Application Received on Oct 10, but still processed with New Rules

[sunny108]

Hi All,

I signed and mailed my application using old forms (4 yr eligibility) on October 6th and it was received by CIC on October 10th. However the AOR that I received on Nov 7th says that since my Application was received on or after the day the rules were changed, it will be processed under new Rules.

The Online Application Status shows Oct 10th as Date Application Received. What does that mean?
Will they process my Application based on 3/5 Rule even though they received my Application on October 10th?

Text from AOR Email:
Some of the requirements for Canadian citizenship changed. These new changes provide more flexibility for applicants in meeting citizenship requirements and as your application was received at the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, NS on or after that date, it will be assessed based on the new requirements of the Citizenship Act. To learn more about the new citizenship eligibility requirements, please visit our website at www.cic.gc.ca.

To become a Canadian citizen, persons between 18 and 54 years of age on the date they signed their application must meet
language and knowledge requirements:
• Demonstrate competence in basic communication in English or French.
• Ability to pass a written or oral test on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

 

[dpenabill]

Hi All,

I signed and mailed my application using old forms (4 yr eligibility) on October 6th and it was received by CIC on October 10th. However the AOR that I received on Nov 7th says that since my Application was received on or after the day the rules were changed, it will be processed under new Rules.

The Online Application Status shows Oct 10th as Date Application Received. What does that mean?
Will they process my Application based on 3/5 Rule even though they received my Application on October 10th?

Text from AOR Email:
Some of the requirements for Canadian citizenship changed. These new changes provide more flexibility for applicants in meeting citizenship requirements and as your application was received at the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, NS on or after that date, it will be assessed based on the new requirements of the Citizenship Act. To learn more about the new citizenship eligibility requirements, please visit our website at www.cic.gc.ca.

To become a Canadian citizen, persons between 18 and 54 years of age on the date they signed their application must meet
language and knowledge requirements:
• Demonstrate competence in basic communication in English or French.
• Ability to pass a written or oral test on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

This is interesting but if it has any effect on processing or the outcome, it should work to your benefit.

It is particularly interesting in that the application received date shows October 10, which was NOT after the day the rules changed. It appears the AOR based the applicable date to be the date the application was checked for completeness and entered into the GCMS system.

It is also interesting because it appears to affirm that IRCC is approaching applications made during this transition period with a substantial degree of flexibility.

There are, perhaps, many aspects of this which invite a wide range of speculation, especially for any other old-form applications sent off in the days leading up to October 11. But again, applying the new rules should NOT have any negative implications at all, and indeed if there is any impact, that impact would most likely be a positive one.

The forum will probably appreciate being kept informed of any further developments in the processing of this application, even though there may not be any overt next step now for another four to eight months.

 

[TickleMeElmo]

Don't even sweat it.
The new rule change has made it way easier for applicants to apply for their citizenship. If you were eligible to apply under the old rule, you should be fine.

 

[sunny108]

Actually I was trying to avoid the rush with new rules and therefore mailed the application as soon as I heard new rules are coming on Oct 11. I was hoping that Applications received under old rules (4/6) would be processed first before they start processing the new ones (3/5).

Hope they don't ask me fill new set of forms and submit a new application now.

 

[TickleMeElmo]

That is out of your control and it depends on IRCC. If you check the application processing times for citizenship grant; as of right now the average process waiting period is 12 months.................................................................................................................

Also,
Taken from the website:
Last update: November 20, 2017

Processing times tell you how long it took Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process applications in the past after receiving a complete application package. Processing times can vary, depending on how many applications IRCC receives. Your application may be delayed if it’s not complete.

If it has been longer than the time shown since you applied, and you cannot check the status of your application online, you may contact us by using this Web form.

Hopefully it goes through, so that you won't have to resubmit under the new rules and application.