Can someone confirm with what buffer over the minimum should I apply for citizenship? I am thinking of applying with a buffer of 30 days, is it going to be okay or should I apply with a larger buffer to avoid any non-routine processing.
I understand 30 days is a good buffer however If I make it 45 days, will it improve the processing time of my citizenship application.
I fully concur with the observations emphasizing that the key to reducing the risk of non-routine processing is two-fold:
Completeness and Accuracy. And this is in regards to all parts of the application, all the information provided.
A buffer of days physically present over and above the minimum requirement is an additional element that should reduce the risk of non-routine processing. But to be clear,
a buffer (no matter how large)
will NOT improve the processing time. It can help avoid or reduce the risk of non-routine processing that increases the processing time.
There are two main reasons for a buffer:
(1) to cover potential errors/omissions (it happens), so that the applicant continues to meet the requirements even if they overlooked a trip resulting in a deduction of days credited toward meeting the presence requirement (remember that just one day short, as of the day the application is made, means the application will be denied)
(2) to reduce the risk the total stranger bureaucrat assessing physical presence has concerns about physical presence
I typically refer to a month as a "
good buffer" for most applicants because there should be little difficulty waiting that much longer to apply and for most that is enough to cover an overlooked trip, and enough to reassure processing agents there is no need to investigate further (no need to look beyond the routine verifications, like the CBSA travel history and comparing address and activity history dates, other nominal cross-checks).
I have addressed situations in which an applicant might consider waiting to apply with a bigger buffer in other topics, such as in regards to relying on pre-PR credit for days in Canada with implied status, or as a visa exempt visitor not issued a visitor's record (this is about a big enough buffer to cover those periods just in case IRCC does not verify the individual's temporary resident status for those days). Among other personal circumstances specific to the particular applicant (I waited for more than an extra year, but that was about my particular situation and history, including being self-employed doing the very same thing I did before moving to Canada for the very same, not Canadian publisher). There is no precise formula to follow. How much buffer, over a month (many in this forum have suggested ten days is plenty), is a very personal matter.
