Possible test date for Oct applicants

[duplex]

First I'd like to say I am Oct 16 applicant without AOR yet.

It is a bit early to ask about test date for C6 applicants, but due to a personal reason I'd like to start a discussion. Basically I am about to start a 6-month working term in another country (will be with at the same company, just working temporarily in a foreign office in western Europe for 6 months). It is about to start mid or late January 2018 and I plan to return before mid July if not earlier. Now looking at the AOR rate, it shows that IRCC is working fast to acknowledge our application (even though I haven't got one). After this we know application goes to local office for processing and it will later invite individual for test.

Before C6, the number of application does not seem to be high and test date may be 3 to 4 months after AOR if no significant issue is found with the application. After C6, we know there is 5 to 6 times higher number of applications submitted, and while AOR is issued fast, I don't know if the progress for processing, test invite, and oath will also be fast.

In the spreadsheet, September applicants just start seeing test date of early January, so I am guessing that the first C6 applicant test date will be February. Now, since the number of applicants are high, test date might be longer for late AOR recipients (myelf is one case) since local office cannot process at the same speed as IRCC. If I assume that AOR recipients of the same week will get test date in the same month (I know there is more factors here but just make it a simple or average case), then AOR recipient of week Oct 26 will have test date in February, week of Nov 2 in March, Nov 9 in April, Nov 16 in May, Nov 23 in June, then for me it will be at least July or later, depending on when I receive my AOR.

I am hoping that I don't have to come back in the middle of my assignment just for the test, so I would like to know if anyone can share their knowledge about it. I know no one can predict or really know the answer, but anything to be shared, e.g. understanding of how local office works, will be helpful. Of course, if it does come earlier than I will do everything to come back for it.

 

[razerblade]

First I'd like to say I am Oct 16 applicant without AOR yet.

It is a bit early to ask about test date for C6 applicants, but due to a personal reason I'd like to start a discussion. Basically I am about to start a 6-month working term in another country (will be with at the same company, just working temporarily in a foreign office in western Europe for 6 months). It is about to start mid or late January 2018 and I plan to return before mid July if not earlier. Now looking at the AOR rate, it shows that IRCC is working fast to acknowledge our application (even though I haven't got one). After this we know application goes to local office for processing and it will later invite individual for test.

Before C6, the number of application does not seem to be high and test date may be 3 to 4 months after AOR if no significant issue is found with the application. After C6, we know there is 5 to 6 times higher number of applications submitted, and while AOR is issued fast, I don't know if the progress for processing, test invite, and oath will also be fast.

In the spreadsheet, September applicants just start seeing test date of early January, so I am guessing that the first C6 applicant test date will be February. Now, since the number of applicants are high, test date might be longer for late AOR recipients (myelf is one case) since local office cannot process at the same speed as IRCC. If I assume that AOR recipients of the same week will get test date in the same month (I know there is more factors here but just make it a simple or average case), then AOR recipient of week Oct 26 will have test date in February, week of Nov 2 in March, Nov 9 in April, Nov 16 in May, Nov 23 in June, then for me it will be at least July or later, depending on when I receive my AOR.

I am hoping that I don't have to come back in the middle of my assignment just for the test, so I would like to know if anyone can share their knowledge about it. I know no one can predict or really know the answer, but anything to be shared, e.g. understanding of how local office works, will be helpful. Of course, if it does come earlier than I will do everything to come back for it.

You can postpone your test. I would suggest to inform IRCC of your travel plans after you get AOR (it's recommended on their website to inform them if you're going to be away for 2 weeks or more). I would also advise to keep checking your ECAS status and have someone keep an eye on your physical mailbox, in case IRCC sends a letter with invite for test/oath. If you do receive this letter, and cannot make it, you can inform IRCC and they can re-schedule for you.

Although, it's not ideal to re-schedule especially if you live in/near a city like Toronto where the processing centers are already overloaded. Someone on this forum mentioned that they rescheduled with IRCC and never heard back. Had to withdraw and reapply.

 

[Stef.]

Inform them via their webform once you get aor. I did this and it worked for me. Alternatively, fly back for the test.

 

[duplex]

You can postpone your test. I would suggest to inform IRCC of your travel plans after you get AOR (it's recommended on their website to inform them if you're going to be away for 2 weeks or more). I would also advise to keep checking your ECAS status and have someone keep an eye on your physical mailbox, in case IRCC sends a letter with invite for test/oath. If you do receive this letter, and cannot make it, you can inform IRCC and they can re-schedule for you.

