Haha - we are kind of in the same situation! We both FINALLY got our citzenship test invite for March 21 to April 10, but then don't want to get oath scheduled until after we are back from our travels, as we know the certificate can take a while to get and both have travel booked in May! The problem is, when you want it quickly, it's often really slow, but when you DON"T want it yet, you often get it quickly We're away in Thailand visiting family in May and June. So here's to hoping the oath either comes really really quickly and we're able to get certificate quickly in time to get passport (as it now looks like, despite the backlog still being there, NEW oaths are allowed to pick up certificate 3 or so days later!) OR not to get oath until at least July.I ve heard the same (I m also in Ottawa) and as a result i m aiming to take the citizenship test as late as possible (April 9th or 10th) because I have a flight in mid-May I cannot move or postpone so I hope they will be their usual slow selves and not put the oath right before the trip.
There is this though, depending on your country of origin (mine is in the visa-exempt list) but hopefully I dont have to try it and it is also unclear if the oath fulfills the last condition or if you need the actual certificate :
Find out if you are eligible for a special authorization to board your flight to Canada
You can apply for a special authorization if you:
And one of the following:
- have not been issued a Canadian passport that is valid on the day of your travel
- have a flight to Canada that leaves in less than 10 days
- have a valid passport from a visa-exempt country
- are not a Canadian-American dual citizen
- have previously received a certificate of Canadian citizenship, or
- held a Canadian passport in the past, or
- were granted Canadian citizenship after having been a permanent resident of Canada.
That looks like a great back up option if you get oath before you're going. It doesn't apply to us, since we are not from a visa exempt country, but it should apply to your situation. By the fact that the first bullet point talks about having certificate, that implies to me that the third bullet point about being granted Canadian Citizenship and being a PR previously does not require the certificate to have been received! So you should qualify under the third point. Great job for finding this special authorization. Did they just start this, as a result of the delay in Ottawa?! Or has this been available to Ottawa residents all along (if from visa-exempt country)? Good luck on your citizenship test!
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