway without writing IELTS/CELPIP or any recreation conduct exam?

All documents must be submitted at the time of the application. Everyone on the application (with some exceptions) must include their proof of language proficiency. Generally speaking, any applicant between the ages of 18 and 54 should submit an accepted document as proof of knowledge in English or French.

What documents can be submitted is clearly explained on the IRCC website. Here's another source. If you do not submit any documentation in the application package, the application will be returned as incomplete.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Hi, thanks for such a great write up.

Having previously gone through I PR application, I wondered if there is a way to pull that application. I want to ensure that my address history dates are exact matches.

Thanks for any help

Not sure. I had documented the contents of the personal, work and address history at the time of my PR application and stored it as an Excel workbook. I used that information for my citizenship application. Open up your PR application and check if you are able to see the information you submitted.

 

[LifeRacer]

Hi All,
Need your valuable advice on this. After my first landing, I left Canada to my country of origin from where I initially applied for my PR roughly around 240 days.
In this situation, do I need to provide a Police clearance certificate from my country of origin upon submitting my citizenship application?

Thanks!

 

[SimpleMac]

Hi All,
Should the expired passports to be included in the application have the cancelled stamp visible?
Thank you!

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Hi All,
Need your valuable advice on this. After my first landing, I left Canada to my country of origin from where I initially applied for my PR roughly around 240 days.
In this situation, do I need to provide a Police clearance certificate from my country of origin upon submitting my citizenship application?

Thanks!

Absolutely! Yes.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Hi All,
Should the expired passports to be included in the application have the cancelled stamp visible?
Thank you!

Any and all passports that you held during the last 5 years from the date of your application must be included. That is, if your previous passport expired or was cancelled within the last 5 years, then you'll have to include that. Passports that were cancelled or expired beyond this period (beyond 5 years from the date of your application) doesn't need to be added.