There are many steps you must take and requirements must meet to become a Canadian citizen. But it’s common to have many questions about what happens after you apply.
Understanding Canada’s Citizenship Processing Times
After you apply for citizenship, you must wait to take the citizenship test. The time between submitting your application and writing the citizenship test can be different for everyone. Everything will depend on your personal case and the Canada visa processing times for 2024.
The good news is that Citizen and Immigration Canada seems to have reduced the processing time over the years. Their target is generally for 15 months or more from when they begin processing a complete application to when you become a Canadian citizen. Application processing times are going down which is great news for applicants. It’s also great news for us.
Some factors could make your application take longer to process. These include:
Add 3 to 4 months to account for mailing time if you
- live outside Canada and the U.S. and
- are applying through a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate
Add 6 to 8 months to processing time if you
- are applying for a minor (under 18) who lives outside Canada and the U.S. and
- sent the application directly to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia
How to Ensure Faster Canada Visa Processing Times for Applications
To speed up your application, the best practices must be followed. These include:
- a complete application
- making sure that the forms are filled out properly will give you a great head-start.
- make sure your government fees are paid and that everything is done the way it should be done.
If this is not the case, what ends up happening is that you file your application and then you will be sent a letter asking you for additional information or clarification.
That letter could cause you delays in an amount of months and sometimes years. So, regardless of their processing times, you have to play your part and make sure that your application package, when you submit it, is solid and complete.
Taking the Citizenship Oath
The IRCC will send you a notice with the date, time and location for your citizenship ceremony about 1-2 weeks before it will take place.
Do You Need Help Processing Your Immigration Applications?
Book a consultation today with an immigration professional! One of our Canada immigration professionals will determine exactly how long it will take for you to receive your Canadian visa and put you on the right track to a successful visa application.
Use the IRCC Processing Time tool to determine how long your Canada visa processing time may take.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
