August 2020 - Citizenship application

[rafzy]

So I read that there are three checks, eligibility, security and criminal. I think Eligibility is done by nova Scotia office before the file is transferred to local office. If you are done with all checks then you should expect the test invite soon, depending on your local office.

As per my discussion, I was told that only Security and Criminality checks are done in the Sydney office and eligibility checks are done in local office.
If eligibility checks are also done at local office, then my file should be ready for test.

I have already sent a request for GCMS notes for my file ... lets see what my notes actually confirm about status of my file.

 

[vvarma]

Earlier today I called up IRCC to get an update on my application. I was informed that all the checks were completed and they have skipped FP in my case. My file is now ready for the Test. The agent provided an estimate of "towards the end of this year" for the test, although he did not confirm it.

 

[royce110]

Just got off the phone with IRCC, agent said background and criminality checks are still in process at central office however no additional info. is being requested at this stage, if they need anything they will contact directly.

I am confused because the first agent I spoke with in Jan said that the checks are completed and the file is being transferred to the local office..

Looks like they don’t have detailed info. or are not able to decipher the actual status’ of processes from their system. I will take whatever the call centre agents say with a grain of salt henceforth.

The only thing closest to finding the actual status would be ordering GCMS notes.

 

[Anjushka]

Earlier today I called up IRCC to get an update on my application. I was informed that all the checks were completed and they have skipped FP in my case. My file is now ready for the Test. The agent provided an estimate of "towards the end of this year" for the test, although he did not confirm it.

Hi,
I read your post last night. As you say the agent told you that your file is ready for the test, but the estimated time for the test would probably be the end of this year. What does this mean? How come the file is ready for the test, and you are not expecting a test invite any time soon? Sorry, I don't get it . Could you please explain? And, by the way, your timeline on every stage is very similar to mine:}
Best of luck to you:}

 

[vvarma]

Hi,
I read your post last night. As you say the agent told you that your file is ready for the test, but the estimated time for the test would probably be the end of this year. What does this mean? How come the file is ready for the test, and you are not expecting a test invite any time soon? Sorry, I don't get it . Could you please explain? And, by the way, your timeline on every stage is very similar to mine:}
Best of luck to you:}

Hello,
He did give a reason for this long gap - which most of us already know: That the tests were halted for most part of 2020 creating a massive backlog. And even currently they are no where near to the volume of tests compared to pre-pandemic levels. He also mentioned that the ones who are getting test dates are from 2019. I guess there is no backlog for processing the file itself, since CIC employees can work from home.
I was tempted to argue that that is a false statement lol and that few Nov/Dec 2020 online applicants (non-urgent) have already done with their tests way ahead of 2019 lol. But then, the agent was just doing his job to say as per the script

 

[rafzy]

Just got off the phone with IRCC, agent said background and criminality checks are still in process at central office however no additional info. is being requested at this stage, if they need anything they will contact directly.

I am confused because the first agent I spoke with in Jan said that the checks are completed and the file is being transferred to the local office..

Looks like they don’t have detailed info. or are not able to decipher the actual status’ of processes from their system. I will take whatever the call centre agents say with a grain of salt henceforth.

The only thing closest to finding the actual status would be ordering GCMS notes.

GCMS notes seem to be a way forward.

What you can also do is to call them and ask them about the dates when each of these checks was completed and passed as agents can see this in your file.

 

[starzibal]

Hi ,
Want to be part of this group. This is for my in-laws citizenship. Following is the detail of it. Please update the spreadsheet for me.

2 Person and from Toronto

Application received: Sept. 9,2020
AOR by email: Dec. 3, 2020
Started processing: Feb. 8, 2021

Question: The AOR letter mentioned that 18-54. need to write a test and gave the guide link, however my in-laws are over 55. Why did they mentioned this in their AOR? I know these are generic letters but I thought they should know this as they addressed the letter by the name.
There are 3 lines in ECAS below:

1. We received your application for Canadian citizenship (grant of citizenship) on September 9, 2020.
2. We sent you correspondence acknowledging receipt of your application(s), and a study book called Discover Canada on December 3, 2020.
3. We started processing your application on February 8, 2021.

Also, why the cic website shows that they are finalizing most applications they received between March 17 and 23, 2019.

If that is the case then, people are on this group who applied in Aug. 2020, their applications will be finalized end of this year.

What do you think?

Thanks

 

[royce110]

Hi ,
Want to be part of this group. This is for my in-laws citizenship. Following is the detail of it. Please update the spreadsheet for me.

2 Person and from Toronto

Application received: Sept. 9,2020
AOR by email: Dec. 3, 2020
Started processing: Feb. 8, 2021

Question: The AOR letter mentioned that 18-54. need to write a test and gave the guide link, however my in-laws are over 55. Why did they mentioned this in their AOR? I know these are generic letters but I thought they should know this as they addressed the letter by the name.
There are 3 lines in ECAS below:
- I believe that is generic like you mentioned, when the application reaches the local office after checks the knowledge requirement will be waived for seniors.

1. We received your application for Canadian citizenship (grant of citizenship) on September 9, 2020.
2. We sent you correspondence acknowledging receipt of your application(s), and a study book called Discover Canada on December 3, 2020.
3. We started processing your application on February 8, 2021.

Also, why the cic website shows that they are finalizing most applications they received between March 17 and 23, 2019.

If that is the case then, people are on this group who applied in Aug. 2020, their applications will be finalized end of this year.
- Most likely yes, that is what the current time line looks like as of now.
It also greatly depends on the workload of your local visa office. Centres like Scarborough and Brampton have sole of the highest volume of applications in Ontario and their processing times were relatively slower even pre-pandemic. Hopefully it comes sooner. Fingers Crossed.


What do you think?

Thanks

 

[starzibal]

Thanks royce,
in this case, their local office is Durham region i.e. Oshawa. i am not sure if Oshawa has higher workload or not.

 

[royce110]

Thanks royce,
in this case, their local office is Durham region i.e. Oshawa. i am not sure if Oshawa has higher workload or not.

Most likely they will be processed in the Scarborough or Brampton/Mississauga Office. Both these centres often share workload.

 

[SinghfromTexas]

Earlier today I called up IRCC to get an update on my application. I was informed that all the checks were completed and they have skipped FP in my case. My file is now ready for the Test. The agent provided an estimate of "towards the end of this year" for the test, although he did not confirm it.

Hey ,
I got the same answer by agent . But he said he can not tell anything about test date . Its a pilot project and totally on officer’s descretion .

 

[BadGamer6]

Most likely they will be processed in the Scarborough or Brampton/Mississauga Office. Both these centres often share workload.

I think east GTA applications are all being handled at Scarborough. Mississauga is mostly for Peel and some Toronto ones.

 

[Caroline1234]

Does anyone knows what does background check entails does that mean I am close to end of this waiting to take the test I called cic and they said that they are currently still completing back ground checks

 

[starzibal]

Does anyone knows what does background check entails does that mean I am close to end of this waiting to take the test I called cic and they said that they are currently still completing back ground checks

Yes, most likely you are close and should receive something.

 

[rafzy]

Does anyone knows what does background check entails does that mean I am close to end of this waiting to take the test I called cic and they said that they are currently still completing back ground checks

Back ground checks include Criminality checks and Security screening.