My OWN timelines are as follows:
(for both me and my wife):
-> Applied April 2013 (with 1182 physical presence days, originally came to Canada as student in 2001, graduated, been working since)
-> In Oct 2013, they sent a letter asking for marriage certificate (it was already included in the original application but we sent it again anyway)
-> Got test date for Feb 21, 2014
(both passed 20/20). But test experience was a little worrisome:
The test interviewer had our travel history on hand (CBSA). Let me explain background:
I used to live in Vancouver area, very close to the border and so I had rented a mailbox on US side of the border. I'd order stuff online, get it delivered to mailbox and pick it up. Once a month or so. So, I've a lot of entries/exits.
But these entries/exits were not even 2 hours in total. When I filed for citizenship, it says, trips < 24 hours are not to be included. So, I only listed trips (entries/exits) greater than 24 hours. About 250 days of absence in total. Rest were all day trips (lasting < 2 hours usually). I was unemployed for a period so in that period I traveled (that's why 250 days of absence, declared truthfully).
At the interview, the officer said -- you've declared 12 absences but I have your history here and it shows me a lot more absences.
- I explained that they were day trips for collecting stuff from mailbox etc.
Then she said, looks like you were also unemployed for few months.
- I said yes, and I traveled in that period as you can see in my application.
She said ok, there are lot of people here so I don't have time to go through everything right now. I will look at everything in my office and send you a letter if I need any additional documents.
- I told her, we have brought T4s, Notice of Assessments, job letter etc with us. We can show that now if you want.
She said, no, I'll send a letter if I need anything.
She did NOT even open our passport to look at stamps or anything. Just took a photocopy of all pages and said she'll look at it in her office.
Now, I am worried that I might get a post-test RQ. If that happens, I am concerned that it will probably add YEARS to my timeline. Reading different threads, it seems like when people receive RQ post-test, it takes much much much longer to process your application.
As such I have been in Canada since 2001. Went to school. Graduated. Been working since then! At heart, I have assimilated and think of myself as Canadian.
