File separation for a married couple, wife is with RQ

[HighFive]

Folks, I am asking this question on behalf of a friend of mine who has applied for citizenship with her husband in January 2013.
Both her kids are already citizens and she got a RQ because (she thinks) she didnt work in Canada regularly.
Her husband did NOT get RQ, both of them had more than 1095 days on the day they applied.
Since they sent RQ package back to Calgary office (almost a year now) they haven't heard from CIC at all, all calls to CIC end up with "Calgary office is slow these days".

So her question is - can they separate her and her husband applications so husband's application can get processed soonish.
Does anyone on this forum have this type of experience and any draft letter(s) to CIC about file separation you can forward to me I would highly appreciate. Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[HighFive]

anyone today?

 

[egyo]

NO, they won't be able to separate files. I did the request to CIC and they rejected it telling me that once you file together and any of the adult applicants get RQ there is no way to make file separation. File separation, however, can be done if one of the applicants failed in the exam for example...but with RQ both have to be a couple

 

[HighFive]

NO, they won't be able to separate files. I did the request to CIC and they rejected it telling me that once you file together and any of the adult applicants get RQ there is no way to make file separation. File separation, however, can be done if one of the applicants failed in the exam for example...but with RQ both have to be a couple

Thanks egyo. Meanwhile what you said is different from what CIC agents told her on the phone recently - they are able to separate applications on file if one will write a letter to the local office and explain the reason for file separation.
So what they need is people with such experience on this forum and a draft copy of that letter.
Thanks again.

 

[keesio]

CIC call agents are front line support. They have basic knowledge of the process without knowing all the various details. Most likely egyo's experience is the rule but I suppose it doesn't hurt to try anyway.

 

[egyo]

Yes, Call centre people have basic info...because this is what I have been told, then I drafted the letter and sent...got no response at all. But when I ordered my ATIP, I found a line there that file separation was rejected because one of the applicants has RQ.

 

[moti]

Egyo is right I have the same experience .

 

[Msafiri]

Egyo and Moti both on point with their experience as per CIC Operational Bulletin 529-A of Sep 05, 2013 (para 4)

Use only in Certain Circumstances

This OB focuses on splitting files when one or more family members require a hearing for either language or knowledge, and other adult family members on file are thus delayed while they wait for the outcome of that hearing. As noted above, CIC conducts all of its business through the lens of maintaining program integrity. At the hearing stage of the citizenship process, the main program integrity focus is around residency issues and possible misrepresentation. Therefore, files should not be split where residency issues exist for any client on that particular file. In all other situations, where the client requests that a file be split (urgency, relationship breakdown etc.), requests should continue to be examined on a case by case basis.

Note: Files must not be split until expired clearances are reworked and updated for all family members.

 

[scylla]

Agreed with what everyone has said. It's impossible to split the file now.