Application for Canadian Citizenship - A Comprehensive Guide

[deep344]

Hi , so shall we not use staple at all to bind any document say for example physical calculator 2 pages also like wise?

 

[abbas.pasha]

Hi , so shall we not use staple at all to bind any document say for example physical calculator 2 pages also like wise?

Clips are better alternative to staples

 

[deep344]

Hi , so shall we not use staple at all to bind any document say for example physical calculator 2 pages also like wise?

 

[deep344]

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

Hi Raj, thanks for your post and perfect info.
Query- so we will not staple at all like for example physical presence calculator two pages staple together or we will use paper clip only even if for same form category pages?

 

[shaik4783]

Hello everyone,

thank you for creating this post and detailed explanation regarding citizenship application.

my question is regarding PCC from US

- i have landed in canada in March 2020 and i will be eligible for citizenship in march 2023.

- i was in India from Nov 2019 till March 2020

- prior to that i have been in us from 2015-2019

- i have a Fbi PCC From US until the date of 20dec2018 ( i got this while applying for PR)

- my question is do i need to apply for FBI PCC again so that i can submit a recent updated PCC .

- one of my friend said he applied an old one and still worked out and he got citizenship.

- looking forward to the answers..

Thank you so much.!!!

 

[ckm_01]

Hi All, any suggestions if my current passport is about to expire in 6 months, and planning to renew it. Do I have to inform CIC about renewed passport details? Anyone has gone through this? TIA

 

[wink]

Hi All, any suggestions if my current passport is about to expire in 6 months, and planning to renew it. Do I have to inform CIC about renewed passport details? Anyone has gone through this? TIA

No, not required to inform.

 

[wink]

Hello everyone,

thank you for creating this post and detailed explanation regarding citizenship application.

my question is regarding PCC from US

- i have landed in canada in March 2020 and i will be eligible for citizenship in march 2023.

- i was in India from Nov 2019 till March 2020

- prior to that i have been in us from 2015-2019

- i have a Fbi PCC From US until the date of 20dec2018 ( i got this while applying for PR)

- my question is do i need to apply for FBI PCC again so that i can submit a recent updated PCC .

- one of my friend said he applied an old one and still worked out and he got citizenship.

- looking forward to the answers..

Thank you so much.!!!

1. What would be your answer to the question# 10b?

b) In the past four (4) years, were you in a country or territory other than Canada for 183 days or more in a row (since the age of 18)?

2. Is the following note applicable to you?

Note: If you were in your country or territory of origin immediately prior to becoming a permanent resident and landing in Canada and this time falls within
this four (4) year period, you are not required to provide a police certificate.

 

[ckm_01]

No, not required to inform.

Thank you. Have you been through same situation? Just curious.

 

[abbas.pasha]

Hi All, any suggestions if my current passport is about to expire in 6 months, and planning to renew it. Do I have to inform CIC about renewed passport details? Anyone has gone through this? TIA

Not required to inform.
My daughters passport and OHIP cards were renewed after submitting the application.
We did not provide the renewed documents to IRCC

 

[ckm_01]

Not required to inform.
My daughters passport and OHIP cards were renewed after submitting the application.
We did not provide the renewed documents to IRCC

Thank you for confirmation.

 

[ASINGH29]

Can someone please guide me through the process of providing the fingerprints in Toronto? How will this be done and does it increase the timeline and walk-through?

 

[bubagump]

* During your 5-year eligibility period, did you spend time serving a sentence?

For context, I have been arrested on a Friday and was in prison for 2 days (weekend) got bail on Monday. The charges were dropped by prosecutor and I have no conviction. The question above is confusing. It is asking "did you spend serving a sentence". As per my arrest and in prison for 2 days, I was not serving a sentence. I was held for bail hearing and granted bail, further no conviction and case dropped.

Should I answer YES or NO here. The wording "sentencing" is quite confusing, as only a judge can sentence someone.

 

[abbas.pasha]

Can someone please guide me through the process of providing the fingerprints in Toronto? How will this be done and does it increase the timeline and walk-through?

Read through this page
https://www.f1fingerprint.ca/digital-fingerprinting

 

[liverpooligan]

Would it affect my application if I select 'No' to the question 'I authorize IRCC to forward my personal information to my Member of Parliament '?