tslsusi said:
Hi I really need advice. I applied for my citizenship on August 4, 2011, recieved a letter and test booklet saying I was approved and would hear on a date to take the test on Feb 2012. Today on July 11, 2012 I got a letter in the mail saying I had to fill out a Residence Questionnaire. Doesn't say why and I'm a bit confused as I thought everything was okay. Is this normal to receive before you get your date to take the test? I called immigration last month and they said I should expect to see a letter soon with my test date but instead I got this. Will this set me back to getting a test date? Also it states on the rq the days you were out of the country. Well I an American and so my mail won't get shipped to Canada, I have a po box in Blaine Wa. I sometimes go there a few times a month but only for maybe an hour at max to get my mail and I use Nexus so I have no way of tracking it as my passport nor my pr card gets scanned. Do I need these dates down or just when I left the country for the day or actual trips? It does state on the RQ that I can contact CBSA for a 'travel history.' But I worry I won't get it in time as this letter was sent on July 5th and I only have now 39 days to turn in the RQ. Was I flagged or something or is this normal? Any advice on how to fill it out properly? Or what happened when I was originally approved and yet I get an RQ instead of a test date?
Thanks for your help!
Sue
As Leon mentioned, the first mail you received is the standard acknowledgement letter. The RQ you received now is due to the fact that the officials have processed and gone through your application. It is nothing against you. The applicants with US connection (US citizens, US permanent resident, US work or other visa holders, frequent travelers to US etc) are very likely to receive an RQ. As you are aware, it is very easy to travel between US and Canada without being stamped on the passport. In the past, many people have taken advantage of it and claimed physical presence in Canada while not actually being in Canada. It is nothing to worry about. The CIC officials just wants to verify your claim. The bad news is the RQ process will lengthen your overall citizenship application process.
1. State all the dates you have traveled in and out of Canada as accurately as possible. The same day trip to USA won't affect the number of days calculation for residency.
2. Request Traveler's Record from CBSA and US CBP. Find out where you can request Nexus traveler history according Freedom of Information Act. Keep in mind these record might miss some entries.
3. Get your Employment Proof Letter(if you are working) or School/University transcripts or letter(if you are student) or any other documents to prove what you do in Canada.
4. Payslips, T4s
5. Request Health Record from the provincial Ministry of Health.
6. Rental lease documents or property ownership and property tax documents.
7. Credit card statements, bank statements, utility or other documents that can act as supplementary evidence to prove your claims.
8. Letters from clubs, church, voluntary organization or any other organization that can provide or vouch your membership or involvements.
9. Boarding passes or tickets records of travels in and out of Canada.
10. Any other documents or letter that can provide or supplement an evidence of your physical presence.
Don't worry if you don't have one or few things on the list. Gather as much information as you can. If you don't receive documents like Traveler History in time, send what you have. Attach a letter stating you have requested the document and will send as soon as you receive them.
