Citizenship Application on October 11, 2017 - Need some clarification

[ukulele]

I will be concise:

1. Can we sign and send it on Oct 11, 2017 or do we wait until the 12th? I was hoping to sign it on Oct 11, 2017 at midnight (that is if forms are upoloaded) and mail it first thing in the morning, I cannot be stressed anymore, I have to mentally know that I sent it out and now the ball is in their court... That's why I have been preparing for 3 days now and I think I am 85% ready, subject to new forms and a couple of small things...

2. I know the forms are going to change and I know we don't know for sure but here is my question: Does anyone remember Pre C-24 application process? When people were still able to claim Pre-PR credit, did they have a choice NOT TO? I have 1.5 years of Pre-PR divided by 2 obviously, but I simply do not need it since I will have a couple of months of buffer anyways. WILL WE HAVE A CHOICE NOT TO CLAIM PRE-PR? The reason is very simple in my case - I DO NOT WANT to submit more docs/more addresses/more jobs/more info - it is painful to collect all of that and very time consuming (I don't even remember my previous address exactly and that requires me to go 4 years back in my paperwork)... I DETEST COLLECTING DOCUMENTS FROM LONG TIME AGO, especially when I did not save them thinking it wouldn't matter anymore because of C-24 and absence of Pre-PR credit (thank you again Mr. Harper). I do realize we won't know for sure until new forms come out but I was curious if people were able not to claim it before?

3. Tax section on the application. We are supposed to put all full or partial years that are relevant. What do we do about 2017? Do we put 2017, required to file YES, filed - NO? Or do we put 2016 and not worry about 2017? I don't want my application to get returned so I AM REALLY CONFUSED and worried about this one. Also, as of now people are putting 4/6 tax year, that will obviously change to 3/5. Does that mean that they will only check taxes filed in the last 3 years? I don't see logic in it, if we are claiming 3/5, why don't they ask for all 5 years? I do realize some people come to Canada with PR and for them it's just 3 years, but what about people who have been to Canada for more than 3 years? What do we put? All 5 years or simply follow what they ask for and put 3 years of taxes even though we filed before as well?

4. I do realize that timelines are gonna change. But I suspect that for people applying the first week after October 11,2017 it SHOULD (I hope) be quicker since the system is not clogged yet. So as of now, what's the average timeline for routine and non-routine apps?

Thank you!

 

[ibry]

Commenting so this can be moved up and answered.

As for your application if you are sure and ready on the 11th send it

I like cross checking so will wait a while before sending. The other questions @razerblade please help thanks.

 

[mreda13]

1. Can we sign and send it on Oct 11, 2017 or do we wait until the 12th? I was hoping to sign it on Oct 11, 2017 at midnight (that is if forms are upoloaded) and mail it first thing in the morning, I cannot be stressed anymore, I have to mentally know that I sent it out and now the ball is in their court... That's why I have been preparing for 3 days now and I think I am 85% ready, subject to new forms and a couple of small things...

Hi,

If the updated physical presence calculator tells you that you are eligible if you sign the application on Oct 11,2017 , then you can mail it the same day. No need to wait.

3. Tax section on the application. We are supposed to put all full or partial years that are relevant. What do we do about 2017? Do we put 2017, required to file YES, filed - NO? Or do we put 2016 and not worry about 2017? I don't want my application to get returned so I AM REALLY CONFUSED and worried about this one. Also, as of now people are putting 4/6 tax year, that will obviously change to 3/5. Does that mean that they will only check taxes filed in the last 3 years? I don't see logic in it, if we are claiming 3/5, why don't they ask for all 5 years? I do realize some people come to Canada with PR and for them it's just 3 years, but what about people who have been to Canada for more than 3 years? What do we put? All 5 years or simply follow what they ask for and put 3 years of taxes even though we filed before as well?

I asked the same question in another thread and I got a reply that we don't need to worry about 2017 since we are still in 2016 'tax year'. We file 2017 taxes in 2018 anyways.

4. I do realize that timelines are gonna change. But I suspect that for people applying the first week after October 11,2017 it SHOULD (I hope) be quicker since the system is not clogged yet. So as of now, what's the average timeline for routine and non-routine apps?

On CIC official website, average processing time for routine applications is 12 months. But keep in mind that for many users on this forum, it usually takes less. Non-routine applications take more, but again some forum members here who got FP requests (which is considered non-routine) got their citizenship in less than 12 months.

