February 2016 Applications

[Cappuccino]

Guys, we sent our application few days back and it reached NS on Feb.18th. we (my husband and I) literally missed to write the photo specifications they asked to write in the back. Have you guys heard of this kind of a case? We are thinking of giving them a call tomorrow morning and ask. which number can we contact them?

We didn't write anything on the back of our photos. We actually sent them in the envelope that came from the photo developer and clearly labelled each packet with our name. In fact I have only just noticed myself that it says that on the photo specifications.

I imagine it's mainly to prevent them getting mixed up if there are multiple female or multiple male applicants on a family application.
For husband and wife if the envelopes are clearly marked I cannot imagine it being a problem.

Wayne.

 

[Cappuccino]

We didn't write anything on the back of our photos. We actually sent them in the envelope that came from the photo developer and clearly labelled each packet with our name. In fact I have only just noticed myself that it says that on the photo specifications.

I imagine it's mainly to prevent them getting mixed up if there are multiple female or multiple male applicants on a family application.
For husband and wife if the envelopes are clearly marked I cannot imagine it being a problem.

Wayne.

Actually thinking about it we had our Citizenship Photos done at CostCo and pretty sure they printed stuff on the back of them (at least the date, maybe the name as well).

If CIC really want the names on the backs of the photos and they are missing, I see there are 2 options

a) They can return the application hundreds even thousands of miles, so the applicant can write the names on the back of the photos and send them back hundreds or thousands of miles

b) They can just write the names on the backs of the photos themselves in less time than it would take to compose the email or letter to ask the applicant to do it.

One would hope common sense would prevail under such circumstances and they'd go for option b)

 

[Cappuccino]

So I just checked and we are IN PROCESS

Note that there is a couple of days' delay updating ECAS. It says "We started processing your application on February 21, 2016." and yet ECAS only updated late last night, or this morning.

 

[Reom27]

So I just checked and we are IN PROCESS

Note that there is a couple of days' delay updating ECAS. It says "We started processing your application on February 21, 2016." and yet ECAS only updated late last night, or this morning.

Good news Cappuccino .. Congrats

Do they work during the weekends? I am just wondering since Feb 21 was a Sunday!!

 

[Cappuccino]

Good news Cappuccino .. Congrats

Do they work during the weekends? I am just wondering since Feb 21 was a Sunday!!

I guess they must. I have heard of people receiving AORs on a Saturday and Sunday as well.

 

[kks1234]

Hi there.

I posted a citizen application for my daughter on 10 Feb. We have not heard anything at all yet and when I check on Ecas there is nothing about her having a citizen application. All that is shows is her address. Did anyone else have anything show on Ecas before they got AOR? I believe our local office would be Vancouver.

Glad to here things are progressing quickly for everyone else. Any help greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

kks

 

[helenaD]

CIC are currently quoting an AVERAGE time of 5 months from received date to oath ceremony. It may be faster than that in many cases. You may wish to keep checking the following spreadsheet where people are sharing their timeline information :-

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HO2bMpPOII6R0N7q3oULrAgA27LJYaz3l9fMWcGaOms/edit?pref=2&pli=1#gid=0

One applicant got an oath ceremony only 3.5 months after application received. Another got a test date only 2 months after application received.
As you can see from the spreadsheet, recently people are going "In Process" only 11 to 20 ish days after application received.

Wow - I just saw one applicant has an application received date of 8th January and has a test date of 25th February! That's really moving fast!

The removal of a Citizenship Judge from the process has really sped up processing times. I believe CIC predict that by March (next month) there will be ZERO backlog at all local CIC offices.

I think after that happens we'll see the average application received to oath ceremony to be around 3 to 4 months.
Wayne

Unfortunately, got our package back today. Letter stated that one of the applications was missing a 'birth certificate' - very frustrating, as I had everything treble-checked and it was definitely in the original package. I have re-mailed the whole package again, including another copy of the birth certificate, and a document checklist, which was also included in the original. I guess I will be a March 2016 application now - the letter was dated Feb 18th, and they got my package on feb 12th, so at least it shows they are going through initial checks quickly. Hoping for AOR within next 2 weeks.

