Citizenship Interview Question

[Zion786]

I got a note on my tracker that I have an interview on Aug 16. I have no idea whether it will be in-person or online. Right now I am really hoping for online.

Did you see an update on your tracker before you got the email invite? Just wondering when my email might arrive.

Yes I did. Got the tracker update on Friday, email was received on Monday

 

[Acorn450]

Yes I did. Got the tracker update on Friday, email was received on Monday

Thanks- guess I'll see it soon

 

[Essamrh]

any update about your interview ?

 

[dpenabill]

It is not clear to what extent @UnleashedFX, @JHT, @Jakke, @Mahyar85, among others who have assailed my cautions about living abroad after applying, continue to dismiss the significantly elevated risk of non-routine processing for applicants located abroad, but it remains clear that those who are abroad, and those who may be leaving Canada after applying, are indeed AT RISK for delays, additional questions, potentially RQ-related non-routine processing, and will nonetheless need to return to Canada to complete the process.

Thus, what I have tried to illuminate in previous posts above remains true, summarized as follows:

Meanwhile, while many disagree that it should have influence, there is little doubt that residing abroad after applying is one of those factors, a circumstance, that has influence, something that can lead to further and more probing questions. For the qualified applicant, however, this is still nothing to fear. Just answer the questions honestly.

SUMMARY: Applicants who are abroad while their application is pending should anticipate and prepare to be questioned more extensively, and the scope of questions asked can include questions about their residence or employment AFTER applying. Qualified applicants have little or nothing to fear, but given the likely higher risk of RQ-related non-routine processing, perhaps a good idea to be even more prepared (than most applicants), if asked, to submit objective evidence documenting their actual physical presence.

Otherwise, at least one among those who concurred with the attacks against me, referenced above, appears to have had a change of mind:

Unfortunately, 6 months after the interview and 1 week after I got back in Canada, they sent me CIT 0520. I managed to find most of the leases and receipts. I can't find one lease but I managed to find one former roommate who's gonna give me an affidavit. I highly recommend you to get back if you are still outside otherwise you're delaying your application since these evidence can only be obtained within Canada.

Meanwhile, there continues to be no shortage of anecdotal reports illustrating the risks. See, for example, topic "Oath of Citizenship - expired PR Card - please help" here: https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/oath-of-citizenship-expired-pr-card-please-help.779720/#post-10244519 . . . just posted yesterday, a couple who were actually approved for a grant of citizenship and scheduled for the oath, but because they have been abroad since applying, and their PR cards have expired, they face a very high risk of not only NOT being granted citizenship, but of losing their PR status.

None of this is contrary to the recognition that many citizenship applicants go abroad for extended periods of time with NO significant negative impact. A lot depends on many other circumstances in the individual applicant's situation. Note, for example, if the couple in Greece (in discussion referenced and linked above) had applied for PR TDs prior to being in breach of the RO, they would have had very good odds of following through with taking the oath of citizenship, no problem. NONETHELESS, those applicants who go abroad for extended periods of time, and in particular those who outright relocate abroad, should be aware:

-- there is near zero chance of being allowed to take the oath abroad​

-- there is an increased chance of being interviewed, and in the interview asked questions about being abroad and about plans to return to Canada​

-- there is an increased risk of delays, including the risk of non-routine processing, and the latter includes an increased risk of RQ-related non-routine processing (ranging from RQ-lite, that is CIT 0520, to full blown RQ, the CIT 0171) which almost always results in significant delays​

-- it is imperative to NOT remain abroad so long as to not be in compliance with the PR Residency Obligation​

It is worth adding that given the risk of RQ-related non-routine processing, applicants going abroad after applying should be extra diligent in keeping good records that could be important if subject to RQ-related requests.

 

[akbardxb]

It is not clear to what extent @UnleashedFX, @JHT, @Jakke, @Mahyar85, among others who have assailed my cautions about living abroad after applying, continue to dismiss the significantly elevated risk of non-routine processing for applicants located abroad, but it remains clear that those who are abroad, and those who may be leaving Canada after applying, are indeed AT RISK for delays, additional questions, potentially RQ-related non-routine processing, and will nonetheless need to return to Canada to complete the process.

Thus, what I have tried to illuminate in previous posts above remains true, summarized as follows:



Otherwise, at least one among those who concurred with the attacks against me, referenced above, appears to have had a change of mind:



Meanwhile, there continues to be no shortage of anecdotal reports illustrating the risks. See, for example, topic "Oath of Citizenship - expired PR Card - please help" here: https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/oath-of-citizenship-expired-pr-card-please-help.779720/#post-10244519 . . . just posted yesterday, a couple who were actually approved for a grant of citizenship and scheduled for the oath, but because they have been abroad since applying, and their PR cards have expired, they face a very high risk of not only NOT being granted citizenship, but of losing their PR status.

None of this is contrary to the recognition that many citizenship applicants go abroad for extended periods of time with NO significant negative impact. A lot depends on many other circumstances in the individual applicant's situation. Note, for example, if the couple in Greece (in discussion referenced and linked above) had applied for PR TDs prior to being in breach of the RO, they would have had very good odds of following through with taking the oath of citizenship, no problem. NONETHELESS, those applicants who go abroad for extended periods of time, and in particular those who outright relocate abroad, should be aware:

-- there is near zero chance of being allowed to take the oath abroad​

-- there is an increased chance of being interviewed, and in the interview asked questions about being abroad and about plans to return to Canada​

-- there is an increased risk of delays, including the risk of non-routine processing, and the latter includes an increased risk of RQ-related non-routine processing (ranging from RQ-lite, that is CIT 0520, to full blown RQ, the CIT 0171) which almost always results in significant delays​

-- it is imperative to NOT remain abroad so long as to not be in compliance with the PR Residency Obligation​

It is worth adding that given the risk of RQ-related non-routine processing, applicants going abroad after applying should be extra diligent in keeping good records that could be important if subject to RQ-related requests.

