Citizenship Application- Processing Center- Sydney, NS

[sdrizwan]

Hello All

Below is my timeline for 1 Adult application

Application Filed- Sep 1st 2024

Test completed- November 13th 2024

Physical Presence & Language proficiency completed- December 27th 2024

Background Verification and Prohibitions- Still In progress

My questions are:

1. How is the processing time in Sydney,NS center usually?

2. Is it too early to ask for status or am I still under the processing time?

3. Can I call and ask them for an update?

4. If I reach out to them via the web form what should I exactly be asking them?

 

[Seym]

1) it doesn't really matter how fast your office is compared to others. What's left in your case is done by external agencies (RCMP, CSIS and CBSA) after all.

2) Well, it's been 6 months. The average processing time, last updated a month ago (so a new update should come this week) rose to 8 months. You're still under it, but nothing stops you from contacting IRCC any time you want, the way you want.

3) See above.

4) Well, it's up to you. But if you want the most complete picture on your application, make an ATIP request for your GCMS notes instead (free via the privacy act, otherwise 5$ through the access to information act. Better to keep the 5$ I suppose).

All that being said : your background wasn't marked as complete early in the process, which is usually required for people to get their citizenship within the average timeframe. This may mean waiting at least a little more if all you need is a criminal check made by the RCMP, with potentially a fingerprints request to come your way, or wait significantly more if it's a security screening done by the other 2 agencies. These tend to test the patience of applicants, and you can easily find posts from 2022 or 2023 applicants still waiting.
The GCMS notes, which you'll receive after a month, will tell you which background checks are completed, in progress...
Adjust your expectations accordingly.

 

[sdrizwan]

I requested a GCMS notes request by paying 5$ today
1. Can I track the status of my GCMS notes request?
2. How many days does it usually take to email the gcms notes to me?

 

[Seym]

1) don't think so, but why would you want to track that?
2) they have a month to answer, a requirement under both acts...
See https://atip-aiprp.apps.gc.ca/atip/faq.do#acc_4

 

[deshu]

It seems Citizenship application processing time is now 9 months. (Updated on March 4, 2025)
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html
I guess the date IRCC received our application equals "Application failed" date under "Application history" on IRCC tracker. Not "delivered" date.

And maybe the google spread sheet tracker contains much more information.
2024 Citizenship Application Tracker - September 2024
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P3V8UJOTwiiYd2TC8O5a5rKq4GlqpAXq9Zr1rfrScSc/edit?gid=224875574#gid=224875574