In part this is a bump.
This is a request that those who took the test online while outside Canada post updates about their case here.
Discussions about online tests, online oath, impact of being outside Canada generally, for the test, after the test, and so on, are scattered throughout multiple threads.
For anyone who is watching for news that will illuminate more about the impact of being outside Canada after applying, which is represented most by applicants who have taken the test online while outside Canada, reports about progress or the lack of progress in their cases is key information.
In some of the discussions it is recognized that the fact the applicant is outside Canada at the time of the online test is specifically noted in the citizenship application file (in GCMS). In a few discussions such applicants are reporting communications with IRCC that clearly indicate IRCC is tracking the location of such applicants, and specifically requesting some applicants to update their information with IRCC regarding their return to Canada.
The evidence is building that at the least IRCC is specially designating applicants who are abroad. It is still uncertain what impact this has. But no genius necessary to infer this has some impact.
Some hint that further processing is suspended or on "hold" until the applicant is known to be back in Canada. But this is not for sure. Moreover, the procedural provisions of the Citizenship Act provide for a "hold" on processing only in specific circumstances, and the fact the applicant is abroad is not among those circumstances. If IRCC is in effect imposing a
de facto hold, seems likely that sooner than later this would become the subject of litigation.
BUT IN THE MEANTIME . . . for applicants abroad and those considering whether to go abroad, it would be very helpful to have more information about the impact of being abroad. It is noted in the file. One can easily guess information is noted in the file for a reason. Would be helpful to get some clues as to what that reason is or at least some indication of how this affects processing.
So, again, hopefully those who have taken the test outside Canada will give the forum periodic updates about the status of their applications . . . and in particular, let the forum know if and when they are scheduled to take the oath.
BACKGROUND NOTE:
To what extent residing or working abroad after applying can have a negative impact on how things go tends to be a controversial subject in this forum. Historically going abroad (to live or work) has elevated procedural risks (like the risk of RQ-related non-routine processing) considerably. Suggestions this continues to be the case often trigger adamant denials and sometimes hostile attacks, especially if the rather obvious perceptions about such applicants are articulated to explain in part why the risks are elevated. Part of the difficulty in fairly assessing how being abroad affects processing has been the extent to which many who go abroad after applying avoid disclosing the fact they are residing abroad. So, among the many who appear to smoothly sail through the process despite being abroad, it is not clear to what extent IRCC has been aware the applicant had relocated abroad. In the meantime, there has been a fairly large constituency of forum participants assuring others that living abroad after applying does not appreciably increase procedural risks. In response to which I have occasionally cautioned the likelihood it is otherwise.
Now, however, there is a significant pool of applicants who relocated abroad after applying and who are known to IRCC as having relocated abroad. This is most represented by those who proceeded to take the online test while they are located abroad. If a sufficient number of applicants in this situation keep the forum updated, we should be able to track if there is a significant impact on how things go for them compared to other applicants still in Canada (or appearing to still be in Canada) who took the online test.
Key uses for such information:
-- helping applicants who are abroad decide whether or when to return to Canada, or if it will be prudent to obtain legal representation to push IRCC to advance their application
-- helping applicants and prospective applicants who are considering relocating abroad weigh factors and priorities in making the decision about whether to go abroad or when
So, again, hopefully those who have taken the test outside Canada will give the forum periodic updates, in this thread, about the status of their applications . . . and in particular, let the forum know if and when they are scheduled to take the oath.