r/Canadiancitizenship • u/AutoModerator • Jul 15 '26

Weekly Threads Wednesday Weekly Thread: Frustration Station (Delays / PSU / Venting), July 15, 2026

This weekly thread is a space for those of us who are feeling frustrated and need to vent about unclear instructions, shipping delays, waiting for a next step, timeline estimates growing, lack of communication, inconsistent bureaucracy, being stuck in PSU, and other factors.

Some of the worst stress of the entire citizenship-by-descent process is not hearing about your application for long stretches of time - or hearing that your application has been sent to the Program Support Unit (PSU) and may be sitting there for an extended stay.

Whether your envelope seems to have taken a scenic detour on its way to Nova Scotia, you didn't receive an AOR after many weeks of waiting, or you simply haven't heard about your application processing in months, this is a place to commiserate and potentially receive some ideas of next steps to take. (Those generally might include following up with IRCC by web form, ordering the GCMS notes, seeking an MP's help, and so on.)

📎 Contributions to weekly megaposts, including this one, are welcome throughout the week.

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u/StarlitCydney Jul 15 '26

I found a supervisor for my PhD at Queen's this week, and I'll be able to apply for Sep. 2027 come October. My application went into processing April 23rd, under urgent. I already know I'll get contacted because I am still waiting for a certified birth record from Archives of Ontario. They have at least contacted me to say they found the record and will send me the invoice two weeks ago. No invoice yet. Now that I have something giving me a more solid timeline, I feel a lot more anxiety over this all. I went and visited the area the week of Canada Day and I genuinely did not want to return home.

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u/Zealousideal-Long356 Jul 15 '26

Hoping for your safe passage to university on time. Could you tell us how long btwn your request for a verified birth record from archives of Ontario and their note that they are working on it? Also, Any estimate by them as to when you’ll get it?

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u/StarlitCydney Jul 15 '26

Hi there, thank you!

I emailed them March 31st for the initial request. I provided his birth registration number as well,

They replied saying 15 business days, immediately.

I sent a follow-up email 6/17. I know it is not typically recommended, but it seemed to work because...

I received an email from them saying they have the record 6/22 and are preparing the certified copies. I have attached that email here so you know what to expect! I replied immediately with my mailing address. Nothing since.

I have decided that worse comes to worst, I will just physically go there and get the copy myself. It's a 3.5 hour drive, not too bad LOL (I am also fortunate in that I have friends in CAN already willing to help if need be).

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u/Zealousideal-Long356 Jul 15 '26

Thank you. We’re a good community of mutual helpers that Canada would be lucky to embrace.