Residency questionnaire (0171)

[toby]

That's a fantastic advice Toby.
I did however notice that they never went over the list during the year that they had the file and the purpose of the interview is to quickly match the list. Any problem/issue that raises a flag is not dealt with in "real-time" but rather generates the RQ. They weren't interested in seeing any documents - just list check.

It's ironic that by spending a few moments to verify documents, CIC could save itself the major time required for an interview. It's false economy to stint at the document-assessment stage.

Really, the entire operation needs a serious overhaul.

 

[bestplace4u]

Hello everyone my wife had her test in first week of September 2011 Vancouver BC and she is still waiting for oath ceremony.
Please note she also filed for my PR application from Islamabad office in 2010 and that is still in pending.
Any idea what could be the reason of delay for her oath ceremony? It has been 4 months since she gave her test.

 

[amirchov]

It's ironic that by spending a few moments to verify documents, CIC could save itself the major time required for an interview. It's false economy to stint at the document-assessment stage.

Really, the entire operation needs a serious overhaul.

I completely agree with you toby.

 

[toby]

That's a fantastic advice Toby.
I did however notice that they never went over the list during the year that they had the file and the purpose of the interview is to quickly match the list. Any problem/issue that raises a flag is not dealt with in "real-time" but rather generates the RQ. They weren't interested in seeing any documents - just list check.

That must be frustrating!

I asked in a separate thread for practical tips from those who successfully renewed their PR cards, even though they had a lot of stamps in their passports, but had no RQ from CIC.

What does "RQ" stand for?

 

[Mary Chad]

I agree with amirchov...i took all the documents which shows my presence very next day of
US visit(i stayed in Niagara casino hotel for a night so took the checkout recipt as well) but
officer next bothered to even look at the docs...so lets see if i get RQ....

RQ stands for Residensy Questionaire

 

[amirchov]

Yes it's quite frustrating. I was annoyed by 2 things:

1. During the year they had my file, it seems they did nothing significant with it other than putting it in a binder and writing my name on it. They could have checked my SIN for activity (taxes); they could have checked OHIP activity; they could have checked border control entry/exit status; but they preferred the anachronistic method of checking stamps.

2. When I asked the CIC officer why can't she contact immigration at the border control, and retrieve a list of absences, she replied by "we can't do that". So immigration is not communicating with immigration. Classic!

When I'm done with this process I will certainly contact the local MP. As a former project manager I am astound by the inefficiency of this whole process.

It is just important to remember it is not the CIC officers' fault; they are bound by the rules and regulations imposed on them from the government. It's the process which is flawed, not the people handling the applications or the judges.

Mary - Good luck! I really hope that one single land exit from Toronto won't generate the RQ.

 

[Mary Chad]

Yes hope that too, will keep everyone posted.
Good luck

 

[Quince777]

Yes it's quite frustrating. I was annoyed by 2 things:

1. During the year they had my file, it seems they did nothing significant with it other than putting it in a binder and writing my name on it. They could have checked my SIN for activity (taxes); they could have checked OHIP activity; they could have checked border control entry/exit status; but they preferred the anachronistic method of checking stamps.

How did you check on whether anything had been done on your file?
We're waiting for more than a year now too

 

[amirchov]

How did you check on whether anything had been done on your file?
We're waiting for more than a year now too

The only thing you can do is call the CIC phone number and request a status update (1-888-242‑2100) - they can also tell you if anything was missing from the application.
Just understand that they don't have a full picture of what is happening with the application. For example, they couldn't tell me if I passed the test or not; They could only tell me that they received everything they need, and that they do not require anything else.

I've been waiting in the "RQ queue" for 14 months now... so all together the application has been going-on for 26 months...

Good luck!

 

[Quince777]

Thanks for sharing! My hubby has the same timeline as you, now waiting for 13-14 months probably. What a long wait!

 

[us2yow]

Amirchov,

In your case is it because there are so many periodic exits to US /overseas and you used Nexus that there are a lot of exits they have to reconcile ??

Might one inquire how many total trips you had over the 4 year period counted for citizenship ? and if its was mostly by road or flight ?

It is quite confusing...and seems like only some offices give the RQ more or is it a particular person who is mean/tough ? Cant put my finger on it.

Looking forward to your response. Thx !

 

[amirchov]

Amirchov,

In your case is it because there are so many periodic exits to US /overseas and you used Nexus that there are a lot of exits they have to reconcile ??

Might one inquire how many total trips you had over the 4 year period counted for citizenship ? and if its was mostly by road or flight ?

It is quite confusing...and seems like only some offices give the RQ more or is it a particular person who is mean/tough ? Cant put my finger on it.

Looking forward to your response. Thx !

I was missing stamps (because of the Nexus) but in my case I had over 30 trips (mostly business) 99% by air.
So once they cannot verify the length of the trip, they send you to the RQ lineup. Can't blame them for that - it's the process. What I can blame them for is not having a system that incorporates border tracking (and I know they CAN do that).

I don't think they are mean or tough - they are just suspicious and should be cause some people abuse the system.

 

[us2yow]

Thanks again Amirchov ! appreciate your candid response and the willingness to share your insights.

 

[amirchov]

Thanks again Amirchov ! appreciate your candid response and the willingness to share your insights.

You are welcome I'll update my status once things start moving...

 

[canadiancoops]

So basically its better for someone to miss out the dates travelled abroad when completing their residence questionnaire if they dont have stamps than actually put them in and try to prove they came back when they did to avoid RQ.