Differences between paper and online application

[canspire]

Hi folks,

I found out, only today, that we could apply for citizenship online. I checked my eligibility and I was allowed to proceed. So, I created the online account and proceeded with the simple steps. I had read about the paper application process a while ago and what baffled me was the differences that I noticed between the two forms of applications.

The most notable differences were:

• They did not request for my travel history at all (other than the entries in my physical presence calculator), anywhere in the online forms. Just the residential addresses in the last 5 years were requested.
• They did not ask me to upload any pages of my passport (unless I chose to use the biographical page for proof of ID).

Am I missing some section in the online version, where these details are requested? I have not yet submitted the application, and didn't want CIC to return/reject it for lack of completeness. I am sure that the above listed pieces of information has to be a part of the application package, had it been a paper application.

Anyone who has applied online, pray clear up my doubts please. Thank you.

 

[Seym]

Well, the physical presence calculator is the travel history, not sure what you mean by that one.

Also, yes, the online application only asks for the passport bio page and not the whole passport scan, that's the only difference in term of what to provide IRCC to consider it a complete application, but note that many in this forum reported that they were asked to send it later in the process, like after the test or interview.

You can send the whole passport as an additional file at the end of your online application if that puts your mind at ease

 

[canspire]

Thank you for your response.

Well, the physical presence calculator is the travel history, not sure what you mean by that one.

Sorry, my bad. I meant, I was expecting a detailed history of travel in the main application as well.

You can send the whole passport as an additional file at the end of your online application if that puts your mind at ease

I guess I'll just wait for their request, and stick to only what the adequate minimum documents that they have requested on the application portal for now.
Your suggestion, however, is well taken and thank you .

A side question: is there any "major/minor" noticeable differences in processing times between the paper versus online application timelines?

 

[Seym]

There's no data to answer that at the moment. Just go with what's simpler, and the online application is absolutely simpler!

 

[canspire]

There's no data to answer that at the moment. Just go with what's simpler, and the online application is absolutely simpler!

Definitely second that. The other day I was planning to visit the Staples just to get colour print-outs of my passport pages.
Paper application, obviously, is very cumbersome. And, I loved the way that they designed the application portal - very neat.

 

[smash1984]

Definitely second that. The other day I was planning to visit the Staples just to get colour print-outs of my passport pages.
Paper application, obviously, is very cumbersome. And, I loved the way that they designed the application portal - very neat.

If you haven't submitted your application yet, I would encourage you to apply on paper.

We now have data for online and paper applications, and its terrible to be an online applicant.

 

[canspire]

We now have data for online and paper applications, and its terrible to be an online applicant.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I haven't submitted my application yet. Could you lead me to the "data" that you are referring to, viz that online applications are slower.

 

[smash1984]

Thanks for the suggestion.

I haven't submitted my application yet. Could you lead me to the "data" that you are referring to, viz that online applications are slower.

Here you go

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/paper-online-atip-proof.769064/

 

[smash1984]

Also, if you check the forum data for 2022, pretty much everyone getting a test invite is either a family applicant or single applicant with paper application

 

[canspire]

Here you go

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/paper-online-atip-proof.769064/

Thanks for supplying this useful information. I went through that thread and found mixed reactions from peoples' postings there.

This is undoubtedly a very useful thread for applicants very eager to become a citizen asap. In my case, I have no such urgency and hence, I will still go ahead with the online version simply because it is much simpler. The aim is to become a Canadian citizen, sure - but I ain't in no rush .

Thanks again for sharing such useful information, as this may benefit many other forum members.

PS: The only reason I previously raised that online versus paper timeline question, was just out of curiosity.

 

[smash1984]

I wish I had known this earlier, I am consiedering sending in a paper application

 

[Sagekobby]

Hi folks,

I found out, only today, that we could apply for citizenship online. I checked my eligibility and I was allowed to proceed. So, I created the online account and proceeded with the simple steps. I had read about the paper application process a while ago and what baffled me was the differences that I noticed between the two forms of applications.

The most notable differences were:

• They did not request for my travel history at all (other than the entries in my physical presence calculator), anywhere in the online forms. Just the residential addresses in the last 5 years were requested.
• They did not ask me to upload any pages of my passport (unless I chose to use the biographical page for proof of ID).

Am I missing some section in the online version, where these details are requested? I have not yet submitted the application, and didn't want CIC to return/reject it for lack of completeness. I am sure that the above listed pieces of information has to be a part of the application package, had it been a paper application.

Anyone who has applied online, pray clear up my doubts please. Thank you.

Don't apply online. Do paper for faster processing. Yes paper is cumbersome but with diligence you will be through and get your applications moving. I applied online and I have regretted doing so

 

[canspire]

Don't apply online. Do paper for faster processing. Yes paper is cumbersome but with diligence you will be through and get your applications moving. I applied online and I have regretted doing so

This was the advice that I received from everybody here in the forum. However, I applied online last night.
I figured that since most people would opt to apply on paper, online applicants would eventually have an edge.
Most of all, I just followed my instinct. It's not like online applications would be callously ignored.

 

[8494193]

This was the advice that I received from everybody here in the forum. However, I applied online last night.
I figured that since most people would opt to apply on paper, online applicants would eventually have an edge.
Most of all, I just followed my instinct. It's not like online applications would be callously ignored.

This and also, past performance isn’t an indicator of future performance. Paper maybe faster today, but doesn’t mean it will continue to be so. They may just slow down paper to encourage people to apply online, once group apps open up later this year.

 

[smash1984]

This was the advice that I received from everybody here in the forum. However, I applied online last night.
I figured that since most people would opt to apply on paper, online applicants would eventually have an edge.
Most of all, I just followed my instinct. It's not like online applications would be callously ignored.

Nope, not callously, but systematically ignored.

I admire your confidence in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, but good luck all the same. Let's all hope we get citizenship soon.