An Important Distinction:
It is not clear what you mean by "
it" here, in reference to what can happen. There is a big difference between longer processing times for some applicants (that is inevitable and happens to every applicant whose application does not get the benefit from being done as fast as applications get done) and applications that involve substantial non-routine processing related to more complex issues resulting in lengthy delays. More regarding longer processing times below.
AND then there are those applications, a small percentage of applications, that run into more serious problems. Many of these (probably most) are applicant fault cases (ranging from errors in the application to applying too soon), and many of these are due to complications in the individual applicant's history (yeah, refugees tend to have more issues).
And then there is a very, very small percentage of applications in regards to which IRCC drops the ball or otherwise fails to properly manage. As I understand it,
@GFLiam claims to be among the latter, someone whose application IRCC is failing to properly process (which if true, to be clear, is particular to the individual application, there being no indication at all of any widespread failure in processing in
citizenship applications by IRCC).
@GFLiam should consult (paid for consultation) with a lawyer.
It is possible for IRCC to drop the ball in regards to any applicant. The odds of that, however, are remote. Leading to . . .
Possible Meteoroid Hit to the Head NOT Scary:
What is in the realm of the possible, what "
can happen," should not be scary, lest you never cross a street or dine in a public place.
Innocent people
can be charged with a crime, and it can take years to get clear, but it is
not scary that "
it can happen to any of us."
More practically . . .
In terms of risks and probabilities, the odds are low there will be any serious problem with a citizenship application for the vast majority (meaning all but a rather small if not tiny minority) of Canadians (Permanent Residents) who apply and . . .
. . . who meet all the qualifications for a grant of citizenship (including no prohibitions)
. . . whose life is well-settled and permanently established in Canada
. . . who properly and completely submit the information requested in the application
. . . who accurately and completely report travel history in the physical presence calculation, applying with a real buffer over the minimum physical presence
. . . who timely and properly respond to all notices and requests from IRCC
That said, there is some risk of non-routine processing resulting in significantly longer processing times for a minority of such applicants, a relatively small minority who have complex factors such as some complications in their immigration history, or associations potentially leading a total stranger bureaucrat to have questions or concerns that require non-routine inquiries or even investigation (ranging from security related concerns in other countries to a hit in law enforcement records even though there are no formal charges; almost all affected by this should personally know of their particular risk).
Many of the risk factors are no-brainers. The longer and more regularly established residency and work history IN Canada, the lower the risk. The fewer mistakes in the application the lower the risk (we all make mistakes; those who believe they made no mistake make the big mistake of believing they made no mistakes). Among others. No rocket science necessary.
For the vast majority of applicants, for all but a very small percentage (which however adds up to a significant number), the risk of the application getting bogged down beyond the standard range in processing times is low and
should not be scary.
Leading to . . .
What the published processing time is based on has varied quite a bit recently. IRCC appears to be fumbling in its messaging.
But overall, generally, the processing times IRCC publishes are around how long it takes to process HALF plus at least one (that is
most) of the applications submitted. Nearly half will take longer.
The thing about this, given how the process works, is that this published processing time is not much longer than the fastest processing time for citizenship applications (with some isolated exceptions).
So a large, large percentage of applications, potentially nearly half, take longer. There are many reasons. Big one is the varying work loads in local offices. Varying schedules. And since the processing time is almost entirely about how long an application sits in a queue waiting for a total stranger bureaucrat to act on it, every little extra step in the process adds a considerable amount of processing time, which is really
wait time.
So, the bureaucrat sees cause to do an extra check on an employer the applicant reports in the application, instead of directly proceeding through the process that application could go into a queue waiting for responses from inquiries and waiting still in queue beyond that for the bureaucrat to act on it. Little checks add time, and they can add up, and then so much time has passed the formal clearances must be updated so the application goes back into another queue waiting on those.
Two times the fastest processing times is probably not unusual and for the majority of applicants that does not indicate any serious problems. Letting that cause one mental agony would be, well, foolish.
Why This Matters:
For some applicants it would be prudent to lawyer-up. For most applicants, most by a big margin, the vast majority, no need to lawyer-up; mostly having some patience will do. Knowing the difference is important.
Yes, IRCC will take longer processing some applications. For some it will be up and around twice as long as the processing time for half (which is close to published processing times). Patience is better for one's mental and spiritual health than unnecessary and, frankly, useless frantic anxiety.
But as said, for some, not many at all but some, it is important to recognize there is a problem. If there is a problem the better approach is to see a lawyer, to get some good professional advice about what is happening, in their own individual case, and what can be done about it, in their own individual case. (Whether they choose to rant and whine is for them to decide, but that's not dealing with the problem. To deal with the problem SEE a LAWYER.)
