Paper vs Online citizenship application in 2022

[chaudri]

Hi All,

I am due to apply for my citizenship next month (March 2022), I'll be filing as a single candidate. Based on trends from last year, do you advise applying on paper or online using the portal?

Thanks in Advance.

 

[CdnWifeLivingInThailand]

Hi All,

I am due to apply for my citizenship next month (March 2022), I'll be filing as a single candidate. Based on trends from last year, do you advise applying on paper or online using the portal?

Thanks in Advance.

Definitely online. They could always change how they process things, and decide to focus on older, paper applications, but at this time, especially with the pandemic and working remotely, the online applications are almost all much quicker at being processed. I wish I had applied online, but, I applied right before online was available.

 

[lordoftherings]

Definitely online. They could always change how they process things, and decide to focus on older, paper applications, but at this time, especially with the pandemic and working remotely, the online applications are almost all much quicker at being processed. I wish I had applied online, but, I applied right before online was available.

Really? What I've seen is that paper applications are moving faster especially when waiting to receive AORs. I applied in November 2021 and received my AOR within 2 months time. Compared to other online applicants who are still waiting or recieved theirs this February.

 

[phoenix232]

I read few things here and there and just giving you a brief.


Looking at the current pandemic, the IRCC agent can take the envelop for paper applicants and work on them at their home. For online applicants the issue might be more of a security reason that they can't access certain things on internet ( not sure what jargon to use lol ) and that is why there are limited applications being processed for them. As we move in future, once everything is back to normal Online applicants would get more traction as it's easier to work on them rather than handling all the paperwork .

In short - Paper for now, Online later

 

[americanidiot]

Looking at the current pandemic, the IRCC agent can take the envelop for paper applicants and work on them at their home. For online applicants the issue might be more of a security reason that they can't access certain things on internet ( not sure what jargon to use lol ) and that is why there are limited applications being processed for them. As we move in future, once everything is back to normal Online applicants would get more traction as it's easier to work on them rather than handling all the paperwork .

This sounds like hearsay. So it's okay take confidential documents home but it's not okay to access them using a computer and a VPN?

 

[chaudri]

this is what I am confused about. Logic says that online would be easier to process vs paper, but looking at trends from last year, paper applications are seeing more movement (that's what I feel and hence asking for opinion on this post)

 

[funloving]

This sounds like hearsay. So it's okay take confidential documents home but it's not okay to access them using a computer and a VPN?

Ofcourse it is. With Online access you get a lot of risk for online hacking/information leaking. The online application was anyways a trial that they applied and even today they only allow single applicants with simpler applications to apply online. So, they might be working on the background for the online security etc. but meanwhile taking papers homes is much safer.

 

[americanidiot]

this is what I am confused about. Logic says that online would be easier to process vs paper, but looking at trends from last year, paper applications are seeing more movement (that's what I feel and hence asking for opinion on this post)

I don't think anyone knows. It's possible that they have far more online applications since in the past year more people decided to apply that way so it appears that it's slower but it's only the volume of applicants. In any case, online filing has a lot of convenience so if you can apply online, you should do that.

 

[ycheng]

I just applied online, and looking through all the comments make me stressed out a little, haha. But I think even it's true that online application is generally slower than the paper applications, it is still more convenient to me (I can only comfort myself into thinking this way, haha). Anyway, I think online or paper, either should be fine

 

[engray]

Online is the way forward. Comb through 2021 threads and do your own analysis, but you will see that Online moves faster (relatively).
Honestly, it's less hassle from applicant point of view. Also, IRCC has been expanding the criteria. It even says on the website "Apply: Apply online if you can": https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen.html#:~:text=Apply online, if you can

 

[chaudri]

Thank you, I guess online is the way to go.

Another question: In the application form, they only asked if you filed taxes in the last 5 years and NOT details of returns, Is that correct?

I could only see a yes/no option for taxes.

 

[engray]

Thank you, I guess online is the way to go.

Another question: In the application form, they only asked if you filed taxes in the last 5 years and NOT details of returns, Is that correct?

I could only see a yes/no option for taxes.

Not sure which application form you are referring to, but last time I checked it was yes/No boxes for 1) Required to file 2) Filed taxes. No need to expand on detailed returns. You also need to provide your SIN and consent

 

[engray]

my experience working in/with fed organizations in general is that they will make it a pretty darn big deal (even if it is not). You think IRCC will be any different?
There are no two opinions they forgot about paper applications and were working on online applications full throttle (perhaps still are). Perhaps what changed is the noise through news which made them start working on 2019 and 2020 paper applications again.

Online application option has been offered since December 2020, I'm pretty sure there is no going-back at this point..
Also, from ATIP notes, their plan was to finalize 5k online applications while clearing the backlog. They also have a modified FIFO queue when processing online applications. right now, AOR dates for online applications come earlier than paper by a small margin. More and more people are going to apply online. Once everyone (military, crown personnel, family with minors etc.) can apply online. I wouldn't be surprised if they restricted who can apply by paper.

 

[maniacworld]

no one is saying that. they better follow a bloody sequence. thats all most applicants here ask

 

[caimmigrant123]

Not sure which application form you are referring to, but last time I checked it was yes/No boxes for 1) Required to file 2) Filed taxes. No need to expand on detailed returns. You also need to provide your SIN and consent

I am filling my application and this is what I see as well. For 2021, do we say Yes for Required to file and No for Filed Taxes if we haven't filed our taxes for 2021 yet (which isn't due yet)?