Canada's New Pathway Program 2024

 CANADA'S FASTTRACK CITIZENSHIP PROCESS

You can request urgent processing if you require Canadian citizenship before the normal processing time. Applications for citizenship may be expedited using this procedure, but only under special conditions.

Urgent Citizenship Processing: Applicants who need citizenship quickly because of crises or unique circumstances are eligible for rapid approval for Canadian citizenship. Even if you fit the requirements, expedited service is not guaranteed by the request. Every request will be thoroughly examined by the immigration department to see if expedited processing is both necessary and practical.

Eligibility Criteria: If your circumstances fit into one of the following exceptional cases, you can petition for urgent citizenship processing:

1. Job-Related Needs: 

• You need citizenship to secure a job offer in Canada.
• You are at risk of losing your job without Canadian citizenship.

2. Emergency Travel: 

• You must travel in response to a family emergency, such as a family member's death or severe illness.
• Your existing nationality does not allow you to get a passport in time for your trip.

3. Successful Appeal in Federal Court: You can apply for urgent processing to accelerate the process of obtaining citizenship if you successfully challenged the denial of a prior application in Federal Court.

Key Considerations:

• Urgent processing is not always assured even if your application qualifies.
• Your application will be processed according to the standard processing timetable if your circumstances do not fall under one of the above-mentioned extraordinary categories. 

How to Apply for Urgent Processing of Citizenship:

A. If You Haven’t Sent Your Application Yet

1. Download and fill out the citizenship application: 

• make sure you accurately complete all relevant sections.

2. Give a documented justification for speedy processing: 

• Give a clear explanation of your urgent need for citizenship and include any supporting documentation.
• Example of supporting documents:
                             a) Job offers or termination notices
                             b) Death or illness certificate
                             c) Federal Court decision letters

3. Prepare your application:

• Include the following:
                 a) Completed citizenship application form
                 b) Explanation for urgent processing
                 c) Two photographs as per the instruction guide
                 d) Payment receipt for the required fee
                 e) All other required documents (e.g., proof of residency)

B. If You Have Already Sent Your Application

If your citizenship application is already submitted, but you now require urgent processing, follow these instructions:

1. Submit a Request through the Web Form: 

• Use the IRCC Web Form to explain why urgent processing is needed.

2. Fill out the online form with your personal information

• Full name
• Date of birth
• UCI or application number
• Contact information (email address and phone numbers)

3. Attach Supporting Documents: 

• Upload documents that support your request (e.g., job offers, travel documents).

4. File Format and Size Guidelines:

• Files must be in PDF, JPEG, TIFF, DOC, or DOCX format.
• Each file should be 2 MB or smaller, and the total size of all files should not exceed 3.5 MB.

Tips for Smooth Submission of Urgent Citizenship Applications

• Double-check your documents to ensure completeness before submission.
• Use trackable courier services to mail your application if you’re applying by paper.
• If you’re submitting an urgent request via the Web Form, keep your UCI number and email handy to avoid delays.
• Ensure your file sizes comply with IRCC’s limits to prevent rejection of attachments.

Although it is possible to apply for expedited citizenship processing in Canada, this option is only available in certain situations, such as court appeals, family emergencies, or job loss.