 

[Dave01]

Hi guys:

Quick one please, do you submit original of Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688) of photocopy with citizenship application

Thanks,

 

[Reom27]

Hi guys:

Quick one please, do you submit original of Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688) of photocopy with citizenship application

Thanks,

Hi Dave,

It is stated that the required Format of IMM5292 or IMM5688 is a "Clear and legible photocopy".

Please check it out under:

"Step 1. Gather documents
1. Immigration documents"

However, they might ask you to show them the original document later on the test date.

All the best ...

 

[JigJig]

Hello,

Congratulations to all who had their AORs!

Our application got returned - missing the bio page (wife and mine). The package included the kid's application (stapled together and marked as complete). Sent it back on Feb 16 and yesterday (2/29) I received 4 emails with different UCI's, Im not sure which UCI is for who so I tried all combinations -no luck. I don't think its activated yet.

Cheers..

 

[Cappuccino]

Hello,

Congratulations to all who had their AORs!

Our application got returned - missing the bio page (wife and mine). The package included the kid's application (stapled together and marked as complete). Sent it back on Feb 16 and yesterday (2/29) I received 4 emails with different UCI's, Im not sure which UCI is for who so I tried all combinations -no luck. I don't think its activated yet.

Cheers..

It usually takes around 2 days for ECAS to be available from the UCI or application number after the AOR has been received.

 

[Cappuccino]

Hi Dave,

It is stated that the required Format of IMM5292 or IMM5688 is a "Clear and legible photocopy".

Please check it out under:

"Step 1. Gather documents
1. Immigration documents"

However, they might ask you to show them the original document later on the test date.

All the best ...

Basically all supporting documents should be photocopies.

I was advised to bring all original supporting documents to the Citizenship Test should the officer wish to see them.

Wayne.

 

[Cappuccino]

Unfortunately, got our package back today. Letter stated that one of the applications was missing a 'birth certificate' - very frustrating, as I had everything treble-checked and it was definitely in the original package. I have re-mailed the whole package again, including another copy of the birth certificate, and a document checklist, which was also included in the original. I guess I will be a March 2016 application now - the letter was dated Feb 18th, and they got my package on feb 12th, so at least it shows they are going through initial checks quickly. Hoping for AOR within next 2 weeks.

Sorry to hear that.

Are you using the same payment receipt - or was it necessary to make a new payment and try to claim a refund on the old one?

Also can I please ask, how long from AOR was it before you received your application back?

 

[Cappuccino]

Quick question - has anyone seen the "We transferred your file to XXX visa office for further processing" line on their ECAS status yet?

Just wondering if they still put that line in after they sent your application to the local visa office.

 

[Reom27]

Basically all supporting documents should be photocopies.

I was advised to bring all original supporting documents to the Citizenship Test should the officer wish to see them.

Wayne.

Basically all supporting documents should be photocopies.

I was advised to bring all original supporting documents to the Citizenship Test should the officer wish to see them.

Wayne.

Hi Wayne,

I am not sure if we should do that with all supporting documents!!

This is because in the Instruction Guide under the "Reminders..." section (i.e., located just after Step 4. Mail the application), it is stated that "You have included original translation and an affidavit by the translator for any documents that are not in English or French" in order to avoid application being returned.

It is a bit confusing :'( :'( :'( cause in section "6. Additional documents (as required)" under "Step 1. Gathering documents" of the Instruction Guide, it is stated that the required format for "translations of documents that are not in English or French" is "Clear and legible photocopy".

More confusing you will get once you read what is written under "Translation of documents" section where they stated the following:

Translation of documents

Any document that is not in English or French must be accompanied by:
the English or French translation; and
an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and
a certified copy of the original document.


Therefore, I was thinking it would be a good idea to send the original of those supporting document (original translation) with the application. Or, at least a certified copy of original pages!!