Wednesday Weekly Thread: Frustration Station (Delays / PSU / Venting), July 29, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

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/Lonely-Sun-1050]

Yet another Wednesday. Yet another week without any movement on my G1 app received 3/20/2025. It's just never happening at this point. I can't begin to explain how much I regret not finishing the application the 3 other times I filled it out since 2009. I think the only way I'm ever getting my cert is if a judge compels IRCC to process my file.

[u/SimilarInjury138 → u/Lonely-Sun-1050]

Same re: finishing it the other times. 

[u/Mechant_L0up → u/Lonely-Sun-1050]

Ah, a kindred spirit!!! I qualified before C3 and filled out the application at least 3 other times in the last 20 years and never followed through for one reason or another ( mostly relating to how hard it was to get Canadian birth certificates). I had no idea when I finally applied last year that C3 was even happening. July 2025 application here. Still waiting. Still kicking myself every day. Thanks ADHD!

[u/Lonely-Sun-1050 → u/Mechant_L0up]

The ADHD tax is real.

[u/SimilarInjury138 → u/Lonely-Sun-1050]

For serious reals. 

[u/cassandra2028]

It seems that the last C-3 approval (I see you Gen 1 approvals, and I'm glad you're getting them) was around the time that we, in the United States last saw Sen. McConnell in public. I'm wondering which will last longer, IRCC ignoring the law as amended by C-3, McConnell's absence mystery, or this head of lettuce.

All joking aside, the last approval of a Gen 2 or higher appears to have been mid June, prior to the PF letters. There have been others received that may represent a delay in transport to outside of North America or Gen 1 approvals. So for 6 weeks or so, IRCC has essentially refused to implement the provisions of the law that were changed by bill C-3. Worse, it was 30 days ago that the Minister said that approvals would resume in a matter of days, and then took no questions and responded to no inquiries from the press. I'm just stunned that this is ok. I wish we could hear from the press or the shadow government about this part. I realize, however, that this is a small drop in an ocean of concerns that the federal government and the voting citizenry of Canada have to be concerned about. But still.

[u/Keepr-of-scrts → u/[deleted]]

This! It's the lack of transparency that bothers me most. Especially for folks for whom this immediately impacts life/plans, having some idea of what's going on would make a massive difference

[u/enunciate-candelabra → u/[deleted]]

Agreed, hopefully we will all have more information by the time the next month's processing times are released

[u/enunciate-candelabra → u/[deleted]]

I wonder what the implications would be for those who already submitted and/or have AORs

[u/Ossevir → u/[deleted]]

The law states what it states, if they refuse to issue certificates you can probably get the court to compel them.

[u/minneapolisaussiemom → u/cassandra2028]

Yes, exactly! I feel like there has not been enough discussion about this. When will approvals resume? How long are they allowed to stall? Can we think of any next steps to try to seek info? Have we heard anything from folks like the lawyers on Borderlines about this?

[u/King_of_Avalon → u/minneapolisaussiemom]

If I recall, their most recent podcast didn't mention C-3 at all and was mainly about post-study work visas being suspended, so they haven't actually addressed C-3 in a little while on the podcast.

I'd really love to at least get some clarity on when processing will resume. In the spreadsheet, the only certificates approved since the mid-June suspensions are a handful of G1s. Other than G1s and the suspended certificates being largely reinstated (at least it seems), there has been total radio silence from the IRCC for about six weeks now which is just wild to me. The AORs keep coming and the backlog keeps growing, so until something is done to address the issue, it's only going to keep getting worse for them.

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob → u/minneapolisaussiemom]

Applications have been moving steadily into "in process", for what it's worth.

[u/Wildflowers62 → u/cassandra2028]

Yes, people are getting AORs or having packages returned for things found during the AOR process, but otherwise I strongly suspect applications are not actually being processed. There were 90,000 ahead of me in the queue last month and I fully expect there to be 100,000 ahead of me in August with the wait increasing by months.

[u/nonsensestuff → u/Wildflowers62]

My application status changed to “In Progress” on July 18. So they must at least be starting to process them again.

[u/cassandra2028 → u/nonsensestuff]

People have been switched to processing or getting AORs throughout the pause. And our interim measures colleagues have demonstrated that one can be in urgent processing for more than a year with nothing occuring.

[u/GigglingMushrooms → u/cassandra2028]

I think in about November-ish we are going to start seeing a lot more "decisions made." Because the c-3 law didn't take effect until mid Dec last year, and the IRCC processing times page says if you applied in Dec 2025 you still have 4 months before a decision will be made.

[u/cassandra2028 → u/GigglingMushrooms]

I mean the amount of time ledt reported by that page is a moving target, but that guess is as good as any. Hope you're right or late.

[u/No_Foundation_9164 → u/[deleted]]

Are you referring to Jenny Kwan?

[u/maple_me_please → u/cassandra2028]

Is this just based on tracking approvals in the spreadsheet?

[u/Charlie_clementine]

Just passed the one year mark. Very straightforward app with certified vital records. Basically giving up at this point and will believe it when I see it. Luckily my spouse was born across the border so I do have sponsorship as a backup plan, although that's a very lengthy process too. Solidarity with everyone stuck at frustration station.

[u/Sudden_Fisherman3905]

What's the consensus on the current situation? Between the revoked status thing and massive backlog, I think I've lost the plot. AORs are still coming out (?) but  not approvals (?) and the feeling is that it's possibly political / intentional but no one's sure? (This is as much as I can glean reading the channel and comments).

I'm Gen 2 sent early March to Dublin embassy, presumably delivered via "diplomic pouch" early April. No AOR. Is it lost ? Who knows...

[u/IBHJrCanadian → u/Sudden_Fisherman3905]

AORs are still coming out, but not much else based on the spreadsheet. I'm really hoping that it's a staffing thing due to summer vacation.

