Procedure: Abandonment

This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

These program delivery instructions (PDIs) are guidelines and procedures for abandonment of adult and minor grant applications.

On this page

Background: Context, authorities and policy

Context

A person applying for Canadian citizenship is responsible for complying with all requests for necessary documentation and for other requirements such as appearing, when requested, for any event (test, interview, hearing or ceremony).

Citizenship officers are responsible for ensuring that each applicant is given ample time and opportunity to fulfill these requirements before treating an application as abandoned. Failure on the part of the applicant to respond appropriately within time standards set by IRCC will result in the application being treated as abandoned.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21, a moratorium was placed on the abandonment of citizenship applications, and extensions were granted in all cases where requested documents were pending from citizenship applicants. This moratorium is no longer in effect as of April 12, 2021. Consequently, IRCC is no longer automatically extending deadlines for submitting the required supporting documentation and will resume abandonment procedures. In 2021, abandonment procedures were modified to include additional considerations for electronic correspondence and additional guidance on decision making.

Authorities

The Citizenship Act (the Act) includes specific authorities for treating applications as abandoned. The relevant provisions of the Act, introduced as part of the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, are sections A23.1 and A13.2.

23.1 The Minister may require an applicant to provide any additional information or evidence relevant to his or her application, specifying the date by which it is required. For that purpose, the Minister may require the applicant to appear in person or by any means of telecommunication to be examined before the Minister or before a citizenship judge, specifying the time and the place — or the time and the means — for the appearance.

13.2 (1) The Minister may treat an application as abandoned

(a) if the applicant fails, without reasonable excuse, when required by the Minister under section 23.1,

(i) in the case where the Minister requires additional information or evidence without requiring an appearance, to provide the additional information or evidence by the date specified, or

(ii) in the case where the Minister requires an appearance for the purpose of providing additional information or evidence, to appear at the time and at the place — or at the time and by the means — specified or to provide the additional information or evidence at his or her appearance; or

(b) in the case of an applicant who must take the oath of citizenship to become a citizen, if the applicant fails, without reasonable excuse, to appear and take the oath at the time and at the place—or at the time and by the means—specified in an invitation from the Minister.

(2) If the Minister treats an application as abandoned, no further action is to be taken with respect to it.

Policy

The intent of this policy is to allow for the closure of an application where a client is non compliant after a reasonable number of follow-up communications from the processing officer(s)/agent(s), and to avoid the duplication of work, or unnecessary costs in the processing of an application, when an applicant repeatedly does not appear (whether virtually or in-person) or provide evidence without reasonable excuse.

In accordance with sections A13.2 and A23.1, an application can be treated as abandoned when an applicant does not respond to requests for documentation or does not attend an event when requested without a reasonable explanation. Abandonment should be used only when all other options have been exhausted, and it is evident that the applicant is no longer actively pursuing their application, or when a reasonable excuse has not been provided for the applicant’s inability to attend and event or submit requested documents. Where there is sufficient information on file to make a decision, a decision-maker should elect to make a decision on a file rather than treating it as abandoned.

Officers may consider a file abandoned when, without a reasonable excuse or explanation,

  • the applicant does not appear (whether virtually or in-person) for an event (test, retest, interview, hearing or ceremony) on second notice
  • the applicant does not provide supporting documents (for example, physical presence questionnaire [PPQ], supplementary documents, fingerprints, court documents) after a final notice has been issued.

Specific abandonment procedures for each of these scenarios are outlined below.

Procedures for electronic communication

In the past, paper notices were sent prior to any abandonment procedures being implemented where an applicant did not respond to email communication. This interim measure is no longer in place at this time, and applicants may now be sent a final notice following a non-response to an email correspondence.

Procedure for emailed correspondence

Applicants will no longer be required to receive a paper invitation prior to abandonment proceedings. All communications with applicants will be treated the same, whether they are sent by email/digital correspondence or on paper.

In order to maintain a consistent approach, it is recommended that the same means of contacting applicants is used for first and final notifications. For example, if a first time event invitation was sent by email, the final notice should be sent by email as well. Likewise, if a correspondence is sent by physical mail, all subsequent communications related to the same matter should be sent by the same means. The only exception to this is when an applicant specifically requests that they be contacted by physical mail.

Effective immediately, it only needs to be indicated on file (or electronically via a Global Case Management System [GCMS] case note) when correspondence is sent by physical mail or by any digital correspondence other than email (such as ePost Connect). If this is not indicated on file, the default assumption will be that the communication was sent by email. If an applicant has requested a preference to be contacted by physical mail rather than email, this must be indicated in a case note in GCMS.

