Application for Canadian Citizenship - A Comprehensive Guide

[crayonmath]

Thank you so much! Really helpful information. I'll make sure to include all pages of passport; maybe in other documents as the passport section just asks for the bio page. I wouldn't mind tracking down every visitor status I've had, but it'd be near hell as my parents have taken me travelling since I was a baby. I might just end up submitting just the citizenship statuses I've had (just 1), and if anything they can ask me to provide more information if they need to right? I'm only okay with this because the instruction guide still says (Question 13) "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).", and they are likely still processing applications that never even had the visitor option. I figure it should be okay, right?

 

[Simplesim]

The process is more or less the same. Instead of filling out a PDF, you fill the information on an online form, that's all.

You can post your questions here and there are so many that can help you out. If I see post on time, I'll respond.

My spouse did not appear for IELTS during PR process, we qualify for rest of criteria he did B.E in computer science from Mumbai University so convocation would do for him to prove that he knows English Please revert Thanks,

 

[Ese2014]

Hello,

This is a very beautiful thread. I just saw/read from this thread that we need to sign and date the online physical presence calculator form. I just submitted mine last week and did not date or sign the physical presence calculator form. Will IRCC return my application? Is there anyone who has submitted without dating/signing the physical presence application form, and yet form wasn't returned. I am worried after reading this thread.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Thank you so much! Really helpful information. I'll make sure to include all pages of passport; maybe in other documents as the passport section just asks for the bio page. I wouldn't mind tracking down every visitor status I've had, but it'd be near hell as my parents have taken me travelling since I was a baby. I might just end up submitting just the citizenship statuses I've had (just 1), and if anything they can ask me to provide more information if they need to right? I'm only okay with this because the instruction guide still says (Question 13) "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).", and they are likely still processing applications that never even had the visitor option. I figure it should be okay, right?

Yeah, provide the information about the visas you know about and are sure. Particularly the long term visas (work, study visas). It shouldn't be a problem if you accidentally miss a visa that was issued 10 years ago IMO.

 

[rajkamalmohanram]

Hello,

This is a very beautiful thread. I just saw/read from this thread that we need to sign and date the online physical presence calculator form. I just submitted mine last week and did not date or sign the physical presence calculator form. Will IRCC return my application? Is there anyone who has submitted without dating/signing the physical presence application form, and yet form wasn't returned. I am worried after reading this thread.

The requirement to sign and date the Physical Presence calculator was removed sometime in either late 2020 or in 2021.

 

[nishant872]

hello folks, I am contemplating whether to fill out the online or physical form. Have any of you studied or noted any differences between online vs physical application processing recently?

 

[Miharbi]

Can someone please share the link to the 2022 Citizenship tracker (google sheets)?

 

[skrba]

Hi, I took and failed the citizenship test 03/19/2022 I know they will have to send me new invite to take another test which could take 4-8 weeks. However, when I tracked it this morning the status says "completed" for the test and didn't say anything about me failing it or that I have to wait for a new test date. So, I wanted to know if anyone have any insight on this type of situation.

Any update on your status friend

 

[skrba]

Do we need to provide photocopy of all pages of passport or only biographical page ie first & last pages of all passport valid in last 5 years.

Same question

Edit: This question got me nervous but I will share what I understood and may be @rajkamalmohanram could correct me if I am wrong.

At the beginning of the post it is mentioned...

Q14 (a): Have you held travel documents and/or passports during your five (5) year eligibility period?

• Again, most of us would have to answer 'Yes' to this question.
• If you answered 'Yes', fill out the details of your travel document in Table A.
• NOTE 1: You will be asked to show the original of this document (This usually happens before / after your citizenship test AND possibly when checking documents before oath ceremony).
• NOTE 2: If you have gaps between your travel document in the past 5 years OR if you did NOT have a passport during this time, explain in Table B.
• If Table B doesn't apply to you, I would suggest writing "N/A".

So if I understand the above statement it means we are supposed to send the Biographic Pages from our Passport and then an a later point when CIC processes our form they will ask to upload all the Pages along with the pages which has Visa Stamping in it. Although the steps may varry depending on Online or Offline application but this is my understanding if @rajkamalmohanram sir can confirm.

 

[skrba]

Hello Everyone,

I want to know if I change my address while my application is in progress in Canada what are the steps I need follow so that my address is always updated at CIC . I tried to online address change tool but it always resolved to an error page saying it can not find my application any one facing similar issue? I have got my AOR.

Thanks in Advance if any one could help me out.

 

[DMyrie]

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.

Did you submit your passport color photocopies of all pages at the time you sent in your application? Did you get a pp request letter and have to submit those pp color photocopies of all pages again? I go an email requesting color photocopies of all passport pages eventhough I submitted them in my application package. What is strange is that the request doesn't show up on the tracker even though the letter is legit.

 

[nidiw2017]

Q13: Do you currently, or have you ever held immigration or citizenship status in a country or territory other than Canada (this includes your country of birth)?


Is UAE Residence Visa (dependent on employment) considered "immigration"?

 

[hoovers]

Did you submit your passport color photocopies of all pages at the time you sent in your application? Did you get a pp request letter and have to submit those pp color photocopies of all pages again? I go an email requesting color photocopies of all passport pages eventhough I submitted them in my application package. What is strange is that the request doesn't show up on the tracker even though the letter is legit.

Did you apply online or Paper?

 

[hoovers]

Online you don't need to submit a checklist, everything is there in front of you on the form itself.

I did submit a letter of explanation in additional documents, just to add some information I thought may be useful but no strictly necessary..I got the AOR in 30 days.

Please did you apply online? Did you submit all your passport pages? because online doesn't say that. im curious please help

 

[smash1984]

Please did you apply online? Did you submit all your passport pages? because online doesn't say that. im curious please help

yes, submit all passport pages.

It doesn't say online but refer to the checklist of paper application. They require all pages of passport for paper application, and online folks who did not submit all pages got a request later on.