Updates on the Affects COVID-19 is having on Citizenship Applications

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have provided instructions on the affects COVID-19 is having on Canadian immigration matters. Applications already submitted will continue to be processed however may experience processing delays. In general, Reviewing Officers should be providing applicants with additional time to submit additional documents required for the processing of their application, including police certificates, biometrics and medical examinations. In addition, IRCC has provided further guidance regarding temporary residence, permanent residence and citizenship matters. Please read below for the instructions provided for applicants who have already submitted their citizenship application and for future physical presence requirements.

If applicants have missed their citizenship test, retest, interview, hearing or oath ceremony, they must notify IRCC once they have returned to Canada. Officers have been directed to reschedule appointments to accommodate those who were unable to attend one or more of these appointments. If additional documents are required for the processing of a citizenship application, Officer’s should be providing applicants with 30 days to submit those documents, and 45 days to submit their medical opinion form, once the applicant has notified IRCC that they have returned from China, South Korea or Iran. As of now, until further notice, IRCC has cancelled all citizenship ceremonies and test.

Its important to note, that extra days spent outside of Canada due to the virus, including in China, South Korea or Iran, will not be counted as days in Canada. As such, all applicants will have to continue to meet the physical presence requirements required to obtain Canadian Citizenship.

For further information on Canadian Citizenship, information on how the above affects you or any Canadian immigration matters, please contact pinaz@prmlaw.ca.