March 2025 - Citizenship Applications

[armoured]

We raised a webform a couple of weeks ago asking IRCC whether the original police clearance certificates that we provided and the updated ones we mailed later on were received and satisfied the additional docs request we had on aor. Took ircc exactly 14 mins to reply to the webform indicating all is good. It wasn’t an auto reply although it was rather generic in nature. Now, whether the agent provided accurate information or even bothered checking is a different story, but yes we got the response in minutes.

Literally never heard of anyone receiving a substantive reply to a webform in less than a week. So I'd still recommend calling.

Good to know it happens, but I'm not holding my breath to see it generalized.

 

[m34]

Literally never heard of anyone receiving a substantive reply to a webform in less than a week. So I'd still recommend calling.

Good to know it happens, but I'm not holding my breath to see it generalized.

Can reconfirm it happened. Not that I was too happy we got this quick reply as I would have rather have someone take time and have a real dig at our file and maybe (as a big bonus) trigger some movement (wink wink). That didn’t happen.

 

[armoured]

Can reconfirm it happened. Not that I was too happy we got this quick reply as I would have rather have someone take time and have a real dig at our file and maybe (as a big bonus) trigger some movement (wink wink). That didn’t happen.

I didn't mean to imply it didn't happen - just that it seems quite exceptional.

 

[airforce1907]

I didn't mean to imply it didn't happen - just that it seems quite exceptional.

I received response to my web form in 15 minutes too.

 

[armoured]

I received response to my web form in 15 minutes too.

This worries me. Clearly a sign of the apocalypse. What's next, locusts?

 

[Dream-mer]

I had my oath ceremony virtual on November 18th, and I haven’t received my certificate til now. I sent the signed oath form right after the ceremony. What can I do? I raised a webform with the signed oath form and I re-sent my email, and follow up emails, and I still never got it. What can I do?

Hi,

Go to this link (https://ircc.canada.ca/visit-visiter/en/get-account-ircc-portal) get the invite code and then sign up using the first link

 

[mint-l]

How to request GCMS notes? I am not sure if I have done something wrong, but I made a request 6 weeks ago and did not get any response

 

[armoured]

How to request GCMS notes? I am not sure if I have done something wrong, but I made a request 6 weeks ago and did not get any response

Did you get an acknowledgement of some kind when you made the request?

 

[mint-l]

Did you get an acknowledgement of some kind when you made the request?

yes: You have successfully submitted your request under the Privacy Act to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

 

[armoured]

yes: You have successfully submitted your request under the Privacy Act to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Okay, that's good. Then you didn't do anything wrong. So, you can and should complain, see here:
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=464&top=1

They are supposed to inform you they can't do it within 30 days - and then they have an extra 30 days, in most cases. But by all means complain.

I'd also suggest applying for gcms records (same formulation basically) to CBSA. CBSA seems more on top of these things and does them on time, and also sometimes includes a tiny bit more info.

 

[Xiad32]

I'm starting to feel frustrated. Its been 10 months since I applied. I had my test, and reflected on my tracker, and request for firgerprint which I submitted but didnt reflect on my tracker. Last update was a ghost update from August 13th! It looks like they dropped the ball on Feb applications. Looking at our tracker sheet at background checks completion for every month: 87% 69% 85% 69% 65% 75% 73%
Is it slow for everybody?
The new processing time says I should be done in 3 month. But it also shows that there are 68K ahead of me and they only completed 10K last month. No way 3 months makes any sense!

 

[m34]

I'm starting to feel frustrated. Its been 10 months since I applied. I had my test, and reflected on my tracker, and request for firgerprint which I submitted but didnt reflect on my tracker. Last update was a ghost update from August 13th! It looks like they dropped the ball on Feb applications. Looking at our tracker sheet at background checks completion for every month: 87% 69% 85% 69% 65% 75% 73%
Is it slow for everybody?
The new processing time says I should be done in 3 month. But it also shows that there are 68K ahead of me and they only completed 10K last month. No way 3 months makes any sense!

Similar boat here. The 68k ahead of you is indicative and not necessarily they have to be completed before your turn comes. There are actually people who applied after us in July that got their oath scheduled already. Call IRCC now and they would tell you are still within processing time or call them after the 13 months mark (or even a possible longer new average processing time) and they would tell your file needs more time.

 

[Xiad32]

Similar boat here. The 68k ahead of you is indicative and not necessarily they have to be completed before your turn comes. There are actually people who applied after us in July that got their oath scheduled already. Call IRCC now and they would tell you are still within processing time or call them after the 13 months mark (or even a possible longer new average processing time) and they would tell your file needs more time.

My understanding is that the processing time that applies to us is the one that was posted when one applies (confirmed by an immigration lawyer). In February, processing time was 8 months. We are beyond that now!

 

[m34]

My understanding is that the processing time that applies to us is the one that was posted when one applies (confirmed by an immigration lawyer). In February, processing time was 8 months. We are beyond that now!

What you’re saying makes perfect sense but try having that conversation with IRCC and let us know what they tell you . I had a very similar discussion with an agent not long time ago, and the agent insisted that the posted average processing time applies to all applications, both new and outstanding. So when the average increases (and it likely will), the tool will simply update to show that your application now requires even more time!

Someone on fb also made an interesting comment that I read the other day, suggesting that IRCC might be intentionally slowing down applications to keep people physically in Canada longer. Technically, you can leave after applying, but do you really want to do that when there is a chance you are asked for fp, interview and an oath?? The longer applications remain pending, the more likely applicants are to stay put. It’s not suprising as some recent news (citing statcan) highlighted that many new immigrants obtain citizenship and depart immediately afterwards.

 

[Hwallikniw]

My understanding is that the processing time that applies to us is the one that was posted when one applies (confirmed by an immigration lawyer). In February, processing time was 8 months. We are beyond that now!

I met someone through friends this weekend that has applied early March and got FP request in June. She's still waiting for her BG and PH. I started to think our batch is sitting somewhere collecting dust. How is it that all of us haven't heard back yet? There was a batch clearance in Aug 28 and another one Nov 10.