citizenship test waiver and effect on processing time

[lawhitt]

Hello,

Can anyone help with this? If you do not have to take the citizenship because you are over 54, what effect is this likely to have on the second stage of the processing time? Does it shorten it notably?

Many thanks for any help.

Shylee

[Leon]

I don't know if it has any effect.  The processing time between application and being called for the exam is dependent on background checks etc. and you will still do that.  At my exam, I saw that they had also called on the over 54's to show up.  The asked them to step out of the line where I saw they were interviewed for a short time by a judge.

The processing time between exam and oath is normally very short, was for me 2 months so I don't know if it would get any shorter than that for you.

[lawhitt]

Thanks very much Leon, for this helpful information.

[jckdry]

Take the citizenship test, if you are between the ages of 18 and 54.
 

Does this mean - after 54th birthday if one applies he is exempt from exam
Is it 54 th birthday or 55th birthday ?
What when one applies he is say 53 and when he is called for interview he is 54
or when one applies he is 54 nd when is called for interview he is 55

Meaning - while applying he has to take exam but while the application is being processed he is eligible for waiver
How does this affect his application , will he be waived exam or has to write it as they take into account application date

[Leon]

In one place they say if you are between 18 and 54, you must take the exam.  After your 54th birthday you are still 54 until your 55th birthday so I would assume that is included.  If you look at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/adults.asp they also say that adults 55 years of age or older are exempted.

It is possible that they take the date of application as a lock in and that you only don't have to take the exam if you are already 55 at the time you apply but I think it is also possible that they use the day you are called in for the exam.  I can recall when I took my exam that they asked people who are 55 or older to step out of the line.