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Online citizenship test location requirement

Das67

Hero Member
Oct 19, 2019
967
560
Hi guys,
For those who are currently receiving online citizenship test invitations by email. Is it still a requirement that you have to be physically present in Canada to take the online test? I have checked this page and I can’t see the location requirement anymore. any suggestions?

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-test/online.html
You must be in Canada to take the test.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-test/tutorial.html
 

adey786

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Hi guys,
For those who are currently receiving online citizenship test invitations by email. Is it still a requirement that you have to be physically present in Canada to take the online test? I have checked this page and I can’t see the location requirement anymore. any suggestions?

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/citizenship-test/online.html

There are 3 yes.

1- Yes, you have to be in Canada for test

2- Yes, you have to be in Canada for interview (in 100% cases are being asked for interview)

3- Yes, you have to be in Canada for Oath
 
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BOYX

Hero Member
May 5, 2017
436
221
Toronto, ON
Do you know why?? That’s so dumb to me, especially if it’s online
I agree, it is quite dumb. But here are a couple of (not so good) reasons I suspect why (take them with a grain of salt):

- You must be in Canada when applying for the Citizenship. I believe you are not able to apply outside of Canada. Historically speaking, this stipulation makes sense; the government previously stipulated that the applicant must have intention to remain in Canada. Therefore, it is natural to only allow applications from within Canada. I suspect that when forgoing this requirement via legislation, the stipulation to apply from Canada was not amended.

- For the government to pursue legal avenues in the case of misrepresentation. I do believe misrepresentation cases are dealt with by a judge. In accordance with these procedures, I believe the government wishes to deal with the person in Canada, as opposed to muddying the water with international laws. I suspect this reason is also why one must inform IRCC if they leave the country.

- Unfair advantage. I won't even try to argue this point because it makes no sense to me. But I suspect it is possibly a reason behind the restriction.

In any case, I suspect only point two is reasonable. Point one is just typical bureaucracy. Point three makes no sense but I have a feeling IRCC justifies it in this sense. If you see reason in point 3, do let me know because I may be missing some context.

Therefore, all-in-all, I think the restriction is horrible and only proves to slow down the process. Hopefully someone else can pitch in and elaborate on any other potential reasons.
 
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BOYX

Hero Member
May 5, 2017
436
221
Toronto, ON
this is the rule, don't apply for citizenship if you dont like it
No, they are free to voice their concerns. If you don't believe they should voice their concerns, then you should not apply for a citizenship. If not on principle, then maybe because you will fail the test. Here is one of their rights that they are exercising:
  • Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of speech and of the press
 

from_india_to_canada

Star Member
Sep 18, 2019
178
84
No, they are free to voice their concerns. If you don't believe they should voice their concerns, then you should not apply for a citizenship. If not on principle, then maybe because you will fail the test. Here is one of their rights that they are exercising:
  • Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of speech and of the press
of course they are free to voice their concerns, and i am free to point out their stupidity, at which point did i say their speech should be censored?
 
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BOYX

Hero Member
May 5, 2017
436
221
Toronto, ON
of course they are free to voice their concerns, and i am free to point out their stupidity, at which point did i say their speech should be censored?
You said they shouldn't apply for the Citizenship. The implication is that they are not worthy of being a Canadian because they are complaining. Which is ironic because they are abiding by the core tenets of being a Canadian. Whereas, you are being a useless troll on an immigration forum. Nonetheless, you are free to apply for the Citizenship because being useless is not an exclusion.

And, it is quite interesting you refer to their complaint as stupid. Please enlighten us intelligent one; seemingly you see reason in the restriction. Or is it simply that you enjoy yapping without thought?
 

Kamilaapplebum

Star Member
Jul 1, 2019
60
28
I agree, it is quite dumb. But here are a couple of (not so good) reasons I suspect why (take them with a grain of salt):

- You must be in Canada when applying for the Citizenship. I believe you are not able to apply outside of Canada. Historically speaking, this stipulation makes sense; the government previously stipulated that the applicant must have intention to remain in Canada. Therefore, it is natural to only allow applications from within Canada. I suspect that when forgoing this requirement via legislation, the stipulation to apply from Canada was not amended.

- For the government to pursue legal avenues in the case of misrepresentation. I do believe misrepresentation cases are dealt with by a judge. In accordance with these procedures, I believe the government wishes to deal with the person in Canada, as opposed to muddying the water with international laws. I suspect this reason is also why one must inform IRCC if they leave the country.

- Unfair advantage. I won't even try to argue this point because it makes no sense to me. But I suspect it is possibly a reason behind the restriction.

In any case, I suspect only point two is reasonable. Point one is just typical bureaucracy. Point three makes no sense but I have a feeling IRCC justifies it in this sense. If you see reason in point 3, do let me know because I may be missing some context.