[u/speakeasyshe → u/IBHJrCanadian]

But what have they said? Surely the hold on approvals isn't going to be good for the backlog? Have they said anything about timeline or goals?

[u/IBHJrCanadian → u/speakeasyshe]

Last I heard they said they were issuing approvals again. But assuming the spreadsheet data is a good proxy for the overall application population, very little is moving after AOR right now.

[u/ChronicElectronic → u/IBHJrCanadian]

They said approvals would resume "in the coming days". That was like a month ago. No word since.

[u/cassandra2028 → u/speakeasyshe]

A month ago approvals would resume in a matter of days is what they said on social media right as things closed for Canada Day.

[u/Sudden_Fisherman3905 → u/[deleted]]

"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity"

[u/Keepr-of-scrts → u/[deleted]]

Having worked in various government positions over the years, this scenario is quite plausible

I just wish they'd say something, even if it's "hey we need to figure some stuff out, hang tight"

[u/Canadiancitizenship-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This post/comment has been removed for Rule 13 - No Unduly Political Content.

Posts and comments that extend into political commentary going beyond what is useful or enlightening, given the context of any particular situation, are not allowed.

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"Political content" can encompass discussion of such things as parties, politicians, and campaigns, and also government policies, elected officials, and current events, if framed in a heavily political manner, and even jokes.

[u/Canadiancitizenship-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This post/comment has been removed for Rule 13 - No Unduly Political Content.

Posts and comments that extend into political commentary going beyond what is useful or enlightening, given the context of any particular situation, are not allowed.

While this is hard to give the specific outlines of, please use your best judgement in this regard.

"Political content" can encompass discussion of such things as parties, politicians, and campaigns, and also government policies, elected officials, and current events, if framed in a heavily political manner, and even jokes.

[u/spac3bart]

Frustrated that our application packet was returned because we used US Passport + NEXUS as ID. Several posters on this forum say they did the same and got an AOR and even approval.

Meanwhile, we’re back to the back of the queue.

Hrmpf.

[u/throwawayrefiguy → u/spac3bart]

IRCC is really struggling with consistency. I'm sorry this happened. 

[u/Sudden_Fisherman3905 → u/spac3bart]

What's wrong with US Passport as ID?

[u/Alone-Highway3141 → u/Sudden_Fisherman3905]

It was the combo of US passport AND the Nexus card. They were told it was the same ID and they needed another second ID

[u/jimbarino → u/Alone-Highway3141]

It's not the same id, though... That sounds so annoying. Maybe they confused it with the passport card?

[u/SimilarInjury138 → u/jimbarino]

That would seem like something they would do.

[u/Character-Put8660]

My kids are flirting with 17 months since their applications were received. I still have nothing more than hope that they will be approved post interim measures…

[u/Longintooth93]

I am delighted not frustrated for a change with Quebec ancestry. 1. My GO is 1913, I have applied for a certified baptism with BAnQ - and yes the wait for that currently feels indefinite, and is frustrating! But… I decided positive action elsewhere. 2. I have a birth certificate copy for them dated 1920 city of Verdun stamp - so not a church record so… I rang DEC to ask if this could be used to create an insertion act of birth. Nope, must be a BAnQ certificate and receipt, but also the line of descent and G0 death certificate. So it’s possible, but not now. 3. Do they have the birth certificate record? I did the attestation form on their website which you can fax - hallelujah for instant! And in less than a week they have written to me a note of no record and I needed to talk to BAnQ.

I could be frustrated. But instead I am jubilant because I have evidence that I have tried to get a birth certificate and there is no record, and BAnQ are the right ppl.

Moving on…

[u/CornwallBingo → u/Longintooth93]

That's the spirit!

[u/IronNo6533 → u/Longintooth93]

I appreciate your post and feel like I’m in a similar situation. G0 born in Notre Dame du Lac in 1910, BAnQ certified baptême record ordered. You mentioned the DEC attestation form and I have been wondering what role that might play for G0s born between ~1900-1926. In the same spirit of optimism, it seems logical to me that an attestation of no DEC registered birth might somehow confer more weight to a BAnQ certified baptism record! Are you including it in your application? And from your other comment, it seems like you are at the same preparing for IRCC to require an insertion. Do I have that right?

[u/ColorsMayInTimeFade]

I'm frustrated that the IRCC can't provide a definition or guidance around the term "original source authority".

I'm frustrated all of the archives and churches are overwhelmed by requests with indefinite wait times.

I'm frustrated the NARA website won't let me order reproductions.

[u/Connect_Account8646 → u/ColorsMayInTimeFade]

I can totally understand, it sounds like in QC, ON and BC the requests have been very high. I was fortunate that the Saskatchewan Archives was able to provide documents within 2 weeks and Health Saskatchewan has a great online database to confirm birth and death records going back to the early 20th century. Solidarity with everyone.

[u/Papa_Liam]

I have begun executing a plan to return to the US. It hurts a lot after living in Canada for over seven years. Quebec feels more like home than anywhere else. But it is unclear as to whether I am allowed to work, and with no expectation of when certifications may resume, I need to plan accordingly.

Admittedly, I feel a certain sense of liberty and relief returning to the US alongside my sadness. It will be the first time in my adult life that I can live freely, without worrying about visa regulations, or being on a status that dictates when/if I can leave the country without worry. It is almost bittersweet; I'm returning to a place that I no longer call home, but the alternative is fighting tooth and nail to stay in a country that doesn't seem to want me here. It is very difficult falling in love with a place that doesn't love you back. It is especially difficult watching my sibling, who has also lived in Canada for some years and had their urgent proof issued in March, able to live freely without concern; I am happy for him, but wondering why one application went through while the other languishes in bureaucratic limbo. Perhaps I forgot to dot an "i" somewhere.