Although, it's not ideal to re-schedule especially if you live in/near a city like Toronto where the processing centers are already overloaded. Someone on this forum mentioned that they rescheduled with IRCC and never heard back. Had to withdraw and reapply.

Thanks for answering my questions. I do know that I should inform them using the webform. Once I have my AOR and I know the date I am leaving, I will submit it like a week or two before I actually leave. Out of curiosity, if before I actually leave I haven't get AOR (hopefully not), then what should I do? Keep waiting until they issue me the AOR and submit the form telling them that I have left Canada and plan to return at a certain date? And regardless which case it is, what should I exactly write/include in the form? What if I plan to come back for test if they do ask me before I finish my project, do I just say I am out of the country and will come back for test whenever they want (this will probably be the case since I don't want to delay the process)?

Actually, what you mentioned is probably more important to me ( and this question has been asked many times in the past by others) - is it okay to leave Canada after application is submitted? In my case, I am planning to go to a remote office of my company for a bit less than six months, so I will keep my house here and I won't change my job or position. I also had an offer letter from the company which clearly defines the purpose of this temporal transition, length of the secondment, and all terms about me returning in six months. When I return, I will also still be a valid PR since I haven't left here since I became PR in April 2015 (except a few short trips) so residence obligation is still met. Do I have to worry that my case will be considered non-routine or might even be rejected?

 

[duplex]

Inform them via their webform once you get aor. I did this and it worked for me. Alternatively, fly back for the test.

Good to know that it worked for you. Can you share a bit about you case/situation? In addition, what should I write/include in the webform if I plan to come back whenever they want me to show up for test or want them to reschedule a later test date (please see my previous post with more details about my situation)?

 

[NewUser2018]

first why not wait your AOR? Oct & November applicants will take good 8 months to be citizenship due to so many apps and final AOR in 3th week of December 2017.

 

[duplex]

first why not wait your AOR? Oct & November applicants will take good 8 months to be citizenship due to so many apps and final AOR in 3th week of December 2017.

I am waiting my AOR, the question is about possible test date and how to deal with it giving that I will have to leave abroad temporarily for under 6 months.

 

[razerblade]

Thanks for answering my questions. I do know that I should inform them using the webform. Once I have my AOR and I know the date I am leaving, I will submit it like a week or two before I actually leave. Out of curiosity, if before I actually leave I haven't get AOR (hopefully not), then what should I do? Keep waiting until they issue me the AOR and submit the form telling them that I have left Canada and plan to return at a certain date? And regardless which case it is, what should I exactly write/include in the form? What if I plan to come back for test if they do ask me before I finish my project, do I just say I am out of the country and will come back for test whenever they want (this will probably be the case since I don't want to delay the process)?

Actually, what you mentioned is probably more important to me ( and this question has been asked many times in the past by others) - is it okay to leave Canada after application is submitted? In my case, I am planning to go to a remote office of my company for a bit less than six months, so I will keep my house here and I won't change my job or position. I also had an offer letter from the company which clearly defines the purpose of this temporal transition, length of the secondment, and all terms about me returning in six months. When I return, I will also still be a valid PR since I haven't left here since I became PR in April 2015 (except a few short trips) so residence obligation is still met. Do I have to worry that my case will be considered non-routine or might even be rejected?

Unfortunately, you will need to wait till you get AOR. Without AOR (file number), they have no way of tracking your file, and sending them any updates will be pointless.

About the other question on what to write on the web form, do keep in mind I'm not an expert. If I were you, I would first call IRCC and find out what they suggest your options are. Then I would use the webform. I think you will need to decide whether you will come back for the test or you want them to hold off on sending the invite till you're back. Again I'm just guessing. I haven't done so myself.

It is absolutely ok to leave Canada after applying. Some of my friends went on extended vacations to their home country and recently became citizens without issues. Just make sure to take all sorts of proofs about the temporary position for the interview. They may or may not ask about it. I don't think your case will be non-routine for this reason. You have already satisfied the physical presence requirement, and the controversial "intend to reside" clause was removed with Bill C6.

 

[duplex]

Unfortunately, you will need to wait till you get AOR. Without AOR (file number), they have no way of tracking your file, and sending them any updates will be pointless.

About the other question on what to write on the web form, do keep in mind I'm not an expert. If I were you, I would first call IRCC and find out what they suggest your options are. Then I would use the webform. I think you will need to decide whether you will come back for the test or you want them to hold off on sending the invite till you're back. Again I'm just guessing. I haven't done so myself.

