Apply for citizenship: After you apply

Processing your application

Find out how COVID-19 affects the processing of your citizenship application.

Processing time ^?

12 months

Due to COVID-19

we can’t provide accurate processing times
- The 12-month processing time is how long it usually took us to process a complete application before COVID-19.
we have limited capacity to process applications
it’s taking us longer to send out acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letters or emails
- You’ll get an AOR after we receive your application and check that it’s complete.

When we receive your application for citizenship, we review your application to make sure you

answered all the questions on the form
sent all the required documents
paid the fees

If your application is complete

We start processing it and send you an acknowledgement of receipt letter.

Your unique client identifier (UCI) is in the acknowledgement of receipt letter.

If your application is incomplete

We return it to you with a letter that explains why your application is incomplete and what the next steps are.

The letter will tell you

which forms, documents or fees are missing
if you have to
- fill out a new application form
  - if so, use the newest version of the form
  - sign and date the form
- recalculate your physical presence/time you’ve lived in Canada (opens in a new tab)
  - if so, include the new calculator printout when you resubmit the application
- submit a new fee receipt
  - if the letter doesn’t ask for a new receipt, include the same receipt that you used with your first form, when you resubmit the application
- resubmit any documents

Check the Document Checklist included in the application package. Once you get the information we ask for in the letter, resubmit your complete application.

Find out what to do if you can’t submit requested documents due to COVID-19.

Check your junk folder for our emails

If you gave us your email address in your application, we’ll contact you by email.
To avoid missing our emails, check your junk or spam folder.
Look for messages from email addresses ending in “@cic.gc.ca.”

Leaving Canada after you submit your application

You can leave Canada after we receive your application as long as you:

keep your permanent resident (PR) status
can receive any letter mail, parcels and emails we send you after you submit your application
can reply to our letters and emails within the specified time, usually within 30 days
are available in person in Canada to attend your citizenship test (if you’re between 18 and 54 years of age), interview, and ceremony

Let us know if you plan to leave Canada for more than two weeks in a row.

How to submit your fingerprints if needed

If we ask you to submit your fingerprints for citizenship, you’re responsible for paying all fees to have your fingerprints taken.

Your fingerprints must be taken electronically. You can arrange to have them taken through

your local police service
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
an RCMP-accredited fingerprint company

To find an RCMP-accredited fingerprint company, search online: RCMP accredited fingerprinting company [city name]. Make sure the fingerprinting company can provide you with a copy of their RCMP Letter of Accreditation.

Learn more about what services accredited fingerprint companies offer.

Check and update your application

You can check your application status online

to find out where we are with your application
only after you’ve received an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter or email
- You’ll get an AOR after we receive your application and check that it’s complete.

Due to COVID-19, it’s taking us longer to

check that your application is complete
send you an AOR letter or email with your application number

If your case is non-routine, we may contact you to get more information or ask you to send us other documents.

Check your application status

When to contact us

Do not contact us about your application status if you don’t have an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letter.

Due to COVID-19, we cannot

provide processing times or tell you how much longer it will take us to process your application
give you more information than what is available in the Client Application Status tool

While we process your application, contact us if any information on your application changes or if you

change your address
plan to leave Canada for more than 2 weeks in a row
can’t check your application status online and the normal processing time for your application has passed
are charged with a crime

Due to privacy laws, we can’t give information about your application to anyone unless you consent in writing. For example, if you have difficulty communicating in English or French, you need to provide consent for a family member to contact us about your application.

Discover Canada

Study for your citizenship test and learn about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship

Citizenship judges

Find out about the role of the citizenship judges and the Citizenship Commission

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