 

[razerblade]

1) TBH, this feels like a gray area to me .. nobody knows for sure what the correct answer is .. apply on 11th vs 12th. I do feel that if the online calc says you're eligible, then it should be fine. Although, mailing it on 12th won't make a huge difference. In fact, it will give us enough time to make sure all info on the application is correct and complete. Also, depends on what time the forms are released, maybe we won't even have enough time to mail it out on Oct 11th itself. I think Canada Post cut off is 12pm.

2) I have the same question that I asked in another thread, but no one replied ... yet. I too, don't want nor need to claim any pre-PR credit because of some road trips to the US

3) No need to mention 2017 tax returns. I know people who applied without mentioning it, and became citizens this year. It is quite obvious, given 2017 is ongoing ... the most recent tax year for us is 2016

4) Answer to how exactly the processing times will change is speculation. Too many variables like how many more people will apply, how is IRCC planing to handle the extra load etc are all unknown.

To add, current timeline depends on where your assigned processing center is. Toronto seems to be the longest averaging between 8-12 months. Alberta seems to be the fastest. I know someone who got the oath date in 3 months from the date of submission.

 

[ukulele]

Hi,

If the updated physical presence calculator tells you that you are eligible if you sign the application on Oct 11,2017 , then you can mail it the same day. No need to wait.


I asked the same question in another thread and I got a reply that we don't need to worry about 2017 since we are still in 2016 'tax year'. We file 2017 taxes in 2018 anyways.



On CIC official website, average processing time for routine applications is 12 months. But keep in mind that for many users on this forum, it usually takes less. Non-routine applications take more, but again some forum members here who got FP requests (which is considered non-routine) got their citizenship in less than 12 months.

1) TBH, this feels like a gray area to me .. nobody knows for sure what the correct answer is .. apply on 11th vs 12th. I do feel that if the online calc says you're eligible, then it should be fine. Although, mailing it on 12th won't make a huge difference. In fact, it will give us enough time to make sure all info on the application is correct and complete. Also, depends on what time the forms are released, maybe we won't even have enough time to mail it out on Oct 11th itself. I think Canada Post cut off is 12pm.

2) I have the same question that I asked in another thread, but no one replied ... yet. I too, don't want nor need to claim any pre-PR credit because of some road trips to the US

3) No need to mention 2017 tax returns. I know people who applied without mentioning it, and became citizens this year. It is quite obvious, given 2017 is ongoing ... the most recent tax year for us is 2016

4) Answer to how exactly the processing times will change is speculation. Too many variables like how many more people will apply, how is IRCC planing to handle the extra load etc are all unknown.

To add, current timeline depends on where your assigned processing center is. Toronto seems to be the longest averaging between 8-12 months. Alberta seems to be the fastest. I know someone who got the oath date in 3 months from the date of submission.

So you just do 2014 reqd to file YES, fiked YES, 2015 reqd to file YES, filed YES, 2016 reqd to file YES filed YES, and don't even put 2017 in?

Sorry if it seems like a stupid question, but I was leaning more towards 2017 reqd to file YES filed NO.

Okay, I will call IRCC tomorrow to ask, but honestly, I do not trust them

 

[spyfy]

I will be concise:

1. Can we sign and send it on Oct 11, 2017 or do we wait until the 12th? I was hoping to sign it on Oct 11, 2017 at midnight (that is if forms are upoloaded) and mail it first thing in the morning, I cannot be stressed anymore, I have to mentally know that I sent it out and now the ball is in their court... That's why I have been preparing for 3 days now and I think I am 85% ready, subject to new forms and a couple of small things...

2. I know the forms are going to change and I know we don't know for sure but here is my question: Does anyone remember Pre C-24 application process? When people were still able to claim Pre-PR credit, did they have a choice NOT TO? I have 1.5 years of Pre-PR divided by 2 obviously, but I simply do not need it since I will have a couple of months of buffer anyways. WILL WE HAVE A CHOICE NOT TO CLAIM PRE-PR? The reason is very simple in my case - I DO NOT WANT to submit more docs/more addresses/more jobs/more info - it is painful to collect all of that and very time consuming (I don't even remember my previous address exactly and that requires me to go 4 years back in my paperwork)... I DETEST COLLECTING DOCUMENTS FROM LONG TIME AGO, especially when I did not save them thinking it wouldn't matter anymore because of C-24 and absence of Pre-PR credit (thank you again Mr. Harper). I do realize we won't know for sure until new forms come out but I was curious if people were able not to claim it before?

