2023 Citizenship Applications

[GFLiam]

since when it was on hold ? or when was the first time you received an info stating its on hold (generally GSMC notes) ?
bcz on hold means they are not working on it, pending an investigation or smtg as per section 13

I just saw it in the GCMS notes late last year. And yes, I've heard an agent telling me it's under investigation. Yet, what investigation? No one knows.

By any chance you been on protected person status like got PR by refugee status.
Which country your citizenship currently is in
I guess now it’s Been more than year your background is complete they have to do that again as well
Sorry don’t mind my questions it’s ok if you don’t want to answer

I'd rather not disclose too much in detail, but I can tell you it has nothing to do with refugee or anything in my background that could trigger this. It's a total mismanagement on IRCC's part.

 

[LuckyAngelSweety]

Hi, I see members discussing their long pending citizenship application. I had enquired for my application with IRCC and came to know my application was selected under "non-routine application" which takes atleast 3 years to get processed.

Any idea here about the "non-routine" applications ? Any criteria they select a application as non-routine ? Or is it just the fate of the applicant that it was picked up as non-rountine ? any thoughts ?

 

[Scotteye]

Hi, I see members discussing their long pending citizenship application. I had enquired for my application with IRCC and came to know my application was selected under "non-routine application" which takes atleast 3 years to get processed.

Any idea here about the "non-routine" applications ? Any criteria they select an application as non-routine ? Or is it just the fate of the applicant that it was picked up as non-rountine ? any thoughts ?

It just depends on on them. When did you apply, if they requested fingerprint criminal record check the non routine. Or background check taking longer time it’s non routine
It just depends on them.

 

[GFLiam]

Hi, I see members discussing their long pending citizenship application. I had enquired for my application with IRCC and came to know my application was selected under "non-routine application" which takes atleast 3 years to get processed.

Any idea here about the "non-routine" applications ? Any criteria they select a application as non-routine ? Or is it just the fate of the applicant that it was picked up as non-rountine ? any thoughts ?

There used to be this list on IRCC's website that outlines what would trigger the non-routine label, stuff like requested for fingerprints, missing an interview, failing citizenship tests twice...etc
However, sometime in 2024 IRCC quietly deleted that page. My assumption is too many people like me pointed to that page and ask our applications didn't fall into any of those categories, so what gives and they couldn't provide a good answer to what the heck is going on.

 

[jsnalcrz]

Hi, I see members discussing their long pending citizenship application. I had enquired for my application with IRCC and came to know my application was selected under "non-routine application" which takes atleast 3 years to get processed.

Any idea here about the "non-routine" applications ? Any criteria they select a application as non-routine ? Or is it just the fate of the applicant that it was picked up as non-rountine ? any thoughts ?

https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1169&top=3

 

[ArrMatey]

Nearing 20 months of waiting and I'm at my wit's end.

Kudos to those who have been waiting longer and still keeping their cool.

 

[GFLiam]

Nearing 20 months of waiting and I'm at my wit's end.

Kudos to those who have been waiting longer and still keeping their cool.

Oh don't get us wrong, none of us can keep our cool, but seriously what can we do that's productive in our situation

 

[vahiz]

Hi, I see members discussing their long pending citizenship application. I had enquired for my application with IRCC and came to know my application was selected under "non-routine application" which takes atleast 3 years to get processed.

Any idea here about the "non-routine" applications ? Any criteria they select a application as non-routine ? Or is it just the fate of the applicant that it was picked up as non-rountine ? any thoughts ?

More than 3 years? Won't Mandamus help?

 

[Seym]

More than 3 years? Won't Mandamus help?

It can, but it's not a magic trick. It's quite costly to pursue, it's a complicated process, and there's no guarantee the court will side with the applicant (long story short, the FC needs to agree that all the Apotex criteria and Conille criteria are met, and any one of those can derail the application. The length of delay is just a part of the story here...). And to be honest, the more people have waited, the closer they are to the finish line, and the more lawyering up risks being a costly move that barely moved the needle. :/

 

[GFLiam]

It can, but it's not a magic trick. It's quite costly to pursue, it's a complicated process, and there's no guarantee the court will side with the applicant (long story short, the FC needs to agree that all the Apotex criteria and Conille criteria are met, and any one of those can derail the application. The length of delay is just a part of the story here...). And to be honest, the more people have waited, the closer they are to the finish line, and the more lawyering up risks being a costly move that barely moved the needle. :/

I agree. There are no doubt a few people here went with the mandamus route and their applications got approved within months of that. Yet, who's to say if their application was already nearing completion and mandamus was more of a coincidence than a cause?

 

[Sywaseem]

I agree. There are no doubt a few people here went with the mandamus route and their applications got approved within months of that. Yet, who's to say if their application was already nearing completion and mandamus was more of a coincidence than a cause?

Not all mandamus cases are being approved. I filed the second stage of mandamus and awaiting. Clearly, IRCC is aware of the backlog in the Federal Court and that it could take months before any hearing is scheduled (if approved). Mandamus is not as effective at present at it may have been 12 months back.

 

[unsure dream]

Hi, I see members discussing their long pending citizenship application. I had enquired for my application with IRCC and came to know my application was selected under "non-routine application" which takes atleast 3 years to get processed.

Any idea here about the "non-routine" applications ? Any criteria they select a application as non-routine ? Or is it just the fate of the applicant that it was picked up as non-rountine ? any thoughts ?

Who give you the 3 years timeline?

 

[vahiz]

Aren’t all applications that take more than normal processing times non routine? Don’t think that means it necessarily takes more than 3 years, does it?

 

[Seym]

Aren’t all applications that take more than normal processing times non routine? Don’t think that means it necessarily takes more than 3 years, does it?

Yeah, they generally all are. And no, it doesn't necessarily take 3 years. It absolutely can be less : I've seen elsewhere some July 2023 applicants get their background completed and their oath ceremony recently, so 2 years here (crossing fingers, I'm also waiting for a July 2023 application...). It can also be much much more for "exceptional" cases : Sharafaldin applied for citizenship in 1999, got mandamus relief in 2022. The sad truth is that non-routine applications take the time they need , and it can be less than average (non-routine routine case, so to speak), slightly more than average, significantly more than average, or obscenely more than average...

 

[LuckyAngelSweety]

Yeah, they generally all are. And no, it doesn't necessarily take 3 years. It absolutely can be less : I've seen elsewhere some July 2023 applicants get their background completed and their oath ceremony recently, so 2 years here (crossing fingers, I'm also waiting for a July 2023 application...). It can also be much much more for "exceptional" cases : Sharafaldin applied for citizenship in 1999, got mandamus relief in 2022. The sad truth is that non-routine applications take the time they need , and it can be less than average (non-routine routine case, so to speak), slightly more than average, significantly more than average, or obscenely more than average...

Any update ?