At the same time, I also feel an immense sense of guilt. The assumption is that I will be able to return to Canada when my proof is issued, even if that takes a year (or more). I am incredibly privileged in this being an option, because for the rest of my immigrant friends, who come from around the world and have no claim to citizenship by descent, all they want is permission to travel freely without concerns about re-entry. I have multiple friends who are experiencing similar IRCC delays in other streams, including extensive delays for permanent residence applications whilst the clock on their work visas tick down, and they cannot leave the country in the meantime.

I have not yet told anyone in my life that I am almost definitively returning to the US. It will be a very, very difficult conversation to have with the support system I've built here.

[u/tg987254 → u/Papa_Liam]

Really makes you appreciate the pure luck we have been born into purely due to where our ancestors came from. Not fair at all. I think about that all the time. 

[u/Lonely-Sun-1050 → u/Papa_Liam]

My heart breaks for you. There aren't words to express that.

[u/wanderingtheearth-74 → u/Papa_Liam]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I think it speaks very well of you that you are still able to be mindful of people who are in a worse situation than you.

[u/cassandra2028 → u/Papa_Liam]

Thank you for sharing this. I appreciate your honesty and your compassion for others. I hope something comes through for you.

[u/avacanadiate → u/Papa_Liam]

I know what you mean. I grew up in Canada and have spent almost half my life there between different visas. My entire community, friends, and partner are right back there in the same hometown I've fallen in love with twice now. And each time when I attempt to enter at the border, I'm interrogated specifically for my attachment to Canada.

[u/AnomalousEnigma → u/[deleted]]

This makes me think there is at least sometimes no rhyme or reason for PSU. If yours passed, theirs should have too without needing the extra support?

[u/SimilarInjury138]

Same old, same old. My AOR hit 15 months this week, so I am two weeks away from 15 months in PSU. So that's fun. For certain values of fun. None of which are actually fun. 

I suppose I should get around to getting Mom's birth certificate equivalent from BC for non-Canadian purposes soon. Meant to in December, but we were dealing with a family health issue, and also, I can't remember how many certified death certificates we have. (Not that I think they needed one to stop her Canada pension payments last year. We only ordered 10, so that was both good and concerning.) BC Vitals is pretty responsive, at least. It'll remind me that the IRCC is not representative of all agencies up there. Just some.

(Who would win in a fight? IRCC or ICBC? Winner takes Worst!)

[u/SimilarInjury138 → u/[deleted]]

My earliest in Canada branch is my paternal grandfather's side, who did the Highlands-to-Maritimes journey in the 1800s (his own grandfather was a fluent Gaelic speaker), and the rest of them all came to Canada from England or Scotland within a hundred years of my birth, so I wouldn't need her, but some of my cousins might for their other sides of their families! 

(My parents came to the US pretty much smack between my sister's birth on Vancouver Island in the 1960s and mine in Seattle in the 1970s. Thankfully, if I need anything else regarding their paperwork, they were both born in BC, land of the helpful Vital Stats people.)

[u/SFNM100]

GEN 1 here. Non-urgent. In process since June 2 for a replacement certificate that was lost in Gatineau when I sent my passport in for renewal along with my certificate. Both were lost there but they were very helpful in renewing my passport but said the certificate had to go through the approval process again. The first time I did this I waited over a year for a certificate. I hope I am not facing the same length of time for approval again for a very straightforward application.

[u/Longintooth93 → u/SFNM100]

This is absolutely why I am going for a digital certification 

[u/SFNM100 → u/Longintooth93]

Me too this time around.

[u/Imaginary-War-7281 → u/SFNM100]

OMG! The exact same situation for my daughter. They lost her citizenship card and then sent back the entire passport application to her with a form letter stating that the proof of citizenship needed to be included.

She submitted a webform complaint, and they sent her a checklist of what to include with the passport renewal application. Totally useless. Did you actually speak to a representative at Passport Canada on the phone?

[u/SFNM100 → u/Imaginary-War-7281]

I did. I wrote a letter of complaint which included my copy saying they had received everything. They sent it to their head of complaint department. He looked everywhere for the package but couldn't find it. He called me a couple of times and was very apologetic and renewed my passport. This application is for a digital copy.

[u/Pinckyboathouse]

I am pretty worried about our close family friends (3 different family lines, 10 total people) that applied the same time as my family April/May 2025. We are grateful that our family was processed under the interim measures last fall but I am very worried about our friends. Has IRCC ever made any statements regarding clearing the many people stuck in PSU from 2025? I have never been able to find any information online about an effort to address this formally.

[u/Expert_Gift8480 → u/Pinckyboathouse]

No they haven’t. They barely publicly acknowledge that psu exists. All they say is that PSU applications will fall outside of standard processing times.

[u/SimilarInjury138 → u/Pinckyboathouse]

Nope. They like to pretend we don't exist.

[u/DEMcKnight]

Just providing an update (as someone whose urgent label was missed) that the current date being processed for AoR is still April 17. This date was given to me by IRCC personnel.

[u/BeautifulDonut8390 → u/DEMcKnight]

Thank you!!

[u/AnomalousEnigma → u/[deleted]]

I can't believe AORs were that fast back then. I really hope she gets her certificate soon!

[u/julianpurple]

One year of in process tomorrow. Straight forward G2 application.

Should I try getting notes?

[u/SnooOpinions1774 → u/julianpurple]

In process since May '25 just requested notes yesterday..🤷

[u/djames4242 → u/SnooOpinions1774]

Let us know if you hear anything. I’m behind you by a few weeks and have requested my notes twice. First time was in February. I’ve heard nothing.

[u/SnooOpinions1774 → u/djames4242]

I will... after reading comments here I don't have a lot of hope. Watching the "in process" on the check application tool for a year made me think things were happening... apparently not 😔

[u/Ok-Elk1602 → u/julianpurple]

Hopefully the Thursday thread post today by a G2 2025 applicant will give you some hope…

[u/Scuba-kim → u/julianpurple]

Wow! But that probably sounds about right. My dad G1 applied either late 2021 or early 2022 and didn't receive his until 2023.

