Citizenship

[Sarah86]

Following my citizenship test , the officer asked me to provide a police record from my home country for a long visit I made between November 2012 and May 2013. The problem is that our embassy located in Ottawa has no services online and they require my presence at the embassy in order to submit the request and assign a representative from home.
I have packed the correspondence between me and the embassy and mailed it to my local IRCC .

My question is , would they ask me to fly to Ottawa to do so ?

 

[Ottawan]

Sarah, police clearance is definitely a genuine reason for them to cause delays. I'd make a trip ASAP and sort it out.

 

[Joshua1]

How far are you from Ottawa?

 

[Sarah86]

I live in Saskatoon - it's like 5 hours plane ride.

 

[kushari]

Yeah definitely I'd get it sorted out quickly. Have you tried calling them and asking if it can be done without you going to Ottawa? Did the officer at the interview inform you how long you have to turn in the police clearance? In the case that it takes a long time, I'd inform IRCC so you can extend the time in case it's hard to get it in that window.

 

[ZingyDNA]

Following my citizenship test , the officer asked me to provide a police record from my home country for a long visit I made between November 2012 and May 2013. The problem is that our embassy located in Ottawa has no services online and they require my presence at the embassy in order to submit the request and assign a representative from home.
I have packed the correspondence between me and the embassy and mailed it to my local IRCC .

My question is , would they ask me to fly to Ottawa to do so ?

Did you stay in your home country for a total of 183 days or more, during the 5 years before you sign your application? If yes, a police report should be required, so you wouldn't have a choice..

 

[zardoz]

There is one other option. Withdraw your citizenship application until that period falls outside the required period, (which would be now), then resubmit.

 

[Sarah86]

There is one other option. Withdraw your citizenship application until that period falls outside the required period, (which would be now), then resubmit.

Thank you for all the replies.

I have mailed the local IRCC and explained the situation, will wait and see what they want me to do next.

I understand now that a police record is required for anywhere (including country of origin) I have spent more than 6 months at during the last 10 years.

 

[meyakanor]

It looks to me that you spent over 180 days in your home country more than 4 years ago? Count only the number of days within the last 4 years. Are you physically present in your (or any particular) country for over 180 days?

Within the last 4 years, if you spent 183 days or more in another country (other than Canada), you must provide a police certificate

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-0002-application-canadian-citizenship-under-subsection-5-1-adults-18-years-older.html

 

[Sarah86]

The agent over the phone said I can submit a letter and mail it explaining why I can not obtain the required documents , and this would be to the discretion of the officer whether to waive the requirement or wanting it nonetheless.

Yes , I have spent over six months between November 2012 and May 2013 .( Provided a reason why which was work commitment - an official letter from the employer was also submitted )