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Kitchener local office after Bill C6

pepe84

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Jan 2, 2013
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Great, but keep in mind that, according to my GCMS notes, your in process could mean that CPC-Sydney requested your criminality records to RCMP yesterday Jan 18th and then sent the application to IRCC Kitchener thereafter, which means that as of today your application should be in transit to Kitchener. In the past, I always thought that "in process" means the application had arrived to the local office and then the process started, but given my latest GCMS notes this seems not to be the case. In process means CPC-Sydney requested RCMP records, then sent the application to Kitchener.

ID-----------------------------Location-----App Date-------AOR Date------IP Date------Test Invite-----Test Date
CanadianC-------------------Kitchener---Oct 18, 2017---Oct 30, 2017---Nov 14, 2017
CanadaApplication126-------Cambridge--Oct 16, 2017---Nov 10, 2017---Nov 27, 2017
AA_UW----------------------Waterloo----Oct 13, 2017---Nov 14, 2017---Nov 27, 2017
canada4us2017--------------Kitchener---Oct 16, 2017---Nov 02, 2017---Nov 29, 2017
5hr3wd----------------------Kitchener---Oct 12, 2017---Nov 15, 2017---Dec 14, 2017
loncan-----------------------Kitchener---Oct 16, 2017---Nov 03, 2017---Dec 15, 2017
ssk94------------------------Kitchener---Oct 16, 2017---Nov 06, 2017---Dec 15, 2017
Husky9----------------------Waterloo----Oct 16, 2017---Nov 21, 2017---Dec 15, 2017
CuriousGuy------------------Waterloo----Oct 13, 2017---Nov 22, 2017---Dec 15, 2017
pepe84----------------------Guelph------Oct 16, 2017---Nov 23, 2017---Dec 18, 2017
MUUM-----------------------Cambridge--Oct 13, 2017---Dec 01, 2017---Dec 21, 2017
luckyb-----------------------Kitchener----Oct 16, 2017---Dec 01, 2017---Dec 21, 2017
Spouswifey------------------Waterloo----Oct 16, 2017---Dec 02, 2017---Dec 21, 2017
tunpi-------------------------Kitchener---Oct 16, 2017---Nov 17, 2017---Dec 27, 2017
inarms-----------------------Waterloo----Oct 31, 2017---Dec 07, 2017---Jan 03, 2018
algonquin--------------------Kitchener----Oct 20, 2017---Dec 01, 2017---Jan 04, 2018
shoaib253-------------------Guelph------Oct 18, 2017---Nov 28, 2017---Jan 06, 2018
haithy------------------------Waterloo----Nov 14, 2017---Jan 04, 2018---Jan 16, 2018
duplex-----------------------Waterloo---Oct 16, 2017---Dec 13, 2017---Jan 18, 2018
aquari-----------------------Kitchener----Oct 13, 2017---Dec 05, 2017
StevenJobs------------------Kitchener---Oct 20, 2017---Dec 06, 2017
bigoody---------------------Guelph------Oct 16, 2017---Dec 22, 2017
vinceyhb---------------------Kitchener---Oct 26, 2017---Jan 02, 2018
zzzzzzzz---------------------Kitchener---Nov 08, 2017---Jan 04, 2018

Updated on 9:10 am EST, Jan 19, 2018. eCAS just updated today showing my application went into in process on Jan 18. Now I am joining you guys waiting for the next step.
 

pepe84

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Jan 2, 2013
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Following my previous message, I wanted to add that in my GCMS notes all the due dates for "eligibility assessment" including residency, taxes, language, interview, etc are based on November 18, 2018 :( I hope they don't wait until that long to start all the assessments.

