Hello Everyone!
So...Since friday, I am a Canadian Citizen!
I sent my application on the 15th of October 2013, CIC started processing it on the 17th of January 2014, I passed my test and my interview on july 14th 2014 and I became a citizen on september 5th at 8:30 Am
I have a few recommendations to help those who want to avoid problems. First of all, demystify the process... Keep in mind that if you are well prepared, serious, and have a clean file, you should have no reasons not to become a citizen in a timely manner. Before filing the appication, ask yourself the right questions : whatever you think is not clear to you, it will surely not be clear to CIC, so do your best to make everything CLEAR, don't hesitate to clear things up by writing explanation letters that are straight to the point and by adding them to your application. Well, first step is to fill up the application correctly, making sure that you are filling up the latest version and that no information is missing, should you have nothing to say at any of the questions, write N/A or S/O in french, this will make the agent understand that you actually read the question and that you confirm that you have nothing to say.
Secondly, about adding all sorts of supporting evidence to your application. Keep in mind that you, as a citizenship candidate, are required to prove that whatever you are saying is true. This being said, beware of excess! No need to send a full Bankers Box of documents, nobody will look at them, start by making sure that you have all the required documents, make sure that they are easily readable, that your story makes sense to you. Let someone else review your application for you, it might be boring, but honestly, we usually don't see the mistakes we make, so chances are that someone else will see them and help you correct them.
- Be very precises with the dates, should you not remember a date, ask for your Entry to Canada information from the Borders Agency, it is for free.
- Make sure that nothing is missing and if something is missing because you don't have it, either try to have it or write a letter to explain why you don't have it, knowing that " i don't know" is never a good answer.
- Don't even dream of applying if you are considering to hide information or to scam the system, simply follow the rules and take the time it needs to qualify by actually living here. If you fraud, you might get away with it, but you will never be at peace and your citizenship will always be at risk, honestly, waiting for a couple of months more and lawfully fulfilling the minimum requirements is a much better deal, if not, the only deal that you should think of!
- For the interview : Same thing, don't overdo it! Relax, sit back, and answer the agent's questions precisely. Also, know your passport by heart as no stamp should be there without you knowing why it is there. I personally used Mini post-its in my passport, every stamp had its little story.
- Enjoy applying for citizenship.... I personally didn't enjoy it at all, It was a very stressful period in my life, so don't take me as an example
- Should you have any questions before or after you apply, don't hesitate to contact CIC by phone, that's what the call center people are paid to do, don't ever worry about calling them too much or too little, if you feel that you need answers, then call them and ask straight to the point questions, remember that you are their Client and that you deserve answers. No, chances are that they don't take a note of every time you call them, unless you ask them to add an information to your file...calling them often doesn't slow up your application and calling them often doesn't make your file process faster, it just helps you understand where you are at at a specific moment.
- If you feel that your file is blocked and that you are totally sure about the integrity of your application, then don't hesitate to contact your federal deputee for help and information. They can't change the world, but they can get more information, and in some cases, support your file, by writing a support letter for example...
That's it I think
On ceremony day, you will see.... it is a touching moment. You suddenly start remembering all the things you have been through since you came to Canada, and when you get your certificate, you feel that it is an achievement, that you are fully part of this place now. It is a very nice feeling that I wish you will all go through as soon as possible.
So...Since friday, I am a Canadian Citizen!
I sent my application on the 15th of October 2013, CIC started processing it on the 17th of January 2014, I passed my test and my interview on july 14th 2014 and I became a citizen on september 5th at 8:30 Am
I have a few recommendations to help those who want to avoid problems. First of all, demystify the process... Keep in mind that if you are well prepared, serious, and have a clean file, you should have no reasons not to become a citizen in a timely manner. Before filing the appication, ask yourself the right questions : whatever you think is not clear to you, it will surely not be clear to CIC, so do your best to make everything CLEAR, don't hesitate to clear things up by writing explanation letters that are straight to the point and by adding them to your application. Well, first step is to fill up the application correctly, making sure that you are filling up the latest version and that no information is missing, should you have nothing to say at any of the questions, write N/A or S/O in french, this will make the agent understand that you actually read the question and that you confirm that you have nothing to say.
Secondly, about adding all sorts of supporting evidence to your application. Keep in mind that you, as a citizenship candidate, are required to prove that whatever you are saying is true. This being said, beware of excess! No need to send a full Bankers Box of documents, nobody will look at them, start by making sure that you have all the required documents, make sure that they are easily readable, that your story makes sense to you. Let someone else review your application for you, it might be boring, but honestly, we usually don't see the mistakes we make, so chances are that someone else will see them and help you correct them.
- Be very precises with the dates, should you not remember a date, ask for your Entry to Canada information from the Borders Agency, it is for free.
- Make sure that nothing is missing and if something is missing because you don't have it, either try to have it or write a letter to explain why you don't have it, knowing that " i don't know" is never a good answer.
- Don't even dream of applying if you are considering to hide information or to scam the system, simply follow the rules and take the time it needs to qualify by actually living here. If you fraud, you might get away with it, but you will never be at peace and your citizenship will always be at risk, honestly, waiting for a couple of months more and lawfully fulfilling the minimum requirements is a much better deal, if not, the only deal that you should think of!
- For the interview : Same thing, don't overdo it! Relax, sit back, and answer the agent's questions precisely. Also, know your passport by heart as no stamp should be there without you knowing why it is there. I personally used Mini post-its in my passport, every stamp had its little story.
- Enjoy applying for citizenship.... I personally didn't enjoy it at all, It was a very stressful period in my life, so don't take me as an example
- Should you have any questions before or after you apply, don't hesitate to contact CIC by phone, that's what the call center people are paid to do, don't ever worry about calling them too much or too little, if you feel that you need answers, then call them and ask straight to the point questions, remember that you are their Client and that you deserve answers. No, chances are that they don't take a note of every time you call them, unless you ask them to add an information to your file...calling them often doesn't slow up your application and calling them often doesn't make your file process faster, it just helps you understand where you are at at a specific moment.
- If you feel that your file is blocked and that you are totally sure about the integrity of your application, then don't hesitate to contact your federal deputee for help and information. They can't change the world, but they can get more information, and in some cases, support your file, by writing a support letter for example...
That's it I think
On ceremony day, you will see.... it is a touching moment. You suddenly start remembering all the things you have been through since you came to Canada, and when you get your certificate, you feel that it is an achievement, that you are fully part of this place now. It is a very nice feeling that I wish you will all go through as soon as possible.
