So I'm leaving this post in case someone is worried about attending the ceremony without all the "required" documentation.
I took the oath today 3 Years 3 Months and 9 days after my initial application.
CIC oath lettered required: 2 forms of ID, past and present passports, PR card and letter of confirmation of permanent residence.
The only documents examined was the oath letter itself and the PR card which was taken away from me. No other IDs/Passports/letter was requested/required.
If you care to read more about my oath experience read on but I offer no additional information that pertains directly to the process of obtaining citizenship:
The oath ceremony itself took about an hour and began about 45 minutes after the advertised time to show up.
The judge was of eastern-European origin, he spoke well and at length pretty informally and candidly about what it means to be a Canadian citizen. He was humorous at times but his words touched on some serious themes.
For someone becoming a Canadian I found the speech a little inappropriate. He spoke about the need to network outside of your community. To volunteer in order to obtain "Canadian experience" apparently necessary to get a job here.
He eluded to the different ways that one could seek out and obtain employment a hot topic among the many immigrants in attendance. He also spoke about Canadian liberal values, multiculturalism, tolerance etc.
It's not that I didn't agree with what he was saying I was just a little surprised this was being said at a citizenship ceremony. I thought that it's a little late to be giving the Canada 101 course to people who are becoming citizens.
My Canadian story is, I came here as an international student 10 years ago, I met my future wife at school and hang around by obtaining PR through common-law sponsorship, although I had other avenues this was simplest. I got a job at a Canadian company and shortly thereafter started my own small business. During this time I obtained two other masters degrees which I earned part-time. I got formally married and had a child. I applied for citizenship as soon as I was able to.
By the time my oath came around I really felt like I was 100% Canadian in substance, and citizenship was really just the finally technical piece of the puzzle.
So I was somewhat surprised to be sitting in a room being told what should be the fundamental basics of residence never mind citizenship. I expected to hear something more like "You've had a long journey, we'd like to formally welcome you to the family"
Anyway I'm really happy to be a Canadian. I threw a Canadian themed party afterwards with a baby seal pinata, poutine and a ton of Canadian beer. Looking forward to a bunch of visa-free travel and hopefully many more happy years in Canada.
I took the oath today 3 Years 3 Months and 9 days after my initial application.
CIC oath lettered required: 2 forms of ID, past and present passports, PR card and letter of confirmation of permanent residence.
The only documents examined was the oath letter itself and the PR card which was taken away from me. No other IDs/Passports/letter was requested/required.
If you care to read more about my oath experience read on but I offer no additional information that pertains directly to the process of obtaining citizenship:
The oath ceremony itself took about an hour and began about 45 minutes after the advertised time to show up.
The judge was of eastern-European origin, he spoke well and at length pretty informally and candidly about what it means to be a Canadian citizen. He was humorous at times but his words touched on some serious themes.
For someone becoming a Canadian I found the speech a little inappropriate. He spoke about the need to network outside of your community. To volunteer in order to obtain "Canadian experience" apparently necessary to get a job here.
He eluded to the different ways that one could seek out and obtain employment a hot topic among the many immigrants in attendance. He also spoke about Canadian liberal values, multiculturalism, tolerance etc.
It's not that I didn't agree with what he was saying I was just a little surprised this was being said at a citizenship ceremony. I thought that it's a little late to be giving the Canada 101 course to people who are becoming citizens.
My Canadian story is, I came here as an international student 10 years ago, I met my future wife at school and hang around by obtaining PR through common-law sponsorship, although I had other avenues this was simplest. I got a job at a Canadian company and shortly thereafter started my own small business. During this time I obtained two other masters degrees which I earned part-time. I got formally married and had a child. I applied for citizenship as soon as I was able to.
By the time my oath came around I really felt like I was 100% Canadian in substance, and citizenship was really just the finally technical piece of the puzzle.
So I was somewhat surprised to be sitting in a room being told what should be the fundamental basics of residence never mind citizenship. I expected to hear something more like "You've had a long journey, we'd like to formally welcome you to the family"
Anyway I'm really happy to be a Canadian. I threw a Canadian themed party afterwards with a baby seal pinata, poutine and a ton of Canadian beer. Looking forward to a bunch of visa-free travel and hopefully many more happy years in Canada.