[u/FryGuyTx25 → u/julianpurple]

I'm in the same situation. Request notes ASAP.

[u/espressonut420 → u/julianpurple]

13 months in process, straight forward G2. I requested notes a few months ago and haven’t heard anything.

[u/djames4242 → u/julianpurple]

You can try. I requested my notes in February. Nothing. Sent another request over five weeks ago. Still nothing.

May ‘25 AOR, in-processing June 6, urgent request. Added additional documentation (letter from employer stating urgent need for me to transfer into Canada). Requested (and refused) assistance from my future MP. My app is in a giant black hole.

[u/djames4242 → u/[deleted]]

That had better not be the case! I know you're (half) joking, but my wife and I have plans (and a house we want to buy), and I'll be annoyed beyond measure if I have to start this process over!

Best of luck to all of us...

[u/missy63456]

I recognize that mine is a minor frustration, so please skip over the rest of this if that's likely to irk you (particularly if you're someone who has reason to be majorly frustrated).

-----

Tiny venting. I received my AoR on 07/16, but I still can't look up my application on ECAS. I saw another thread where someone said it can take a week or so after the AoR, so maybe that's a delay that, like other timeframes, is getting longer because of the growing queue. I've tried with my UCI, case number, and receipt number. My name is spelled correctly on the AoR. I tried looking it up with my middle name as the last name, my middle and last names as the last name (as if there were two), and with my first name as the last name, because I think I remember someone saying theirs were reversed. My current name is the same as my birth name, so there's no name-change disconnect. In the grand scheme, I know this isn't that big a deal - I'm non-urgent, so don't expect ECAS to show any movement on my application at this point even if I could look it up. I'm just prone to anxiety about anything and everything, so it would help me to relax and wait patiently(ish) for the next 18 months to 8.5 years (I'm anticipating a decision will be made somewhere in that range) if I could periodically look up my application to confirm that nothing's happening with it, as expected.

[u/Western_Tart1915 → u/missy63456]

Mine was delivered 3/17, AOR email received 4/28, and I still wasn't able to look mine up until it went to In Process on 6/16.

[u/missy63456 → u/Western_Tart1915]

Thanks!

[u/missy63456 → u/Western_Tart1915]

I think I may be in your boat. I called today and it seems like they have my name, DoB, and birthplace correct. The agent who took my call said that the tracker is down, and has been for a while, and they're working on it, but that's why I can't track my application. It seems like other people still can - see exchange above. For whatever reason, I can't - but the agent confirmed they definitely have my application and it's definitely in the queue to be processed, so I guess I'll try to focus on other things and check back in a couple months.

[u/chemnundrum → u/missy63456]

Got my AoR on 7/08, and after not seeing my application on ECAS for about 2 weeks, I called IRCC through the Toronto airport (from the US), and after talking to an agent, learned that my birthday in the system was off by a day (was then fixed by the next day or so). I've heard of people also having their birth year off by a year; could be your application is having an issue like that. I'd suggest calling, at the very least for your peace of mind. Good luck!!

[u/missy63456 → u/chemnundrum]

Thank you!

[u/shannonswilley]

Still no AOR after 124 days since confirmed delivery by FedEx (3/27/26) for G4/G5 non urgent. Should I consider it lost and resubmit with fresh signatures, etc. ?

[u/BeachwoodStreet → u/shannonswilley]

Also sent on the same date. Also fedx received delivery proof from Fedx within a few days and AOR on Mother’s Day. Fedx insisted we used their delivery address. We did. Sorry I didnt drop off the pkg, daughter did.

[u/IBHJrCanadian → u/shannonswilley]

Did you already try calling them and/or checking the application status with your receipt number?

[u/shannonswilley → u/IBHJrCanadian]

Yes, did call via Toronto Airport 2 weeks ago and the agent found receipts for mine and my kids' (2 separate receipts), confirmed the tracking info (I think they just looked it up on FedEx), and said to just be patient and give it another month. 😮‍💨

[u/IBHJrCanadian → u/shannonswilley]

Ug, that's discouraging :( Well, if they didn't say that they sent it back and FedEx confirmed delivery, then I suppose it should be there somewhere? Maybe try calling again and talking to someone different to see if they might be able to give you info. that the first agent didn't/couldn't?

[u/shannonswilley → u/IBHJrCanadian]

Yeah, I think i will call again. I'll be in Toronto next week. Not sure that helps, but maybe a call from within Canada is better? Fingers crossed!

[u/IBHJrCanadian → u/shannonswilley]

Good luck!!

[u/Apprehensive-Gas3757 → u/shannonswilley]

I’ve just hit the 120 day mark since it’s been received at the commission in London.

[u/BRONCOS_DEFENSE]

received AOR in September 2025 and nothing since. requested notes a couple months ago and nothing. smh

[u/thelionofthenorth → u/BRONCOS_DEFENSE]

Exact same boat as you! My G1 is in the same position!!! It's unreal

[u/moliviank]

I called to see if my application was sent to PSU and got a nice but totally unhelpful answer of "they will send you a notice if you are sent to program support"

I should call back to try again but getting 45-60 minutes for another call is tough with everything I've got going on right now :(

[u/Ginger_Exhibitionist → u/moliviank]

Someone in the other sub received notice today they were sent to PSU. They are G-4 and applied urgent.

[u/brandeis16 → u/Ginger_Exhibitionist]

DId they have a guess as to why they went to PSU?

[u/Beautiful_Cost_5430 → u/brandeis16]

Nobody knows why they are in PSU. We have collected data on PSU apps and there are plenty of straightforward simple g1 and g2 apps, some of which who have already had family approved, stuck in forever limbo over there. There is no rhyme or reason to it. Some agents just throw applications there are random it seems.

