Application for Canadian Citizenship - A Comprehensive Guide

[MaplePath2026]

She just needs to comply with tax requirements for 3 years. If she had no income and as such didn't need to file tax, she can put "no" for both need to file and filed for a given year and it will still count.

Thank you.

I have another query regarding the PCC requirement. Does she need to submit a PCC from India if she moved to Canada before turning 18 years old?

My second question is regarding adult applicants. Can an adult submit the Citizenship application without the PCC initially and provide it later during the processing stage? Currently, the PCC processing time from India is approximately 10 weeks. Instead of waiting for the PCC, would it be possible to proceed with the citizenship application now and submit the PCC later when available?

 

[bbayaka]

this is a very common problem. CBSA entries alone are not enough to prove the legal status. Clearly, IRCC could not verify your status. You have 2 options: 1. Reapply once you have enough days on PR alone 2. Send it again with the same info. If accepted, in all likelihood, your file will become non-routine.

I am not a lawyer and information I am sharing is based on information available publicly.

Thank you for your reply. I have decided to withdraw and apply again in the fall. When i do that, on physical presence I still need to enter the days before PR even though i have more than 1095 days after the PR, right?

 

[Seym]

Thank you for your reply. I have decided to withdraw and apply again in the fall. When i do that, on physical presence I still need to enter the days before PR even though i have more than 1095 days after the PR, right?

Every single day of physical presence needs to be entered, so yes.

 

[bond7890]

Thank you for your reply. I have decided to withdraw and apply again in the fall. When i do that, on physical presence I still need to enter the days before PR even though i have more than 1095 days after the PR, right?

That is correct. Everything has to be entered. Just that ircc will not use it to count towards your physical presence and will use only pr days for that purpose.

 

[MaplePath2026]

I have a question regarding the address history section in the Citizenship application.

For example, if I lived at one address from May 5, 2022 to June 15, 2023, should the next address start from June 15, 2023 or June 16, 2023?

I noticed that some YouTube videos explain it differently, so I would like to know which one is correct.

 

[armoured]

I have a question regarding the address history section in the Citizenship application.

For example, if I lived at one address from May 5, 2022 to June 15, 2023, should the next address start from June 15, 2023 or June 16, 2023?

I noticed that some YouTube videos explain it differently, so I would like to know which one is correct.

I do not think anyone cares remotely enough about one day difference in this context, as long as they are addresses within the same country. One could argue either approach, I would simply choose one of those and stick to that.

 

[bond7890]

I have a question regarding the address history section in the Citizenship application.

For example, if I lived at one address from May 5, 2022 to June 15, 2023, should the next address start from June 15, 2023 or June 16, 2023?

I noticed that some YouTube videos explain it differently, so I would like to know which one is correct.

Overlaps are fine, but no gaps. What’s important is that the dates you enter match the dates you’ve used in any previous visa or PR applications. Consistency is key — if you previously used overlapping dates, use the same pattern here.

 

[MaplePath2026]

I have applied for the PCC, but it may take more than two months to arrive. Can I submit my citizenship application without the PCC and provide it later through a webform? Is it mandatory to submit the PCC at the time of application submission?

 

[armoured]

I have applied for the PCC, but it may take more than two months to arrive. Can I submit my citizenship application without the PCC and provide it later through a webform? Is it mandatory to submit the PCC at the time of application submission?

If it is required for your specific circumstances, you should not submit it without.

 

[blueshark]

Hi all,

I am currently preparing my application from outside Canada. While completing the Physical Presence Calculator, I noted that the 'Absences from Canada' section requires a return date. Given that I am still abroad and have not yet returned, could you please advise on what date should be entered in the 'Date you returned to Canada' field?

 

[Seym]

@blueshark if the application doesn't allow you to keep that return date blank, and I believe it doesn't, put today's date, and add an explanation letter saying that you did so to be able to complete filing the application but are still outside the country and don't claim that final day of physical presence.

 

[blueshark]

@Seym Thank you.

 

[Syrian36]

Hi Guys,
I heard from more than one person that the time you submit your online application during the day can greatly affect which office will process it. They say that if you submit the application after 6 PM Toronto time, your file will be processed in Vancouver, since it would still be only 3 PM there.

Does anyone have any confirmation, denial, or any information about this?

 

[bond7890]

Hi Guys,
I heard from more than one person that the time you submit your online application during the day can greatly affect which office will process it. They say that if you submit the application after 6 PM Toronto time, your file will be processed in Vancouver, since it would still be only 3 PM there.

Does anyone have any confirmation, denial, or any information about this?

I’m guessing you might be worried that Vancouver is slow, and that’s why this whole “submit after 6 PM” theory sounds concerning. If that’s the case, let me clear it up using my own GCMS‑confirmed example, not random forum guesses.

Based on what you said, LOL no, that’s not how it works. All online applications go straight to CPC Sydney in Nova Scotia. That’s the intake centre for everyone, and they’re the ones who do the completeness check and the initial background checks. That’s also when your processing office is assigned - not based on the time you hit “submit,” and not based on your time zone.

Your location doesn’t matter either. Sydney sends files around the country depending on workload, risk profile, and how clean the file looks in GCMS. From what I’ve seen on forums (and from my own GCMS notes), Vancouver tends to get the really clean, low‑risk files, and they move fast. I’m in downtown Toronto, but my primary office was Vancouver. My file was picked up on Feb 21 and my LPP was done by March 18 - about 25 days start to finish.

On the other hand, some people living in Vancouver think their file is “slow Vancouver,” when in reality their application might be sitting with Niagara or Mississauga or Scarborough. That’s why the whole “Vancouver is slow” thing is misleading - a lot of those files aren’t even in Vancouver.

The only stage where your file is guaranteed to be handled by your local office is the oath. Local offices can process files end‑to‑end, but oath is the one part that always gets routed locally.

Hope this was helpful!!

 

[armoured]

From what I’ve seen on forums (and from my own GCMS notes), Vancouver tends to get the really clean, low‑risk files, and they move fast. I’m in downtown Toronto, but my primary office was Vancouver. My file was picked up on Feb 21 and my LPP was done by March 18 - about 25 days start to finish.

On the other hand, some people living in Vancouver think their file is “slow Vancouver,” when in reality their application might be sitting with Niagara or Mississauga or Scarborough. That’s why the whole “Vancouver is slow” thing is misleading - a lot of those files aren’t even in Vancouver.

My own belief on this (granted, only a theory, but based on watching a lot of reports here) is that Vancouver is used for the security part of the processing, and hence whether one thinks Vancouver is slow or fast (or indeed if they even notice Vancouver at all, since many don't order gcms notes/call and ask for info, so they wouldn't know - and those least likely to check this by timing are those for whom this stage goes quickly).

Or in other words: Vancouver's not the 'issue.' The issue is whether or not your security/background/prohibitions go quickly or not.