ID-----------------------------Location-----App Date-------AOR Date------IP Date------Test Invite-----Test Date
CanadianC-------------------Kitchener---Oct 18, 2017---Oct 30, 2017---Nov 14, 2017
CanadaApplication126-------Cambridge--Oct 16, 2017---Nov 10, 2017---Nov 27, 2017
AA_UW----------------------Waterloo----Oct 13, 2017---Nov 14, 2017---Nov 27, 2017
canada4us2017--------------Kitchener---Oct 16, 2017---Nov 02, 2017---Nov 29, 2017
5hr3wd----------------------Kitchener---Oct 12, 2017---Nov 15, 2017---Dec 14, 2017
loncan-----------------------Kitchener---Oct 16, 2017---Nov 03, 2017---Dec 15, 2017
ssk94------------------------Kitchener---Oct 16, 2017---Nov 06, 2017---Dec 15, 2017
Husky9----------------------Waterloo----Oct 16, 2017---Nov 21, 2017---Dec 15, 2017
CuriousGuy------------------Waterloo----Oct 13, 2017---Nov 22, 2017---Dec 15, 2017
pepe84----------------------Guelph------Oct 16, 2017---Nov 23, 2017---Dec 18, 2017
MUUM-----------------------Cambridge--Oct 13, 2017---Dec 01, 2017---Dec 21, 2017
luckyb-----------------------Kitchener----Oct 16, 2017---Dec 01, 2017---Dec 21, 2017
Spouswifey------------------Waterloo----Oct 16, 2017---Dec 02, 2017---Dec 21, 2017
tunpi-------------------------Kitchener---Oct 16, 2017---Nov 17, 2017---Dec 27, 2017
inarms-----------------------Waterloo----Oct 31, 2017---Dec 07, 2017---Jan 03, 2018
algonquin--------------------Kitchener----Oct 20, 2017---Dec 01, 2017---Jan 04, 2018
shoaib253-------------------Guelph------Oct 18, 2017---Nov 28, 2017---Jan 06, 2018
haithy------------------------Waterloo----Nov 14, 2017---Jan 04, 2018---Jan 16, 2018
duplex-----------------------Waterloo---Oct 16, 2017---Dec 13, 2017---Jan 18, 2018
aquari-----------------------Kitchener----Oct 13, 2017---Dec 05, 2017
StevenJobs------------------Kitchener---Oct 20, 2017---Dec 06, 2017
bigoody---------------------Guelph------Oct 16, 2017---Dec 22, 2017
vinceyhb---------------------Kitchener---Oct 26, 2017---Jan 02, 2018
zzzzzzzz---------------------Kitchener---Nov 08, 2017---Jan 04, 2018

Updated on 9:10 am EST, Jan 19, 2018. eCAS just updated today showing my application went into in process on Jan 18. Now I am joining you guys waiting for the next step.
 

duplex

Hero Member
Sep 3, 2012
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Great, but keep in mind that, according to my GCMS notes, your in process could mean that CPC-Sydney requested your criminality records to RCMP yesterday Jan 18th and then sent the application to IRCC Kitchener thereafter, which means that as of today your application should be in transit to Kitchener. In the past, I always thought that "in process" means the application had arrived to the local office and then the process started, but given my latest GCMS notes this seems not to be the case. In process means CPC-Sydney requested RCMP records, then sent the application to Kitchener.
Yes, I totally understand what you mean. But anyway, moving into IP does still mean that my file has moved forward a bit anyway compared to yesterday, so I really cannot complain much about it. Out of curiosity, when was your latest GCMS note processed? You mentioned that it has a note on Dec 20 for in transit to IRCC Kitchener, and I thought there will be another note telling you that application has reached Kitchener a few days after that. It doesn't seem that transferring files to local office is that time consuming, given that those fast processing offices can have IP to test invite in two weeks. If your GCMS is processed a few days ago around second week of January, then that means they probably don't add any note for reaching local office.
 

pepe84

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Jan 2, 2013
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I requested my GCMS notes on December 18th and they were processed on the 20th of Dec and delivered to me on January 18th. No further updates were included after Dec 20th.Just an FYI, GCMS notes are processed two days after you request them, but unfortunately deliver to the applicant 30 days after requested. That is why I request GCMS notes every other week.

