Applied for ctitizenship but have to move to another country

[Yesman]

Hi Guys, I have a delicate situation here if anyone can help me figure a way out. I applied for citizenship last month but now have to move to another country for an unknown period. I wont have any address in canada anymore (I'am just renting) so the only option really is to provide CIC with my address abroad.

1- Is it possible to update the residency/mailing address to one abroad?
2- I know the oath has to be held in canada but can the citizenship test be held abroad ? if not, does CIC set a test and oath dates close
enough to accommodate applicants who are overseas?
3- Would you have a special comment or advice ?

I sincerely thank you for your assistance on this, I DO APPRECIATE IT very much !

 

[Leon]

1. Yes

2. No, neither of them are held abroad. In some provinces, the test and oath may be on the same day but I think in most of them, they are 2-4 months apart. After the test, you will not know when the oath is until you are notified. I got about 10-14 days notice for each.

3. They do give you the option of postpone either test or oath if the dates are inconvenient for you but I would advise you not to do that if possible because it can really delay your processing. From my own experience of wanting to plan a trip around the time of test and oath, they will not schedule around your needs. They expect that citizenship should be important enough for you that you will drop what you are doing and come running. Maybe rightly so. They are giving you citizenship so who are you to complain about the dates they schedule for you?

 

[Yesman]

Thanks Leon. I guess I know what I am going to do, you've been of a great help ! More questions are raised as I progress in the research. I would be grateful if you can help me figure out the following :

1 - I assume that I can't update address/check status online or contact the call center until I receive the aknowledgment letter with some ref. # ?

2 - It says in the CIC web site that " Clients living abroad should contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate serving their area where their application is being processed." I applied for citizenship in Sydney, Canada but I will be residing outside of Canada. This means that I can't change my address with the call centre or the online service (because It is an address oustdie of canada) neither with the embassy at the other country as my app is being processed in Canada. Any clue on how to change my address in this case? Thank sa lot.

 

[Leon]

Try the call centre first. Even if you have not received any letter yet, they can find your information from your PR card number. If they say they can't do it, then do it through the Canadian embassy in the country you are moving to as soon as you have moved.