3. Tax section on the application. We are supposed to put all full or partial years that are relevant. What do we do about 2017? Do we put 2017, required to file YES, filed - NO? Or do we put 2016 and not worry about 2017? I don't want my application to get returned so I AM REALLY CONFUSED and worried about this one. Also, as of now people are putting 4/6 tax year, that will obviously change to 3/5. Does that mean that they will only check taxes filed in the last 3 years? I don't see logic in it, if we are claiming 3/5, why don't they ask for all 5 years? I do realize some people come to Canada with PR and for them it's just 3 years, but what about people who have been to Canada for more than 3 years? What do we put? All 5 years or simply follow what they ask for and put 3 years of taxes even though we filed before as well?

4. I do realize that timelines are gonna change. But I suspect that for people applying the first week after October 11,2017 it SHOULD (I hope) be quicker since the system is not clogged yet. So as of now, what's the average timeline for routine and non-routine apps?

Thank you!

1. I agree with the previous posters. If the new calculator says that you can apply you can apply.

2. I completely understand the motivation behind this point and can feel your pain but unfortunately, life (and particularly IRCC) isn't fair most of the time. You should fill out the info for all five years to the best of your knowledge. However, rest assured that if you have three years post-PR, then the case worker (who is still a human after all) will not go through the hassle of scrutinizing you over every single day in the pre-PR period. Long story short: Do it as well as possible. Also note that you do NOT need to submit any documentation of your residency. You only need to declare the days. Only if you get an RQ later will you have to provide such documents. But again, why should the RQ you if you are well over the limit?

3. It clearly says in the instruction guide "Complete the table for the past six (6) taxation year(s)" (the number 6 will obviously change to 5). Note the usage of "PAST years". 2017 is not a PAST year it is the current year. Do not put down 2017 in the form at all. Again, I completely get why one can get paranoid over this stuff, but these are, again, humans working your file. Any human will obviously know that there can be no tax info about 2017 at all.

4. There are no reliable averages. Note that the spreadsheets in this forum are a fun pastime to make the wait less painful but they are victims of strong selection bias. Also, I am not sure how an average processing time would be anymore helpful than the current "under 12 months" commitment.

As a side note: I don't get why people are so obsessed to chase the Oct 11 opening. I know, this forum makes you paranoid about everything. But the more time you spend on here the more you get the false impression that every immigrant in Canada is 24/7 obsessed with citizenship matters and that they are all lining up at the post office at 5am. There was even someone here in the forum considering traveling to Sydney, NS to deliver the application in person. Sure, the application numbers will go up in the upcomings weeks and months but I sincerely doubt that you will notice any big difference between sending it on the 11th or sending it on the 15th.

 

[ukulele]

1. I agree with the previous posters. If the new calculator says that you can apply you can apply.

2. I completely understand the motivation behind this point and can feel your pain but unfortunately, life (and particularly IRCC) isn't fair most of the time. You should fill out the info for all five years to the best of your knowledge. However, rest assured that if you have three years post-PR, then the case worker (who is still a human after all) will not go through the hassle of scrutinizing you over every single day in the pre-PR period. Long story short: Do it as well as possible. Also note that you do NOT need to submit any documentation of your residency. You only need to declare the days. Only if you get an RQ later will you have to provide such documents. But again, why should the RQ you if you are well over the limit?

3. It clearly says in the instruction guide "Complete the table for the past six (6) taxation year(s)" (the number 6 will obviously change to 5). Note the usage of "PAST years". 2017 is not a PAST year it is the current year. Do not put down 2017 in the form at all. Again, I completely get why one can get paranoid over this stuff, but these are, again, humans working your file. Any human will obviously know that there can be no tax info about 2017 at all.

4. There are no reliable averages. Note that the spreadsheets in this forum are a fun pastime to make the wait less painful but they are victims of strong selection bias. Also, I am not sure how an average processing time would be anymore helpful than the current "under 12 months" commitment.

As a side note: I don't get why people are so obsessed to chase the Oct 11 opening. I know, this forum makes you paranoid about everything. But the more time you spend on here the more you get the false impression that every immigrant in Canada is 24/7 obsessed with citizenship matters and that they are all lining up at the post office at 5am. There was even someone here in the forum considering traveling to Sydney, NS to deliver the application in person. Sure, the application numbers will go up in the upcomings weeks and months but I sincerely doubt that you will notice any big difference between sending it on the 11th or sending it on the 15th.

I just messaged you with the tax question, ignore it

Thanks, spyfy!!!