Yes, I totally understand what you mean. But anyway, moving into IP does still mean that my file has moved forward a bit anyway compared to yesterday, so I really cannot complain much about it. Out of curiosity, when was your latest GCMS note processed? You mentioned that it has a note on Dec 20 for in transit to IRCC Kitchener, and I thought there will be another note telling you that application has reached Kitchener a few days after that. It doesn't seem that transferring files to local office is that time consuming, given that those fast processing offices can have IP to test invite in two weeks. If your GCMS is processed a few days ago around second week of January, then that means they probably don't add any note for reaching local office.
 
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duplex

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Sep 3, 2012
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It seems to be a quiet week so far for Kitchener office October applicants, so I will post something here to keep it alive.

I looked into the spreadsheet back to February 2017, and there are only four members with information updated up to at least test date. Some that didn't report since AOR/IP is not considered - most likely not active user anymore. Here are the time lines after IP.

In Process / In Process to Test Invite / Test Invite to Test Date / Test Date to Decision Made / Decision Made to Oath Letter / Oath Letter to Oath Date
Oct 02, 2017 / 94 / 18 / 1
Jul 27, 2017 / 68 / 16 / 1 / 47 / 14
Jun 14, 2017 / 21 / 15
Apr 10, 2017 / 7 / 23 / 1

Since there are really very limited data points, it might not be what we will see. However, a few things can be noticed:

1. IP to Test Invite: it used to be very fast before last summer, but it seems it became very slow after that even before C6 came into effect. Guessing that either a lot of office staff were taking vacation during summer or either the government has cut a lot of staff. Anyway, now we are looking at 70 - 100 days from IP to test invite, and we don't know whether the amount of applicants will make it even worse (longer).
2. Test invite to Test date: it seems that once test invite is issued by Kitchener office, it most likely will be two to three weeks from the date when it was issued.
3. In cases with no complication, decision is likely to be made in one day.
4. DM to oath letter: Not many data points to begin with, but the latest update from August applicants mentioned that after the test the officer said that the wait time can be 2 to 4 months since there is no judge in the area.

Now we really hope that those who got IP in November got their test invite soon, hopefully before end of January or the first week of February the latest, so we know at least we are looking at a wait time of within 3 months from IP to test invite. Fingers crossed.
 
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wegafega

Full Member
Jun 23, 2016
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This is important info that might help you.
I live in Waterloo area and the following are for friends of mine who live in Waterloo area as well.
A friend of mine his mother did the interview (she didn't write the test as she us over 60) in end of June and she got the oath in December.
Another friend of mine did the test/interview in Early December she didn't get the oath invite until now.

it will take at least more than 2 months after the test to do the oath.
 
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duplex

Hero Member
Sep 3, 2012
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This is important info that might help you.
I live in Waterloo area and the following are for friends of mine who live in Waterloo area as well.
A friend of mine his mother did the interview (she didn't write the test as she us over 60) in end of June and she got the oath in December.
Another friend of mine did the test/interview in Early December she didn't get the oath invite until now.

it will take at least more than 2 months after the test to do the oath.
Thanks for the information. Can you share the time line of your friend who did her test in early December?
 

wegafega

Full Member
Jun 23, 2016
32
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Thanks for the information. Can you share the time line of your friend who did her test in early December?
One month is the difference between me and her in everything. She applied before me by 1 month (July). Got her finger print in mid Sept. Test invite end of Nov. Test in early Dec. :)
I don't know the exact dates
 
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zzzzzzzz

Star Member
Sep 28, 2016
104
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Hey guys, I think test date to decision made probably takes the most amount of time in our region, from the cases that I know. And according to the citizenship ceremony links, it seems as if there's no more ceremonies planned in Kitchener till Feb 28. Does anyone know whether tests happen the same day as ceremonies? If yes, that means the first of this lot will write their tests only in March, and I'll probably have to wait till May :( (Would be good to verify this from the sheet).

I have a question. If your home address and mailing address are in different processing cities (one in KW one in Toronto), which city is chosen as your application center?
 

duplex

Hero Member
Sep 3, 2012
265
67
Hey guys, I think test date to decision made probably takes the most amount o
f time in our region, from the cases that I know. And according to the citizenship ceremony links, it seems as if there's no more ceremonies planned in Kitchener till Feb 28. Does anyone know whether tests happen the same day as ceremonies? If yes, that means the first of this lot will write their tests only in March, and I'll probably have to wait till May :( (Would be good to verify this from the sheet).

