August 2020 - Citizenship application

[royce110]

Thanks when you connected using zoom link were you allowed in the zoom waiting room or you had to wait for the host to start the meeting?

You wait for the host to let you in.

 

[VishalRathi]

Thanks for your wishes and all that valuable info. I am already worried about dealing with BLS! Once the OCI card is in hand - then I can actually say that my journey is truly over!

I am going through the same stress, the reviews of CGI Toronto and BLS aren’t very promising in terms of time taken to process the OCI application,

And it looks very much like a scam to me that you have to spend 5 times the money to surrender the passport as compared to what you spend on getting a new passport.

 

[vvarma]

I am going through the same stress, the reviews of CGI Toronto and BLS aren’t very promising in terms of time taken to process the OCI application,

And it looks very much like a scam to me that you have to spend 5 times the money to surrender the passport as compared to what you spend on getting a new passport.

A total scam indeed. Why would they charge for surrender, of all things, is anybody's guess!

 

[royce110]

I am going through the same stress, the reviews of CGI Toronto and BLS aren’t very promising in terms of time taken to process the OCI application,

And it looks very much like a scam to me that you have to spend 5 times the money to surrender the passport as compared to what you spend on getting a new passport.

Totally agree, I saw a huge lineup in front of BLS Brampton yesterday. I went outside later and saw notices put up that say its by appointment only and I spoke with a guy waiting in line who said this is the 2nd time he’s coming as the first time they didnt allow him without appointment and the total cost is around $500+ from surrender to OCI (travel and costs excluding) and the process can take around 3-4 months.

 

[Abcde0158]

Hi All,
I got a big move on oath scheduled on Mar 1st today after two and half months waiting time since I got everything updated except the oath ceremony on November 30th, 2021.

 

[uvsrsk]

Congrats

Did you receive an email or tracker update?

Thank you, I received an email.

 

[royce110]

A total scam indeed. Why would they charge for surrender, of all things, is anybody's guess!

Check this thread regarding OCI, some useful insights there:

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-i...board/threads/oci-process.254662/post-9863783

 

[vvarma]

Check this thread regarding OCI, some useful insights there:

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-i...board/threads/oci-process.254662/post-9863783

Thank you, I have started following it. Earlier this week, the earliest available date I got an in-person appointment (Vancouver BLS) was for 6th April!!! LOL. Looks like they really want to promote their money-making Purolator service. I live couple of blocks from BLS and do plan to gate crash once, once I get my passport in hand. Beg/plead/cry although most likely they will turn me away LOL

 

[vvarma]

Update to my previous post:

So upon discussing the above undue delay in processing, and my need to travel back to my home country for an extended duration, my MP advised me to apply for UP through their office. After sending all the documents to them on Feb 4, I have finally received my Oath Invite today!!! Even though there are still many hurdles left (Certificate, Passport, Surrender, OCI) between Oath and my flight in May, nevertheless its a massive relief from all the stress that I was subjected to since the past 3-4 months.

My updated timelines - request somebody to please update the tracker (and thanks!)
Location (city): Vancouver, BC
App type (single or # of people): Single
Physical presence days: 1114
App sent date: August 1, 2020
App delivered date: August 7, 2020
AOR: November 22, 2020
In Process: January 21, 2021
Background Check Completed: February 25, 2021
Test Invite (online update): November 9, 2021 (Test Window: Nov 12 - Dec 3, 2021)
Test Date: November 12, 2021 (Test Complete: Nov 15)
UP Request sent (via MP office): February 4, 2022
Doc Request Rec'd & Sent: February 8, 2022 (no interview)
DM: February 9, 2022
Oath Invite: February 15, 2022 (on tracker)
Oath Invite Email: Awaited..
Oath Date: March 2, 2022
Certificate receipt: ??

Update: Received the ceremony email today. Someone please update the tracker, thanks.

 

[MarcX]

Update to my previous post:

So upon discussing the above undue delay in processing, and my need to travel back to my home country for an extended duration, my MP advised me to apply for UP through their office. After sending all the documents to them on Feb 4, I have finally received my Oath Invite today!!! Even though there are still many hurdles left (Certificate, Passport, Surrender, OCI) between Oath and my flight in May, nevertheless its a massive relief from all the stress that I was subjected to since the past 3-4 months.

My updated timelines - request somebody to please update the tracker (and thanks!)
Location (city): Vancouver, BC
App type (single or # of people): Single
Physical presence days: 1114
App sent date: August 1, 2020
App delivered date: August 7, 2020
AOR: November 22, 2020
In Process: January 21, 2021
Background Check Completed: February 25, 2021
Test Invite (online update): November 9, 2021 (Test Window: Nov 12 - Dec 3, 2021)
Test Date: November 12, 2021 (Test Complete: Nov 15)
UP Request sent (via MP office): February 4, 2022
Doc Request Rec'd & Sent: February 8, 2022 (no interview)
DM: February 9, 2022
Oath Invite: February 15, 2022 (on tracker)
Oath Invite Email: Awaited..
Oath Date: March 2, 2022
Certificate receipt: ??

dude good job! do you think contacting your MP did make some changes here? what's UP?

 

[uvsrsk]

done with the oath yesterday. had to wait in the virtual breakout room for about 45 mins - 1 hour till all the participants' details were verified. The actual ceremony itself was done in 30 mins.
Canadian! yay!

 

[patienceandope]

done with the oath yesterday. had to wait in the virtual breakout room for about 45 mins - 1 hour till all the participants' details were verified. The actual ceremony itself was done in 30 mins.
Canadian! yay!

Congrats
What is virtual break out room? did they tell you they are going to put you in that room or you were just waiting to connect?

 

[vvarma]

dude good job! do you think contacting your MP did make some changes here? what's UP?

UP = Urgent Processing. Yes in my case it was 100% my MP who proactively engaged between me and the IRCC officer, and then later forwarded my UP application to IRCC.

 

[Mayorr]

Can one get his Citizenship certificate immediately after oath and then apply for urgent passport processing? I live in Houston, Texas now and will only be coming to Canada for the ceremony and intend to stay there for about 3 days after the ceremony as I have got to go back to work the week after the ceremony.

 

[Mayorr]

I have also got another question guys. Please can one attend the the oath ceremony in any city in Canada or one has got to go to the city one stated as one's current address in Canada? I used to live in Calgary when I was in Canada but the current address IRCC has in their records is my uncle's address in Edmonton.