November 2024 - Citizenship Applications

[moman21]

No. The guarantor is only responsible for the text that they sign, which is on the passport form on the first page.

I'm going to simplify: they swear that they have known the person for at least two years; that the photo (which they also sign I think) is a true likeness; that they've looked at any supporting documents (if any); and they look at the rest of the application form and that it is true to the best of their knowledge.

I put true 'to the best of their knowledge' in italics because this is important - the guarantor is NOT expected to check or make any inquiries to confirm any of the other details on the application, they are NOT stating that everything is true. They don't have to check your work history, height, what exact date you became a citizen, they're not expected to be document experts, confirm your addresses or your family status, age, place of birth, etc. In fact the guarantor doesn't need to know ANYTHING about your immigration/citizenship status is true - just that you are, to the best of their knowledge, the person claiming to be XYZ. True 'to the best of their knowledge' means exactly that - if they think any part of it is NOT true, they can just not sign. If they don't know whether some part is true or not, that's fine, that should not prevent them from signing.

Their only 'liability' is getting in trouble for making deliberately false and misleading statements. That is, if they didn't know you at all and signed this, that's a false statement. If they didn't know you never studied at university X (as you had always told them), there's no issue.

They are NOT taking any responsibility for your behaviour, financial success or not, etc. None. Only that as far as they're aware, the info is true and they've known you a couple years.

In broader terms: as far as I'm aware, the guarantors are rarely if ever 'held liable.' The applicant takes the responsibility first and foremost. It's not worth government's time to pursue guarantors if there's some issue (amongst other thigns, hard to prove the guarantor knew something was false). I'm sure there are exceptions, but I'm quite confident they would only be for cases where guarantors had repeatedly, knowingly, purposefully, and maliciously done this - imagine somebody working in a shady 'get you a fake passport' business.

In my view no normal citizen should be remotely concerned about signing as a guarantor - as long as they know the person applying and have seen the picture. If anyone IS concerned, it's my belief they are simply scared by the word 'guarantor' - and I wish the government would change it for this reason. (It really is no different in most respects than someone witnessing a document, with the same risks of issues - very low).

They are not 'guaranteeing' anything except that they've known the actual (physical) person for at least two years. They're not legally or financially responsible for you - only that they told the truth on the docs they signed.

In the 'old days', the guarantor was one of a limited number of trusted professions - doctors, religious officiants, lawyers, certain govt officials (lots of them actually), etc; I forget whether teachers and professors were on the list. People in these professions routinely signed guarantor docs for passport purposes, as far as I'm aware for free; it was considered another small public service they were expected to provide as part of their public 'license.' Note most of these are regulated and/or given certain authorities by government; they're used to signing docs where they take personal and professional responsibility. (My father was in one of these professions and did it all the time; he was happy to do so, it was part of community service. Everyone related to his work but also our neighbours, our street, parents of our school chums, everyone - as long as he knew them two years).

People complained for various reasons, and they changed it. I think many complained they didn't know a doctor or lawyer or dentist or priest, etc. I'm sure some of these professions complained it wasn't compensated work. I'm not convinced it's made anything better to change it.

Great write up. This should be pinned if possible for future reference.

Also, a family member or relative can be your guarantor. Should be less hesitation to sign for most.

 

[SBANTYMANY]

UPDATE:
My background check completed today. Tracker indicates completed on March 11. Its is strange that the tracker does not show FP request even thought I got the request via email. FP was given on Feb 20 and RCMP sent it on Feb 26.

 

[aman0312]

seems like they processed yours in time. My fingerprints request was feb 12th, provided on 15th, RCMP sent to IRCC on 21st, still background is in progress. But who can tell how they do it. all the best.

 

[mesmerizer85]

@Sevou @mesmerizer85 you guys see any of your LPP change yet?

No update since BG got completed on March 8th.. When I called IRCC after that they said now my file is with Sydney office Test came from NGF and FP From Vancouver

 

[zm95]

Update!

Office: Sydney (Based on where the AOR was sent from, not sure if current, I didn't call and check)
Location: Montreal
Application Filed: October 31st 2024
AOR: November 15th, 2024
In Progress: November 18th, 2024
Background Complete: December 15th, 2024
Test Email: January 17th, 2025
Test Scheduled Online: 24th January - 22nd February 2025
Test Taken: 29th January 2025
Test Updated on Tracker: 31st January 2025
LLP: Complete February 15th - Updated on tracker February 18th
Oath: 14th March - In progress, scheduled for March 20th Virtual!

 

[Sevou]

No update since BG got completed on March 8th.. When I called IRCC after that they said now my file is with Sydney office Test came from NGF and FP From Vancouver

@mesmerizer85 Seems like File travels more than we people do.

 

[DocumentJourney]

No update since BG got completed on March 8th.. When I called IRCC after that they said now my file is with Sydney office Test came from NGF and FP From Vancouver

My test came from NGF and FP from Vancouver as well so I’m wondering if my application is with Sydney too now. Lets keep each other in the loop.

 

[USProgrammer]

Got an ATIP response early (always not good), asking me for a copy of signed government ID for my wife as well as signed with ink and scanned copy of the consent form. She signed it using an apple pencil in the PDF electronically, but for some reason they want you to print it, sign it with blue ink, and scan it. Government efficiency!

Submitted back to the ATIP/GCMS email within an hour or so, so hopefully the GCMS request will continue for her GCMS notes.

 

[USProgrammer]

My test came from NGF and FP from Vancouver as well so I’m wondering if my application is with Sydney too now. Lets keep each other in the loop.

You could just call IRCC and ask what the primary, secondary, and events VO's are, if you want.

 

[DocumentJourney]

You could just call IRCC and ask what the primary, secondary, and events VO's are, if you want.

I will probably call at some point next week. Not rushing to call at this point because it’s not like there’s any pattern as to how each office processes applications respectively. Seems pretty random.

 

[Sevou]

My test came from NGF and FP from Vancouver as well so I’m wondering if my application is with Sydney too now. Lets keep each other in the loop.

I am in same boat test came From NGF and FP from Vancouver office.

 

[ILoveBritishColumbia]

You could just call IRCC and ask what the primary, secondary, and events VO's are, if you want.

What's the difference between primary and secondary VO's? Does primary usually handle certain parts of the application and secondary other parts?

 

[USProgrammer]

What's the difference between primary and secondary VO's? Does primary usually handle certain parts of the application and secondary other parts?

That’s a really good question. I honestly don’t know. I’ve always just ignored the secondary VO.

 

[tingyun]

Test marked complete today.
Application Nov end
AOR Dec 5
Test: Feb 6 thru March 8
Test taken: today
FG request - mid feb
FG given - mid feb
Test marked complete- March 11

Seems like we’re on the same batch.
Sydney office?

 

[Asli]

UPDATE:
Type: Online application
Location: Toronto
Physical Presence Days: 1500+days
Application: Family. 3 kids, 2 adults
Application sent: Nov 26th, 2024
AOR: December 5th
Exam date: Feb7-March 8
Exam Passed on March 3rd
March 8: LPP completed
March 14: The citizenship ceremony date on the tracker is April 7. Waiting for the official letter.