Therefore, all-in-all, I think the restriction is horrible and only proves to slow down the process. Hopefully someone else can pitch in and elaborate on any other potential reasons.
this is the rule, don't apply for citizenship if you dont like it
That’s the dumbest thing I have heard today. Why wouldn’t I apply for citizenship because I don’t agree with a rule? LOL We are living through a pandemic and have been waiting far longer for applications to get finalized than we are suppose to be. At the very least they should maybe have some sympathy for those who can’t abide by a “rule” sometimes. I’ve seen on so many occasions people who had to travel out of for funerals or to take care of family due to covid or stuck in other countries because there are no flights home only to have to delay their process even longer after already waiting this long. What if you were in Stuck in India and you received your test invite now? How would you feel??? Sometimes put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s simply not fair. The government has made temporary changes to their “rules” on many occasions due to the pandemic so there’s really no reason they couldn’t do so in this case too. But it seems they only do so if it’s in their favor. Im here in Canada so it doesn’t really effect me but I see it effecting those who couldn’t be and I feel for them.
 
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Lex2019

Hero Member
Jan 21, 2019
423
369
That’s the dumbest thing I have heard today. Why wouldn’t I apply for citizenship because I don’t agree with a rule? LOL We are living through a pandemic and have been waiting far longer for applications to get finalized than we are suppose to be. At the very least they should maybe have some sympathy for those who can’t abide by a “rule” sometimes. I’ve seen on so many occasions people who had to travel out of for funerals or to take care of family due to covid or stuck in other countries because there are no flights home only to have to delay their process even longer after already waiting this long. What if you were in Stuck in India and you received your test invite now? How would you feel??? Sometimes put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s simply not fair. The government has made temporary changes to their “rules” on many occasions due to the pandemic so there’s really no reason they couldn’t do so in this case too. But it seems they only do so if it’s in their favor. Im here in Canada so it doesn’t really effect me but I see it effecting those who couldn’t be and I feel for them.
Wrong place for sentiments. This forum neither sets nor changes any rules. Dumb or smart such they are. Either IRCC way or the highway at this point. Same going forward. Otherwise lawyer up, fight the system. Or get the citizenship and get elected to change them rules. Complaining here doesn't help. Not that you are complaining, but a general cry for injustice, dumbness of any rules on any forum has not changed a thing to date(with the little exception of spousal sponsorship, but for the cause in question there would be no one to protest as all potential victims of these rules would happen to be outside of Canada). It will take years to get changed IF it will. The general logic is to stick to the same rules as they were pre-pandemic: be in Canada whether for in-person tests/interviews/oaths or on-line. If one is stuck in India there are still reports of people flying in through other countries, alternatively it is always possible to re-schedule the test to a later date. And yes, there are losses in families and people have to travel out, but like pre-pandemic they would have to re-schedule their IRCC appointments and they need to do it now. No one is cancelling their applications for being outside of the country. Yes, IRCC has been very slow and steadily growing the backlog (for which I was going nuts myself too), but they didn't cause the pandemic at the end of the day.
 

BOYX

Hero Member
May 5, 2017
436
221
Toronto, ON
That’s the dumbest thing I have heard today. Why wouldn’t I apply for citizenship because I don’t agree with a rule? LOL We are living through a pandemic and have been waiting far longer for applications to get finalized than we are suppose to be. At the very least they should maybe have some sympathy for those who can’t abide by a “rule” sometimes. I’ve seen on so many occasions people who had to travel out of for funerals or to take care of family due to covid or stuck in other countries because there are no flights home only to have to delay their process even longer after already waiting this long. What if you were in Stuck in India and you received your test invite now? How would you feel??? Sometimes put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s simply not fair. The government has made temporary changes to their “rules” on many occasions due to the pandemic so there’s really no reason they couldn’t do so in this case too. But it seems they only do so if it’s in their favor. Im here in Canada so it doesn’t really effect me but I see it effecting those who couldn’t be and I feel for them.
Exactly, well said. There is a general lack of empathy in the population and it's very evident here. You are more than welcome to voice your concerns and critique the government. It's the process of democracy and there is no shame in calling out harmful rules.
 
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mickey2012

Newbie
Mar 31, 2021
3
3
this is the rule, don't apply for citizenship if you dont like it
Your response basically means "follow it because they said so".

A rule is whatever the rule maker designs. If in doubt, a thinking person is right to question the rationale behind a "rule" and not blindly follow it. On a balance of pros and cons, a person might decide to follow a rule, even if begrudgingly, in order to apply for Citizenship. But liking a rule is not a requirement for citizenship.

"Don't apply if you can't comply with this rule." - accurate
"Don't apply if you dislike or question a rule." - tyrannical and condescending
 
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hungkubu

Star Member
Nov 24, 2020
73
3
Hello everyone,

When we receive the test invite, how many days do we have to complete the test?

Thanks,