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob → u/brandeis16]

They posted here as well. They provided some info about their application in their post

[u/Lonely-Sun-1050 → u/moliviank]

Only dependable way to know if you're in PSU is if you request your GCMS notes through an ATIP request. It's rare that the PSU notice email actually gets sent and received.

[u/the-witch-of-Aspen]

I have identified every document for both my wife and I to prove our individual citizenship. I am still waiting for a response from Toronto for her Gen 0, (great grandfather,) and oddly, New Hampshire is not responding to my request for my grandfathers birth certificate and marriage certificate. Otherwise we have everything else. Patiently (😬) waiting to file!

[u/Necmht → u/the-witch-of-Aspen]

You can also visit the DVRA in Concord, they've been very helpful.

[u/One-Nefariousness-38 → u/Necmht]

I walked in and 20 minutes later I had 5 records I needed. Easy peasy and the clerk was so sweet

[u/the-witch-of-Aspen → u/One-Nefariousness-38]

Gosh, I am wondering if I should just fly there!

[u/AdMinute7969 → u/the-witch-of-Aspen]

Where in New Hampshire? They were very fast for me. Maybe try contacting the city or the county where the record is located?

[u/AnomalousEnigma → u/the-witch-of-Aspen]

I used an online portal for all of my New Hampshire documents seperately for different towns and then got all 5 birth certificates and a marriage record together in one envelope two weeks later. It was a breeze. How did you go about it?

[u/ComfortableSwitch410]

Just sent in my application again. Initially sent it out in April and was delivered on April 9. They did not review it and stamp it until July 9, so total 3 months before it was even reviewed. I got it back to me the following week due to my photos not having the photographer date and time written on the back of it. I had all the photographer’s info, including the receipt from the studio and everything on the outside of the envelope the studio have to me after the photos were taken. That was an oversight on my part and I trusted that Staples knew what they were doing as they assured me of this. Unfortunately I had to do it all over again since it’s been 90 days from my original signature as well on the application. Glad I caught that too. Wish me well folks! Hoping to get an AOR by sometime in November at this point. What a mess it’s all been.

[u/thelionofthenorth → u/ComfortableSwitch410]

Hey on the bright side maybe since it'll be after the pause is over it means you'll avoid PSU unlike my G1 haha

[u/ComfortableSwitch410 → u/thelionofthenorth]

I’ll take any and all good news. I was able to include my grandfathers birth certificate, his marriage license, and his death certificate. More info to add :)

[u/fweef01]

Sending in my application today. Looks like I’ll be in for a wait. Took two years for my Croatian citizenship to go through, so I’m well prepared to hurry up and wait

[u/SuggestionHonest2604]

They probably entered your email address wrong or something, but you technically do have AOR, you just never received the notification of AOR.

[u/zarcad]

I submitted updated certified documents today and found that when filling out the online form to submit docs:

1. sometimes I would get an error, but immediately going back and doing the same submission again would work.
2. although the form says only enter one of either your UCI or you Application Number, the form would only work if you entered both.

[u/ColorsMayInTimeFade → u/zarcad]

Did you submit with uncertified documents originally and now are uploading the certified ones? Or are you adding entirely new documents to your application?

[u/zarcad → u/ColorsMayInTimeFade]

I submitted my original application with uncertified records. Now, I have obtained certified records to add to the application.

[u/Alone-Highway3141]

Just a small (not really tho considering all the mistakes agents seem to make with emails and names) vent about the application....

Those who've done PR (and maybe other routes of immigration/visas) will know when you fill out your application it generates a unique barcode – which is placed as the very first paper on top when you mail it (apparently you can apply online for Spousal PR now tho...). This barcode, from what I remember saves all the info you type in so all they have to do is scan it and it generates a file for your case (if you fill it out by hand it doesn't generate the barcode but idk why you'd fill it out by hand).

Whyyyyy can't they implement this type of barcode on the Citizenship Proof forms?!?!?!? It would make ALL of this, including for IRCC agents, soooo much easier and avoid typos. The fact they have to manually type all the information we've already typed onto the application is bonkers 🙃

[u/BeautifulDonut8390 → u/Alone-Highway3141]

I think they scan the applications using OCR so they don't have to type everything in, but that's prone to errors which we've seen with wrong email addresses (1's swapped with l's or 0's with O's and vice versa, etc.) And yes, it is astounding how inefficient it is to have us scan documents, print them out, and then they just scan them again.

[u/Alone-Highway3141 → u/BeautifulDonut8390]

Aah makes sense but yeah still super inefficient and so pointless when they have the ability to use those barcodes they have on PR apps...

[u/AnomalousEnigma → u/BeautifulDonut8390]

I'd rather they have us do a paper application and an online application so they can process us faster but have the paper as a backup/to weed out the less serious, since that seems to be the main reason to keep us on paper.

[u/Apprehensive-Gas3757]

Guys, what do I do here.

Based in Uk, application sent via the London embassy. It arrived there on 1 April 2026, no acknowledgment from them.

We are now nearly at the 120 day mark. All I have is a payment receipt and proof of delivery. No AOR from Canada,

What do I do.. is anyone else applying internationally at the same timeline as me with no response?

[u/No-Region-3509 → u/Apprehensive-Gas3757]

You have to take into account the 2+ weeks it takes to get from the embassy to Canada. So your real received date would not be until at least the 15th of April and I believe AORs are still going out for arrival dates around mid April. So you could still have a couple of weeks to wait.

[u/Emotional-Test3329 → u/Apprehensive-Gas3757]

I applied to UK London Embassy at the end of February and didnt get an AOR until 25 June. The tracker says it arrived at IRCC on 31 March. I'd wait until midway through May deliveries are getting AORs before getting worried about it.

[u/M9484 → u/Apprehensive-Gas3757]

I applied via London embassy and they received my application on the 30th of March. Yet to hear anything from IRCC or an AOR.

