September 2023 - Citizenship Applications
- Thread starter forw.jane
- Start date
Hey, need some ideas here re: ghost update!
I submitted my citizenship application in Aug 2023, and got AOR in Sep 2023.
Passed my knowledge test in Nov 2023.
Was scheduled an online interview in May 2024, and was confirmed that all other have passed except for background (comprehensive check).
Since then, I haven't heard from them. Got help from my local MP to enquire IRCC multiple times in 2024 and 2025.
In Aug 2025, I proactively submitted more documents:
1. My new passports (all pages);
2. My new PR card;
3. My travel history since 2016.
This week, just saw on tracker that:
- It's updated on Sep 18, 2025;
- All the previous timelines showed "new updates" but they are just old ones back in 2024 and 2023;
- Background still shows "in progress". Nothing has changed.
Can anyone help me understand this ghost update?
Thanks for your time!
I submitted my citizenship application in Aug 2023, and got AOR in Sep 2023.
Passed my knowledge test in Nov 2023.
Was scheduled an online interview in May 2024, and was confirmed that all other have passed except for background (comprehensive check).
Since then, I haven't heard from them. Got help from my local MP to enquire IRCC multiple times in 2024 and 2025.
In Aug 2025, I proactively submitted more documents:
1. My new passports (all pages);
2. My new PR card;
3. My travel history since 2016.
This week, just saw on tracker that:
- It's updated on Sep 18, 2025;
- All the previous timelines showed "new updates" but they are just old ones back in 2024 and 2023;
- Background still shows "in progress". Nothing has changed.
Can anyone help me understand this ghost update?
Thanks for your time!
It sounds like they 'touched' your file (opened it and possibly did minor housekeeping on it) after receiving your submission and entering info/making notes based on those - that is what seems to be behind the ghost updates.
Unless your submission clarified/resolved whatever issue it was that was holding up your application, it basically is no change.
Since most common scenario is background/security checks, probably no effect - again, unless what you submitted somehow affects those.
That said, I'm not saying it was bad to do this - there's a non-zero chance it will move things along and did help.
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I read somewhere that this could mean your criminality check expired, and the agent had to run it again. That’s why there’s no actual change — you just passed it again.
If you folks start getting 2nd fingerprint request, you might be close to clear SS and hit the end line of this SO LONG journey.