I have a question. If your home address and mailing address are in different processing cities (one in KW one in Toronto), which city is chosen as your application center?
I think for most people it is only one day from test date to decision made, unless there is something that need to be clarified. Can you share what this is like for the cases you know? Normally you don't get same day test and ceremony unless you live very far away from the IRCC office, which is not likely for Kitchener applicants. I am also thinking that the ceremony list doesn't necessarily mean everything is updated up to Feb 28 for all offices. For example, if you check the September spreadsheet, there are people just getting invitation for ceremony on Feb 23 and 26 in Calgary, however the list only shows ceremonies up to Feb 19 for Calgary office. Let's hope that at least two ceremonies are held every week in Kitchener. We can probably find out next week when the list is updated.

If the past numbers are creditable, then I hope the earliest from October batch will write the test before end of February.
 

naturalca

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Mar 24, 2017
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I think for most people it is only one day from test date to decision made, unless there is something that need to be clarified. Can you share what this is like for the cases you know? Normally you don't get same day test and ceremony unless you live very far away from the IRCC office, which is not likely for Kitchener applicants. I am also thinking that the ceremony list doesn't necessarily mean everything is updated up to Feb 28 for all offices. For example, if you check the September spreadsheet, there are people just getting invitation for ceremony on Feb 23 and 26 in Calgary, however the list only shows ceremonies up to Feb 19 for Calgary office. Let's hope that at least two ceremonies are held every week in Kitchener. We can probably find out next week when the list is updated.

If the past numbers are creditable, then I hope the earliest from October batch will write the test before end of February.
Is it still possible to get RQ after test?
 

zzzzzzzz

Star Member
Sep 28, 2016
104
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I think for most people it is only one day from test date to decision made, unless there is something that need to be clarified. Can you share what this is like for the cases you know? Normally you don't get same day test and ceremony unless you live very far away from the IRCC office, which is not likely for Kitchener applicants. I am also thinking that the ceremony list doesn't necessarily mean everything is updated up to Feb 28 for all offices. For example, if you check the September spreadsheet, there are people just getting invitation for ceremony on Feb 23 and 26 in Calgary, however the list only shows ceremonies up to Feb 19 for Calgary office. Let's hope that at least two ceremonies are held every week in Kitchener. We can probably find out next week when the list is updated.

If the past numbers are creditable, then I hope the earliest from October batch will write the test before end of February.

No I didn't mean for them to write to write the test and have the oath on the same day, I meant a group of people writing the test and another seperate group of people having the oath ceremony on the same day. It would make sense to me because you need a citizenship judge for both events. Or do regular citizenship officers preside over the interviews?

In the cases I know, both had FP requests, and had some kind of additional questioning on their application (note: not RQ'd). For one case it took from June to early Jan for status change from Test to DM, for the other it took from August to late Jan. Their process before that was pretty quick (June test writer applied in mid March and August test writer applied in May). One of the applicants was told that even if they're satisfied with the application, DM status won't be updated till they know what Oath ceremony they can fit you in.

Also I hope what you're saying is true, but I fear that having ceremonies every two weeks is really optimistic for KW region. I'd think it's once a month for a few days. And there's no need for them to increase the frequency as long as they're still comfortably meeting the 12 month timeline.
 

zzzzzzzz

Star Member
Sep 28, 2016
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Is it still possible to get RQ after test?
I don't have full knowledge about this but it's possible. I feel like the proportion of RQ's has gone down though. In one of the cases I know (who's timeline I described above), the officer had clear concerns about the applicant's residency requirements during the interview and over the next few months. However, instead of sending a full blown RQ, the officer instead decided to directly deal with the applicant to make sure the delays are not catastrophic. Now whether this is the preferred method of contact, or whether the officer was just nice, I can't tell. I'm sure you'll find more info on this if you browse through this forum.