So here is what happened with me, I applied for citizenship application back in December 2022. I received my notice to appear for test in June. I passed my test and was waiting for my ceremony date. The date I received to appear for my ceremony was Aug 30, 2023 but due to my wedding planned in month of October I already had the ticket booked to fly to India in the last week of September. I was worried about getting the passport and OCI on time before I go so I emailed the IRCC to postpone my ceremony until I return which will be December 2023. The IRCC emailed me the below on Aug 14:
"A request to reschedule a Citizenship Ceremony event is only considered under exceptional circumstances, ie death of an immediate family member, hospitalization of an immediate family member, or other situation of emergency/ critical nature etc. Each request must be made in writing and must be accompanied by the supporting documentation ie death certificates, doctor’s notes, or any documentation to support the request, etc.
If you feel that your circumstance warrants review under this criteria you may submit a request via email to this address. This request should clearly outline why your situation is exceptional and needs to have all supporting documentation included when you submit the request. Once received it will be reviewed and you will be notified whether your request will be accommodated.
If you have already missed your Citizenship Ceremony, please submit a detailed explanation as to why you were unable to attend and include any documentation you may have to support your request."
After receiving this email, I decided to appear for my ceremony and was planning to apply for express passport (1 day pickup) and Indian visa (hoping to get in 3-5 business days) instead of OCI . But then two days before my ceremony I received and email from IRCC again on 28 Aug:
"You are scheduled to take the Oath of Citizenship on August 30, 2023. We received the explanation you provided for being unable to attend this event. We reviewed your explanation and regret to inform you that it was deemed unreasonable and does not warrant an absence for the Oath of Citizenship. However, we will accommodate you and you will be scheduled into a future ceremony. You will receive the notice to appear, shortly before you return to Canada if not after."
So, I am not sure what happened at first because I attached all the supporting documents (Ticket itinerary and my wedding card) in the email but I am glad that IRCC looked into my situation and granted me the extension for citizenship ceremony. I just wanted to share this if anyone is struggling with the same situation.
"A request to reschedule a Citizenship Ceremony event is only considered under exceptional circumstances, ie death of an immediate family member, hospitalization of an immediate family member, or other situation of emergency/ critical nature etc. Each request must be made in writing and must be accompanied by the supporting documentation ie death certificates, doctor’s notes, or any documentation to support the request, etc.
If you feel that your circumstance warrants review under this criteria you may submit a request via email to this address. This request should clearly outline why your situation is exceptional and needs to have all supporting documentation included when you submit the request. Once received it will be reviewed and you will be notified whether your request will be accommodated.
If you have already missed your Citizenship Ceremony, please submit a detailed explanation as to why you were unable to attend and include any documentation you may have to support your request."
After receiving this email, I decided to appear for my ceremony and was planning to apply for express passport (1 day pickup) and Indian visa (hoping to get in 3-5 business days) instead of OCI . But then two days before my ceremony I received and email from IRCC again on 28 Aug:
"You are scheduled to take the Oath of Citizenship on August 30, 2023. We received the explanation you provided for being unable to attend this event. We reviewed your explanation and regret to inform you that it was deemed unreasonable and does not warrant an absence for the Oath of Citizenship. However, we will accommodate you and you will be scheduled into a future ceremony. You will receive the notice to appear, shortly before you return to Canada if not after."
So, I am not sure what happened at first because I attached all the supporting documents (Ticket itinerary and my wedding card) in the email but I am glad that IRCC looked into my situation and granted me the extension for citizenship ceremony. I just wanted to share this if anyone is struggling with the same situation.