Here's another one.

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/cit-0520-after-interview.779754/#post-10244858

If I recall this case correctly, did test outside Canada.

 

[Jakke]

It is not clear to what extent @UnleashedFX, @JHT, @Jakke, @Mahyar85, among others who have assailed my cautions about living abroad after applying, continue to dismiss the significantly elevated risk of non-routine processing for applicants located abroad, but it remains clear that those who are abroad, and those who may be leaving Canada after applying, are indeed AT RISK for delays, additional questions, potentially RQ-related non-routine processing, and will nonetheless n

As usual, you write a lot that amounts to very little. Let's look at the case that's got you so excited now:

Our PR cards are expired since 2019. We cannot meet the Residency obligation (outside Canada since 2017).
We had granted to give our citizenship tests from Greece.The first citizenship oath invitation was for August 8th. We requested to take the oath from Greece.Since last Thursday we know that our request to take the oath outside Canada was declined and they told us to return.
But how could we return ? If we apply for a PRTD I suppose it will be declined.

PR card expired in 2019 but outside the country? Right there is a huge problem. Most people would have the good sense to avoid being in that situation.

Cannot meet residency obligations because they have been outside Canada since 2017? 2017! That is such a huge and obvious problem that one can't imagine what they were thinking.

To use such a case as a warning against being Canada when applying for citizenship is simply absurd. These people would have enormous problems even if they were not applying for citizenship.

Now, Mr. Dpenabill, why don't you sod off with your "See! I was right!".

 

[eaelian]

Hi all,
Anyone has an idea if the video interview can be attended while outside Canada
I have received and email with the date and time , I just left Canada and was wondering if I could attend while outside

 

[wink]

Hi all,
Anyone has an idea if the video interview can be attended while outside Canada
I have received and email with the date and time , I just left Canada and was wondering if I could attend while outside

It's possible to attend the interview call from outside, but first you need to let them know that you are outside Canada by replying to the email you received and follow it up with them from there... I am not sure what would happen if you attend it without letting them know in advance. Read your email again and see whether there is any instruction relate to this.

 

[eaelian]

Hi All,
I have received an invite for the interview, the word document say 8 AM . I joined on the date and time but no one has joined from immigration side
does anyone know which time zone they are referring to , they never mentioned any time zone !!!

Thank you

 

[eaelian]

Hi All
I have done my interview , there is no problem to attend the call from outside Canada and there is no need to let them know in advance
the interview went well hoping to receive the ceremony invite soon

The interview details as follows

1. Officer will ask you to present 2 pieces of ID ( PR, Driving License or health card)
2. Officer will ask you to show selected passport pages to cross check with the submitted document
3. Officer will go over the physical presence to confirm the number of days
4. Officer will ask what are you currently doing in terms of where your income is coming from
5. Officer will ask if you filed Tax for the years within your eligibility period
6. Your English will be evaluated based on the interview with the officer , I have presented IELETS test

I hope this helps

Good Luck everyone

 

[dave_wintz]

Hi All
I have done my interview , there is no problem to attend the call from outside Canada and there is no need to let them know in advance
the interview went well hoping to receive the ceremony invite soon

The interview details as follows

1. Officer will ask you to present 2 pieces of ID ( PR, Driving License or health card)
2. Officer will ask you to show selected passport pages to cross check with the submitted document
3. Officer will go over the physical presence to confirm the number of days
4. Officer will ask what are you currently doing in terms of where your income is coming from
5. Officer will ask if you filed Tax for the years within your eligibility period
6. Your English will be evaluated based on the interview with the officer , I have presented IELETS test

I hope this helps

Good Luck everyone

Hello! Thanks so much for the details of your interview! If you don't mind a few follow-up questions
- Have you been asked to present all your previous and current (expired and not) passports. In my situation I have two current of which only one is biometric and hence been submitted with my citizenship application.
- How long did the interview last?
- Did they question your travel history, or only physical presence calculator validation?
I don't know why but a bit stressing out since most of my friends were invited to oath w/o the interview while I got it... so wondering what triggered that decision.

Again, thank you!

 

[eaelian]

Here is my comments on your points

- Have you been asked to present all your previous and current (expired and not) passports. In my situation I have two current of which only one is biometric and hence been submitted with my citizenship application.

1. Current and old passport should be with you
2. You will be only asked to show some pages randomly as per the officer selection from both passport
3. Officer will cross check with the submitted passport pages

- How long did the interview last?

1. Approx. 20 Min

- Did they question your travel history, or only physical presence calculator validation?

1. Officer will double check the physical presence and ask for any clarification
2. As long as you meet the physical presence requirements , there should be no issue even if you are not in Canada

in my case officer asked if I would be attending the ceremony in Canada and I confirmed that , ceremony invite is sent two weeks in advance to let you prepare

I hope this answers your questions

Good Luck

 

[IrvHerblinger]

I had an online interview a week ago (February 28th) and I'm curious if anyone else has had an interview and seen any updates on their tracker? I am still waiting for Language, Physical Presence and Prohibitions to be completed. Only "citizenship test" and "background verification" have been completed. Test marked "completed" on November 24th.

Anyone have an idea of how long after interview things usually start moving?

 

[eaelian]

I had mine on 22 Feb , and all was marked completed except the physical presence two days after the interview
not sure when it is gonna be completed as no concern was raised during the interview on the physical presence

 

[hello-world]

How was your interview date formatted in your letter?

Was it year-month-day or year-day-month?