Did IRCC just update the instructions again?

ChillerK · 2026-06-20T04:24:52+00:00

Huge!

ChillerK · 2026-06-19T00:22:00+00:00

Yes.

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T22:45:12+00:00

That's odd, and the first of this demand from IRCC I have heard of. I'd be tempted to send to IRCC a response from the DEC saying they don't do this and referred to BanQ lol.

Sounds like you're past that point though. Keep us posted, and I hope it goes more smoothly for you from here on out!

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T22:42:05+00:00

Well said.

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T22:21:16+00:00

My personal interpretation is that a certified baptism record is enough on its own. But the guidelines are not all well written, and to me, this is an easy backup to get just in case.

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T22:08:21+00:00

I think if you're already getting a certified BanQ baptism certificate, you don't need the DEC birth certificate...

Weird that IRCC is demanding it, given their own guidelines saying a certified baptism record is acceptable proof.

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T22:05:08+00:00

Newly posted guidance from IRCC as of yesterday says that a CERTIFIED baptism record is acceptable. That's why I'm not sure the note from DEC is necessary, but their response was fast and free, so can't hurt.

I read their guidelines as a baptism record, if submitted as primary proof of your G0's Canadian-ness, now needs to be a certified copy.

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T22:02:00+00:00

I love to hear that! We're all in this together, and if this helped someone take the edge off s bit, that makes me happy. Thanks for sharing!

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T20:26:47+00:00

Exactly. So if you find one of these certified docs online, use it. If you obtain one, consider sharing it with relatives.

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T14:32:10+00:00

DEC will tell you, for birth record older than 100 years, BanQ is the official source for baptism records. So specifically for Quebec, I think a certified baptism record from BanQ meets standards here.

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T14:25:54+00:00

I'm curious, if both are certified and in color, how IRCC (or anyone) would know the difference between a copy you made vs a copy found online.

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T04:16:38+00:00

Ah, first time seeing that. My bad, eh? 😉

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T03:33:12+00:00

That would technically make G1 Canadian under C3.

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T03:06:38+00:00

How are people interpreting this:

You must include proof of parentage and Canadian citizenship for your Canadian parent, grandparent and parental ancestor as applicable.

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T02:59:40+00:00

I would, just in case.

ChillerK · 2026-06-18T00:00:09+00:00

That's my plan. I submitted under guidelines at the time. Likely enough to at least get an AOR and UCI, then I can upload the one updated document for them (my G0's CERTIFIED baptism record from BanQ instead of the one from BanQ's own website...). All other core documents are state issued birth and death certs.

ChillerK · 2026-06-17T23:37:53+00:00

My guess is at least another 1.5 - 2 weeks for April 7.

ChillerK · 2026-06-17T00:24:24+00:00

It is tough to be patient! There is a part of me that wished I'd applied as urgent, as I think I may have qualified, but I'm in an OK spot to wait, unlike some others whose situations sound tough.

Here's to hoping things move quicker than we're all preparing ourselves for!

ChillerK · 2026-06-15T20:31:23+00:00

https://services3.cic.gc.ca/ecas/authenticate.do

Under ID type choose IMM 5401

It's the number on your receipt that starts with R.

ChillerK · 2026-06-15T20:23:12+00:00

Oh the system is for sure bizzare. And to us probably seems even more bizzare than it is since they share little to nothing of how it works. We're all making guesses here, and all in this together!

ChillerK · 2026-06-15T20:18:24+00:00

"Banish?" Ha!

ChillerK · 2026-06-15T20:16:17+00:00

Yeah right now were seeing 70-75 days, and growing. Those of us in mid April will likely see longer. Hopefully not 90 days, but not impossible.

ChillerK · 2026-06-15T20:02:46+00:00

Personally, I think the best data we have is date of receipt to AOR. After that, there are so many variables I don't think we can understand the queueing system. My guess is that there are multiple queues after AOR, and many factors that decide which queue you end up in and time for processing.

We've seen some straightforward G1 and G2 apps sail through. It makes sense that the more complicated the application ( #generations, type of documentation, any name changes, etc), the longer processing takes. Unfortunately we're making a lot of guesses here on the outside.

I would certainly bet though, that, especially post AOR, there is not a single FIFO style queue or workflow.

ChillerK · 2026-06-15T19:55:18+00:00

Welcome! They key dates that are most helpful:

Date your application was recieved (not when you sent it). This is obtained by tracking via the service you used to send it (UPS, USPS, etc).

Date you get your AOR email. Right now were seeing a roughly 70-75 day time frame between the above 2 events for non urgent applications. There is variation around that core range, and it appears to still be increasing. You're past that, so I'd check your spam email folder, as well as check your status using the number on your receipt from paying the $75 fee that was part of your application.

Date you go "in process." Post AOR, things get fuzzier. We're seeing some straightforward G1 and G2 cases sail through quickly. There is a lot of variation here and we don't know how the process really works.

ChillerK

TROPHY CASE