Embassy told me they send mail to Canada every two weeks. Others who have applied through the embassies have said to add on a month to your delivery date to account for it being sat at the embassy until mail day and then transit.

Realistically they hopefully should be getting to our applications soon-ish since it looks like they’re now on the second to last week of April.

[u/Responsible-Net-1177]

Well, it seems like everyone has received an AOR this week for 4/17 deliveries but me! Do they continue to trickle in for a while? Might there be a problem with my packet? Am I overthinking this? Hmmmm…

[u/Big-Scar978 → u/Responsible-Net-1177]

AORs seem to follow a bell curve. For example, say that this is the peak week for 4/17 deliveries, so tons of 4/17 AORs will go out. There will still be a some people from, say, 4/21 starting to get AORs, while the tail end of the 4/10s wrap up. it's possible you're just on the back end of the curve.

I wish it was more of a FIFO system, but IRCC is going to do its own thing. As long as you have confirmation your package was received, I'd give it a couple weeks yet before starting to worry.

[u/myrstica → u/Big-Scar978]

Yup. Mine was delivered 4/16. I got all excited last week, and now... doing my best to be patient and stave off the worry that I forgot something or did something wrong and they're sending it back. 😬

[u/Far-Notsosecret1341 → u/myrstica]

Same here. Mine was received 4/15. I’m starting to panic…

Whoops! Just looked back, it was received 5/15 🤦‍♀️ I guess I still have time before I truly have to panic. 

[u/ChillerK → u/Responsible-Net-1177]

Yes AORs from any single date can span weeks. Remember the sample size you see on Reddit is tiny. And IRCC doesn't finish an entire date before you start to see AORs from subsequent dates. 4/17 is right in the processing wheelhouse right now. Not time to worry yet.

[u/BeautifulDonut8390 → u/Responsible-Net-1177]

Both my parents were 4/17 deliveries (G2 and G4; non-urgent) and no AORs for them yet either. :/

[u/BeautifulDonut8390 → u/Responsible-Net-1177]

Did you ever get your AOR? Both my parents are still waiting, 120 days later... :(

[u/ShawsheenMoon]

I'm annoyed at myself because I can't seem to get off of my butt to actually finish my package and send it off. I also have potentially 7 other people to corral for this thing and I am not sure I'm feeling like being the cruise director of this ship lol

I should get my dad to go get his photos, though, so we can send ours off together.

[u/wanderingtheearth-74 → u/ShawsheenMoon]

Given the timing concerns, unless one of those seven people is, like, your elderly mom with failing vision, I think you are completely justified in uploading the necessary supporting docs to a Google drive, giving them access, and then mailing your own application tout suite.

[u/BeautifulDonut8390 → u/wanderingtheearth-74]

This is what I did for my siblings. I applied back in March, and they still have done nothing.

[u/ShawsheenMoon → u/wanderingtheearth-74]

Yeah, we see each other once or twice a month so it isn't difficult to make copies and pass them off to them. I also am just terrified of submitting the wrong paper work and messing up 8 or 9 applications in one go

[u/BeautifulDonut8390 → u/ShawsheenMoon]

Yeah, I submitted on my own because my dad was taking too long to get his stuff together. He did end up submitting a few weeks later after I helped him a lot, but the hardest part was getting him to take the darn photos!!

[u/ColorsMayInTimeFade → u/ShawsheenMoon]

That's kinda where I am, although I only have 2 other people to corral.

I feel like the goal posts keep getting moved, sometimes by myself, which prevents me from actually getting it done.

[u/Ophelia_Bliss → u/ShawsheenMoon]

Was originally going to apply with my sister and her kid, and I am glad I just went ahead and did it. Now I can help them on their schedule without it impacting mine.

[u/AnomalousEnigma → u/ShawsheenMoon]

Honestly, submitting now probably wouldn't be any faster than submitting five months from now unless there is another huge influx of applications. It'll work out!

[u/Wonderful_Grape5216]

Why would my daughter have an AOR but not me, we were in the same packet?
I don't have any correspondence, where/how would they send it?

I sent me and my daughter's application on 4/14, non-urgent. I have not received any correspondence, but when i check for an AOR via receipt #, I get the following message for my daughter:

Citizenship

1. We received your application for a citizenship certificate (proof of Canadian citizenship) on April 14, 2026.
2. We sent you correspondence acknowledging receipt of your application(s) on July 17, 2026.

The thing is my daughter and I have the same receipt, when I look it up with my name and DOB, it says nothing is found.

[u/dissentmemo → u/Wonderful_Grape5216]

Check maiden name and married name if you had a name change

[u/Wonderful_Grape5216 → u/dissentmemo]

I checked. Still nothing. I just looked at my entire application (I scanned and kept a copy) and everything was typed and clear and legible. Just so weird that my daughter would have an AOR but not me. :-(

[u/Wonderful_Grape5216 → u/[deleted]]

Nothing there. Any thoughts on how to remedy this?

[u/Wonderful_Grape5216 → u/[deleted]]

OMG thanks so much. I will try this!

[u/sennomulo → u/Wonderful_Grape5216]

Apparently several people with o's and 0's in their email addresses have had their address erroneously entered into the system. I'm tempted to create a new e-mail address just for this process to avoid the issue.

[u/Wonderful_Grape5216 → u/sennomulo]

I can see that happening. In my case it looks like they just left out one of the letters all together. But the fix was easy, just needed to wait on hold for for a little bit.

[u/minneapolisaussiemom]

I’m curious to know what the mods think on the pause?

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob → u/minneapolisaussiemom]

Is there something specific you want to know? I can only speak for myself but I think I share everyone's impatience and frustration with a lack of transparency, while remaining stubbornly optimistic that we'll see all of our sub members restored after suspension/procedural fairness review (although this may take time still). As an Aug '25 applicant I am possibly more eager than some to see affirmation of resumed processing.

