FutureCanadian said:
Thanks for the reply; what if the shortage is because of an error in calculation and if shortage is just 2 to 3 days from 1095 days (applied prior to Jun 11, 2015).
There is still no general rule which will reliably predict the outcome.
As noted, there are numerous reports of successful shortfall applications, with shortfalls ranging from a few days to more than a hundred (there are isolated instances of even far larger shortfall cases being successful, but they are highly unusual, almost certainly an anomaly based on unique circumstances). But there are also more than a few examples of even a small shortfall constituting grounds to deny citizenship.
Thus, all the other facts and circumstances involved are likely to have a big influence on the ultimate outcome. The variables are so many it would be more misleading than helpful to attempt enumerating some.
That said, some factors obviously have more significance than others. Including a very small shortfall generally being a lot better than a big shortfall.
The nature of the "error" can be a big factor. In this regard, some errors are more or less minor or
innocent on their face, while others more or less indicate the unreliability of the reporter (the latter ranging from someone just not being a very accurate reporter, prone to making mistakes, to someone being evasive or even deliberately giving erroneous information).
The size of the mistake itself can be a big factor. There has been a participant here who reported making an error reducing physical presence to just a week or so less than 1095, but the actual discrepancy itself was more than a month. That size of discrepancy hurts, even if it only results in a recalculation to just below the threshold. Remember, any discrepancy hurts and can be a problem, even if recalculating due to the mistake does not reduce physical presence to less than 1095.
Whether some of the credit for time in Canada derives from prior to landing can be a big factor.
The overall indications of having settled in and living in Canada can be a factor.
Among many others.
There is no fixed formula for weighing the strength of any given case.
While splitting family applications is allowed
sometimes, the last internal information from CIC (thus somewhat dated) generally discouraged splitting RQ'd applicants. Not surprisingly, the small number of anecdotal reports reflected mixed results, splitting sometimes allowed, many times not. There is an ironic report in another forum by an applicant who pushed CIC to split their applications, they were split, and then the one which had received the RQ was the one which actually proceeded to the oath sooner.
I am no expert and not qualified to give personal advice, but I see no harm in staying with the application and following the process through. Just be sure to be as accurate as possible. Correct any mistakes made and make as few mistakes as possible going forward. Cooperate with IRCC and submit proof as requested. If the mistake was fairly small and you otherwise have strong cases, the odds are probably quite good both of you will be granted citizenship.
But how you approach this is a personal decision you make based on your best judgment considering all the facts and circumstances of your situation. Consulting with a lawyer only costs money, so that is always an option.
While the timeline for processing appears to continue be slow for many, my sense is that things really will begin to open up and get resolved more quickly than they have in the recent past. But I have been wrong before (in the early stages I way underestimated the disastrous impact that OB 407 would have on timelines for scores of applicants for whom there was no substantive reason to question or doubt their qualifications).