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Do I need passport stamps translation for the citizenship test?

moe1360

Star Member
Sep 28, 2015
167
5
Hello everyone,
I have my tests in few days and I realized that I have few stamps in my passport that are not in English or French and also not in Latin alphabet. The test invite letter does not mention that they need translation and that is why I never thought about that until today. This is a copy of what they require in the test invite letter:
When you come to this appointment, you must bring with you:
 this notice;
 2 pieces of personal identification, one of which has your photograph and signature on it;
(e.g. driver's license, health card, etc.)
 all your original documents that support your citizenship application (as listed in the document
checklist in the citizenship application form);
 Permanent Resident Card (if you have ever received one);
 all original passports and travel documents in your possession (current and expired).

does anyone have any suggestion or test experience in similar situation that would like to share? Much appreciated!!
 

NiManta

Full Member
Feb 25, 2019
46
26
Hello everyone,
I have my tests in few days and I realized that I have few stamps in my passport that are not in English or French and also not in Latin alphabet. The test invite letter does not mention that they need translation and that is why I never thought about that until today. This is a copy of what they require in the test invite letter:
When you come to this appointment, you must bring with you:
 this notice;
 2 pieces of personal identification, one of which has your photograph and signature on it;
(e.g. driver's license, health card, etc.)
 all your original documents that support your citizenship application (as listed in the document
checklist in the citizenship application form);
 Permanent Resident Card (if you have ever received one);
 all original passports and travel documents in your possession (current and expired).

does anyone have any suggestion or test experience in similar situation that would like to share? Much appreciated!!
Hello Moe1360,
Yes, the officer will most likely ask for the stamps translation. In my case, during the interview, the officer asked for it and since I already had the translation with me, I provided it right away. If you do not have it with you during the interview, you will be instructed to get it done and mail it to them.
 

Kohl

Star Member
Jul 3, 2015
63
16
Woah. I was reading around for fun and realized I’ll need a passport visa and stamp translated for an overnight layover I had in Egypt. It is outside my application period but this is not readily apparent. I live in the Territories and can’t find a translator here.

A google search of translation companies seems to require that you see them the original document. There is no way I am sending my Passport but I could send a certified photocopy. Surely there is a translator that would translate a certified photocopy?

I’m also having trouble finding a company that’s a certified translator in my territory. Is that necessary? Or would being a certified translator in any province suffice?
 

NiManta

Full Member
Feb 25, 2019
46
26
Woah. I was reading around for fun and realized I’ll need a passport visa and stamp translated for an overnight layover I had in Egypt. It is outside my application period but this is not readily apparent. I live in the Territories and can’t find a translator here.

A google search of translation companies seems to require that you see them the original document. There is no way I am sending my Passport but I could send a certified photocopy. Surely there is a translator that would translate a certified photocopy?

I’m also having trouble finding a company that’s a certified translator in my territory. Is that necessary? Or would being a certified translator in any province suffice?
If you are having a hard time finding a certified translator in your region, you can ask an ordinary person who knows both languages and is not a relative of yours to do it for you. According to the Citizenship application guide, translations can be done by anyone who is fluent in both languages (in your case, English and Arabic) as long as that person swears an affidavit in the presence of a person authorized to administer oaths. You will also need to attach a certified copy of the original document. All you need is to find a notary public and someone who knows Arabic and is willing to swear it.
You can find more info HERE. Just scroll down to the Translation of documents.
 

Han

Hero Member
Feb 24, 2014
777
124
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
2133
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
08-01-2016
AOR Received.
08-01-2016
Passport Req..
20-06-2016
VISA ISSUED...
28-06-2016
LANDED..........
29-06-2016 :)
Woah. I was reading around for fun and realized I’ll need a passport visa and stamp translated for an overnight layover I had in Egypt. It is outside my application period but this is not readily apparent. I live in the Territories and can’t find a translator here.

A google search of translation companies seems to require that you see them the original document. There is no way I am sending my Passport but I could send a certified photocopy. Surely there is a translator that would translate a certified photocopy?

I’m also having trouble finding a company that’s a certified translator in my territory. Is that necessary? Or would being a certified translator in any province suffice?
I emailed docsbase.ca pictures of stamps. They translated the stamps and emailed me electronic copy and mailed the hard copy free of charge as well. You can print the electronic copy and show it to the officer. It is acceptable. Good luck.
 
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Mjaber

Full Member
Apr 25, 2014
45
2
I emailed docsbase.ca pictures of stamps. They translated the stamps and emailed me electronic copy and mailed the hard copy free of charge as well. You can print the electronic copy and show it to the officer. It is acceptable. Good luck.
Thanks Han
May I ask you how much do they charge you?
 

issteven

Hero Member
Jan 2, 2014
673
201
many countries don't stamp passports anymore: using e-gate or stamping on small piece of paper. How do we prove this to interviewer??
 

Kohl

Star Member
Jul 3, 2015
63
16
I emailed docsbase.ca pictures of stamps. They translated the stamps and emailed me electronic copy and mailed the hard copy free of charge as well. You can print the electronic copy and show it to the officer. It is acceptable. Good luck.

I found a translator I’m comfortable who is certified in Ontario. I’m going to go ahead and use his services. In typical overkill fashion, I’ve found a local who speaks Arabic and I’ll also do the certified copy and have him swear the translation is correct to the local notary public.

Now just deciding if I want to wait for the AOR to go forward with this. Or wait till I receive AOR :). I heard in the territories, once you get AOR things can go very Quick and I’m pretty confident I’ll receive AOR so I may just go ahead now.

Thanks to all in the thread for advice!
 

Han

Hero Member
Feb 24, 2014
777
124
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
2133
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
08-01-2016
AOR Received.
08-01-2016
Passport Req..
20-06-2016
VISA ISSUED...
28-06-2016
LANDED..........
29-06-2016 :)
Thanks Han
May I ask you how much do they charge you?
36 dollars for 9 stamps. It was certified and came with affidavit.