HELP —> Lost foreign passport while citizenship application is being processed

[JohnMunch1]

As the title says, I have lost my passport. I do not have photocopies of the latest stamps in my passport (some of which will need to be translated, based on IRCC seeking all evidence of traveling entries and exists to be translated to ascertain eligibility and physical presence requirement.)

I’m looking for advice on what I should do to avoid getting my citizenship denied.

 

[Seym]

It's what it is. Report the loss to your nearest police station and have the police document with you.

If IRCC asks for the passport pages, answer with the police report and see with them from there. Losing the passport per se shouldn't be ground for application denial, it's mainly used as a tool, among others, to assess your physical presence. It may mean, however, that IRCC can ask you for additional documents supporting your physical presence instead (which is also a possibility if you still have your passport btw).

And obviously, while not a citizenship application requirement, try to get a new passport if it's not already the case... You may also send the pages from that one along with the police report (and an explanation letter?) when/if time comes.

 

[JohnMunch1]

It's what it is. Report the loss to your nearest police station and have the police document with you.

If IRCC asks for the passport pages, answer with the police report and see with them from there. Losing the passport per se shouldn't be ground for application denial, it's mainly used as a tool, among others, to assess your physical presence. It may mean, however, that IRCC can ask you for additional documents supporting your physical presence instead (which is also a possibility if you still have your passport btw).

And obviously, while not a citizenship application requirement, try to get a new passport if it's not already the case... You may also send the pages from that one along with the police report (and an explanation letter?) when/if time comes.

thanks very much for this answer. I will report it to the police. It’s the passport that I used for my landing as a PR. Does this make it a bigger problem? I think I should be able to document my presence in Canada.

 

[akbardxb]

Likely that this could mean a complex processing and not follow regular processing timelines. Be mentally prepared for that.

As the previous reply said, this is not grounds enough for denial, but unlike the Canadian judicial system, IRCC probably works on 'guilty till proven innocent'. Ensure that you have enough evidence at the interview so that your presence in Canada cannot be questioned.

 

[JohnMunch1]

Thank you for the constructive answers.

 

[Bains87]

I would recommend apply for the new passport from your own country's embassy and send the new passport information to the IRCC via webform. My passport expired during the citizenship process and I did get a new one. Rest assured, its not a ground for denial of citizenship, it only stops you from travelling.