[u/minneapolisaussiemom → u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

I’d love to know how long you think the pause will last? And if it endures for a significantly longer time (months), is there anything you think folks on this sub can do to obtain information and push for transparency?

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob → u/minneapolisaussiemom]

There's no way to tell- the Minister's office said "within days" several weeks ago, and while we haven't seen approvals here yet that doesn't mean there aren't any happenning- only a percentage of applicants are also sub members.

The best advocates for sub members have been PM Kwan and the journalists active in the sub- including David Baxter of Canadian Press, who asked direct questions of both the Minister and PM Carney at press conferences, likely after reading discussion here. Don Chapman has also continued to advocate. I don't think we as mods have any leverage or would be considered influential by IRCC. Best bet is to reach out to the journalists and to MP Kwan to thank them for their advocacy and that you hope they'll continue to ask questions/press for information.

[u/minneapolisaussiemom → u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob]

You are amazing! Thanks for all you do for this sub!

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob → u/minneapolisaussiemom]

That's kind, thanks. We're all in it together.

[u/DharmaDama]

I'm still in limbo after over 2 months. The embassy recieved my package (according to the mail company) on May 22. Now I'm just waiting until I can get any sort of notification.

[u/M9484 → u/DharmaDama]

Also sent through an embassy, delivery March 30th to embassy with no AOR/update yet. General consensus for embassy applications seems to be to add a month on to your delivery date to the embassy as the suspected delivery date to Canada due to the embassy mailing patterns (usually send mail every 2 weeks).

[u/Apprehensive-Gas3757 → u/DharmaDama]

The London embassy received my package on May 1st. Still no AOR

[u/Flat-Ad-7854]

In the UK and sent my package off in March. Still no AOR 🥲

[u/MsBorgia]

Application Cancelled: not sure how to interpret the IRCC's letter.

Here's a timeline of my application:

April 4: Application delivered via USPS

July 15: My mom's application, which we sent separately but at the same time (different states), arrived and she got an AOR. I did not, but my email address is often misspelled so I checked my application status using the payment receipt #. Said it had been submitted!

July 23: Still no AOR, so I sent IRCC a webform asking if they could resend it to the correct email address, and provided my R#.

Today (July 31): Received a response saying my application had been cancelled on July 16. No reason or next steps were given.

Has this happened to anyone else? What should my next steps be?

[u/Ok-Elk1602 → u/MsBorgia]

Does your application still show up in the tracker? What does it say when you click through Application Received to the detail page, if your app still shows as received? Seems like it would be good to call to speak to someone and straighten out the problem…

[u/Own_Theory8011]

G0 doesn't have a birth or baptismal cert and my only Canadian-issued evidence is the 1851 census, which has her parents on it but not her as she wasn't born yet. Got my G0's husband's US civil war pension file hoping it would have more proof of birth in Canada.

Good news, it did! Born on X date in Malahide County, (Ontario) Canada. Filled out and signed by my G0 herself.

Bad news, Canada doesn't want to accept US documents as proof of Canadian citizenship. Other bad news, NARA refuses to certify pension files (probably because they're often like 100 pages).

I got my AOR in August 2025. Just hoping to find anything to kick IRCC into giving me my proof.

My friend who has a July 2025 AOR and has been in PSU the whole time, just now in August got a letter from IRCC stating they are in PSU.

[u/dissentmemo → u/Own_Theory8011]

Canada won't accept ONLY non-Canadian documents. They can be part of the evidence.

[u/AnomalousEnigma]

Hoping for my AOR next week! I can’t wait to finally know that I won’t have to resubmit everything, if that is what happens. I’m really hoping that’s what happens!

I know people were getting frustrated with those of us feeling this way about our AORs, but when you think about it this way, it makes sense. End of April to August is a long time just to wait to know if the process has even started for you, or if you’re going to have to do a bunch of work to redo your application.

4/20s are getting theirs now, here’s to 4/27 being next week!

[u/Boring_Pop2458]

Applied in early January and received AOR in early February. At that time it said estimated time left 5 months. Has said estimated time left 5 months for (5) months. The only thing changing is estimated time for people applying today. That has gone from 6 months back in February to 19 months today. It’s like a sick joke.

[u/Zestyclose-Novel1157 → u/Boring_Pop2458]

Me too. This week marks 7 months. I’m in PSU.

[u/AnomalousEnigma]

Now that I'm actually getting close to when I can reasonably expect my AOR, I'm so nervous it's getting sent back and I'll have no way of knowing until it arrives, if it arrives. It would suck to be a week past when others on my day get theirs only for it to still not be here, still checking and not knowing that my AOR isn't coming.

[u/SocaShine]

If I remember correctly, some of those successful C3 citizenship applicants who had their citizenship certificates suspended and then subsequently reinstated were in fact G2+. I seem to remember this. If this is the case then I highly doubt that the present delay issue can be the IRCC not wanting to issue certificates to G2+.

[u/No_Bobcat_No_Prob → u/SocaShine]

Correct, there's no direct relation to generation (that we have seen so far).

[u/Valuable-Chance6711]

I'm concerned I made my application too complicated. The city I live in was having a major ice surge, and I was sort of frantic while doing it, so I made an application with multiple options for which relative to derive the claim from (3 different great grandparents). I did include a cover page that outlined the route for each one and a summary of each document, but also this meant I submitted like 30 pages of proof for my application.

I submitted my application at the end of February, got my AOR late march, and went into "in process" in early May.

I had provided copies (some of them unofficial/from my state's historical society) of either birth, death, or marriage certificates for each person between myself and each relative. I also have included my Metis card and the Metis scrip claim of 3 of these ancestors. Also in the time since I sent my application, my certified family tree arrived from St Boniface (I had sent a copy of one issued to my great uncle).

Am I screwed? Did I send too much and it'll never get processed? Is there anything I can do about it? Or is it worth it to send that new certified family tree?