It is absolutely ok to leave Canada after applying. Some of my friends went on extended vacations to their home country and recently became citizens without issues. Just make sure to take all sorts of proofs about the temporary position for the interview. They may or may not ask about it. I don't think your case will be non-routine for this reason. You have already satisfied the physical presence requirement, and the controversial "intend to reside" clause was removed with Bill C6.

Thanks again for your opinion. I also think what I should do is to send them a webform to indicate that I will leave the country for a while (or that I have left if AOR comes after I left - I hope it's not the case since I applied on Oct 16). I would mention that I will come back for test if scheduled to make sure that it is not delayed.

One curious question is, if I stayed in the country I am going to for more than 183 days and the test takes place after I return, do I have to prepare a police clearance from that country? If needed then I would try to not go over 183 days.

 

[razerblade]

Thanks again for your opinion. I also think what I should do is to send them a webform to indicate that I will leave the country for a while (or that I have left if AOR comes after I left - I hope it's not the case since I applied on Oct 16). I would mention that I will come back for test if scheduled to make sure that it is not delayed.

One curious question is, if I stayed in the country I am going to for more than 183 days and the test takes place after I return, do I have to prepare a police clearance from that country? If needed then I would try to not go over 183 days.

Depending on the officer reviewing your file, that's a very valid possibility. I believe I read examples of both cases where someone was asked to provide a PCC, while another person wasn't. Best to have it ready IMO.

 

[duplex]

Depending on the officer reviewing your file, that's a very valid possibility. I believe I read examples of both cases where someone was asked to provide a PCC, while another person wasn't. Best to have it ready IMO.

I guess what I will do is to stay for below 180 days to not trigger this.

Thanks for sharing your understanding and opinion on this thread.

 

[Stef.]

Good to know that it worked for you. Can you share a bit about you case/situation? In addition, what should I write/include in the webform if I plan to come back whenever they want me to show up for test or want them to reschedule a later test date (please see my previous post with more details about my situation)?

I knew I would be away for six weeks around May 2017 and then again three weeks in September.

I contacted them in early April, explaining that I had to go home to look after my mother. I attached my flight booking confirmations plus a copy of my Mum’s passport, showing her age and her address.
I got my test date in between the two trips and my oath date one day after my return from the second trip.
Now in your case: if you know that you can make it back for the test then I would not tell them at all.
If you go without knowing when you come back, then I can’t help you as I don’t know how they will take it if you tell them you don’t know when you will be back. While the clause to reside has been stripped it doesn’t mean they can’t make your life difficult...
So probably in your case I would hope to make it back for the test and if you can’t ...better come up with a good explanation. Needless to say, this will very likely prolonged the process if they have to give you a new date.

 

[duplex]

I knew I would be away for six weeks around May 2017 and then again three weeks in September.

I contacted them in early April, explaining that I had to go home to look after my mother. I attached my flight booking confirmations plus a copy of my Mum’s passport, showing her age and her address.
I got my test date in between the two trips and my oath date one day after my return from the second trip.
Now in your case: if you know that you can make it back for the test then I would not tell them at all.
If you go without knowing when you come back, then I can’t help you as I don’t know how they will take it if you tell them you don’t know when you will be back. While the clause to reside has been stripped it doesn’t mean they can’t make your life difficult...
So probably in your case I would hope to make it back for the test and if you can’t ...better come up with a good explanation. Needless to say, this will very likely prolonged the process if they have to give you a new date.

Thanks for sharing. I know that I will be leaving at mid of January, and return after 25 weeks (which is early July). I have a letter from my company to show the temporal secondment for a project and that I will return here to continue my employment. I think I have a good explanation.

My intention is to come back for test if it does happen in the middle of my absence, but according to their rules I should tell them if I am leaving for more than 2 weeks, right? I think it is better to still mention it and say that I will come for test if scheduled.

 

[Stef.]

Thanks for sharing. I know that I will be leaving at mid of January, and return after 25 weeks (which is early July). I have a letter from my company to show the temporal secondment for a project and that I will return here to continue my employment. I think I have a good explanation.

My intention is to come back for test if it does happen in the middle of my absence, but according to their rules I should tell them if I am leaving for more than 2 weeks, right? I think it is better to still mention it and say that I will come for test if scheduled.

I think it says you should let them know, not that you must let them know. Again, if it does not say “must” and you know you can come back then I do not see the need.
Nevertheless, once you appear for the test they know that you have been away as they have it in their computer system when you left Canada and when you came back.
I would just worry that the application ends up on a pile that they deal with once you are back.