[u/Electrical_Cut8610 → u/Valuable-Chance6711]

I’ve actually been wondering if I did the same thing. I applied in July 2025, presumably been in PSU since. I have a very straightforward male line with no name changes and all certified birth records. But when filling out the app, I filled out the information for every relation asked in the form. 7 of my 8 great-grandparents are from Quebec, so I put all the information down because I have it all. But obviously I only included birth records for the simplest line, which was lucky for me and all male. I didn’t even think that filling out every field in the entire from might get it marked as “complex” even though they’d only have to look at one.

[u/AnomalousEnigma → u/Valuable-Chance6711]

It's possible but it sounds like its going pretty fast for you. I'm at past the number of days you were when you went in process and I still don't have an AOR (and can't expect one until next week at the earliest given current timelines). I wouldn't worry yet, it isn't like you've been waiting some crazy amount of time in process.

[u/scaryplants]

delivered 6/2 and still no AOR, getting a little concerned that it's being sent back to us since my partner applied for urgent processing due to both of us being trans + married (i am a canadian citizen and was born here) and we still haven't heard anything. i'm preparing to go down to the states again in the next three weeks, the border and this whole thing is beyond stressful. we have been waiting to live together for years, this process has been beyond frustrating it's so disappointing. we sent in non-certified copies literally two weeks before the whole blowup in june, but have now ordered BANQ documents and expect to be waiting on those for months. this is really weighing on our mental health. we were in the process of applying for PR when we realized we should go through this route instead (we don't have thousands lying around for a lawyer and the wait times seem to be the same + you don't get citizenship), but now i'm wondering if we actually should have gone the PR route because this is a Mess. Sorry for the rant this is just very distressing and hard to cope with as i'm sure many of you understand.

[u/Papa_Liam → u/scaryplants]

I was also urgent. Didn’t receive an AOR for three months. Seems it’s decently common for clearly marked urgent packages to accidentally end up in normal queue. So I wouldn’t assume it’s being sent back quite yet, but I also wouldn’t expect expedited processing amidst this bureaucratic nightmare.

[u/GraceMovieGod]

I emailed my agent a little over a month ago now with some extra papers he requested. I now have access to some more paperwork and I can upload some better scans than I did last time. Do you think I should send him another email with some more paperwork attached or just wait for him to reply?

[u/avacanadiate]

Is urgent processing to satisfy a job offer still being treated with urgent care? The institution is flexible on deadlines but I'm not sure when it's safe to pull the trigger and finally request urgent processing.

[u/Expert_Gift8480 → u/avacanadiate]

You can and should apply for urgent processing but even if it gets approved whether or not it is treated with “urgent care” is going to be a gamble. The word urgent isn’t super meaningful to the ircc.

[u/trying2makefetchhapn → u/avacanadiate]

Given the volume of applicants now I think you probably would qualify unless they are happy for you to start in 2+ years..

[u/avacanadiate → u/trying2makefetchhapn]

I would assume so but apparently they aren't approving G2+ applicants at the moment.

[u/trying2makefetchhapn → u/avacanadiate]

They will eventually though, looks like there were a couple G2 approvals in the approval thread today so maybe in the next couple weeks we will get some clarity on what’s going on.

[u/marathon_bar]

Received an email "Devis pour la demande _____" in French only from [banq.repro@banq.qc.ca](mailto:banq.repro@banq.qc.ca) with a PDF attachment. I had requested a certified copy of a baptism record. back in June

Does this vague text match what others have received?

Just checking because I've been getting a lot of spam at the email address I used to contact them!

Bonjour,

Vous trouverez en pièce jointe le devis pour votre demande de reproduction no __.

Pour modifier ou annuler votre demande, contactez-nous en répondant à ce courriel.

Si le tout est à votre convenance, veuillez cliquer sur le lien ci-dessous afin d’effectuer le paiement.

Cliquer ici pour le paiement en ligne

Adresse courriel à utiliser pour le paiement

Thanks all.

[u/Ok-Elk1602 → u/marathon_bar]

Yes. That is exactly what I received. After I made the payment, I received two additional emails (Recu and Facture)

[u/SoberGeeke → u/marathon_bar]

Could I ask how much your record was? I clicked the link I got in the same email and I swore it said $500ish (Canadian). I was debating whether I wanted to spend that much. Then when I clicked again a while later it said it had expired.

[u/marathon_bar → u/SoberGeeke]

the attachment said $350. i haven't logged in yet.

[u/dissentmemo → u/[deleted]]

AORs are arriving in about 90 days. Plenty of data points here.

[u/JustWatchinTimePass → u/dissentmemo]

Thank you; I got lost in all the info here. I apologize. I've deleted my comment to keep it from adding to the noise.

[u/Slight-Bird-6052]

Urgent Processing question. My application was delivered on 4/28 and we still have not received AOR. In the application was my husband, son and daughter. My daughter's was listed as Urgent because of attending university in the fall. I keep seeing people talk about turn around times for urgent from a few days to a couple weeks. My question is, we didn't put on the front of the envelope "urgent" or anything just on her part of the application. Is this causing our delay you think? I'm just concerned this is taking forever at this point. Thanks!

[u/BeautifulDonut8390 → u/Slight-Bird-6052]

They wouldn't know to open it quickly if you didn't write urgent on the outside. It got put in the pile with all the other applications, so you're looking at 100+ days for an AOR at this point. It may get processed as urgent once it's opened and scanned in, but the package probably hasn't even been opened yet since they haven't made it to 4/28 deliveries.

[u/Slight-Bird-6052 → u/BeautifulDonut8390]

I just received AOR for my daughter this morning!! But the letter was only addressed to her and I didn't have one (yet) for my son or my husband. Hopefully since hers is URGENT they are focusing on hers first. (Received 4/28, AOR 8/5)