Abandonment procedures

First notice

An applicant must receive 2 notices before an application can be abandoned. It is the responsibility of the decision-maker to ensure that 2 opportunities are provided to the applicant, and that additional opportunities should only be provided in exceptional circumstances.

If an applicant contacts IRCC to provide an explanation for missing an event, or being unable to provide requested documentation, IRCC officials must make a determination as to whether the explanation is reasonable.

If the explanation is deemed reasonable, the decision-maker must first assess whether the circumstances warrant a new first-time notice, or whether a final notice is more appropriate. The following should be taken into consideration:

Events

A final notice giving the applicant another opportunity to attend would be more appropriate if the applicant is unable to attend due to a pre-planned or unexpected event impacting their ability to attend, such as:

  • temporary illness
  • school exams
  • work commitments
  • technological problems
  • travel

The applicant should be rescheduled into an identical event and a new first notice will be sent to them if any of the following situations occurs:

  • an event is cancelled or rescheduled
  • the client is unable to attend due to exceptional circumstances, such as
    • extreme weather events
    • long-term/recurring illness
    • travel delays with supporting documentation
    • exceptional personal circumstances

Unavailability period

If the applicant requests an unavailability period, the decision-maker may assess if the reason is sufficient to warrant an extension. They may provide an extension up to but generally not exceeding 6 months from the date of the extension request at the discretion of the case processing officer or case processing agent.

After an extension has been granted, a final notice must be sent. The applicant must be advised (by whichever means the applicant consented to in their application, so long as the correspondence or a detailed summary of the conversation is entered into GCMS) when an extension has been granted, and a case note should be entered into GCMS reflecting this.

Requested documents

When documents have been requested, if none or only parts of the requested documentation are received following a first notice, a final notice should be sent. In cases where partial documents have been received, it must be made clear to the applicant which documents are still required.

If an extension request is received from the applicant, the request must be assessed by the decision-maker. An extension may be granted if

  • the applicant has made efforts to obtain the required documentation, but is unable to obtain them in the required time
  • the decision-maker is aware of delays in the ability of all applicants to obtain specific documentation

If there is no indication or evidence that the applicant has made an effort to obtain the required documents, no extension should be granted, and a final notice with an additional 30 days should be provided.

In general, extension requests should be based on the stated need of the applicant for a period of up to, but generally not exceeding a period of 6 months at the discretion of the case processing officer or case processing agent. For example, the applicant submits an email verifying they have applied for a document and will receive a response in ___ days/weeks/months, or if the service standard is made clear on a public website.

Currently, the COVID-19 citizenship instructions inform applicants that they should not travel to another city or country to obtain requested documents at this time, and that extensions may be provided if a reasonable explanation is provided indicated their ability to obtain documents is affected by COVID-19.

In all cases

If the explanation is deemed unreasonable:

  • the case processing officer or case processing agent must communicate the results of that determination to the applicant through the Notice of Review of Explanation (available on the GCMS T: drive)
  • the applicant will be rescheduled into a new event and sent a final notice
  • a copy of the Notice of Review of Explanation should be uploaded to GCMS along with a case note briefly noting the explanation provided and why the case processing officer or case processing agent determined the explanation to be unreasonable

Case processing officers and case processing agents can make determinations on whether an explanation is reasonable or unreasonable for failure to attend an event, and may also invoke abandonment procedures in cases where no explanation is provided. Only case processing officers can make determinations for both failure to attend events as well as failure to submit documents within the time allowed.

In all cases where an extension is granted:

  • the applicant should be notified (by whichever means the applicant consented to in their application, so long as the correspondence or a detailed summary of the conversation is entered into GCMS)
  • a final notice should be sent providing the approved extended timeframe to the applicant

Rescheduling requests received prior to the event date

In cases where an applicant contacts IRCC with an explanation before the scheduled event, it is to be treated in the same manner as an explanation provided within 30 days following the event. Whether an explanation is received before or after an event, the decision-maker must assess the reason and determine if a new first-time invitation or a final invitation is to be sent.

If an applicant does not contact IRCC to provide an explanation for missing an event, the decision-maker will wait 45 calendar days from the date of the event. The applicant is given 30 calendar days after the event (for online testing, 30 days from the start date of the examination event window) to contact IRCC with an explanation. If no explanation is received:

  • the decision-maker will wait an additional 15 calendar days (for a total of 45 days) and then treat the applicant as a no-show
  • the applicant will then be rescheduled into a new event and sent a final notice, or sent a final notice to submit requested documents

Final notice

If an applicant contacts IRCC to provide an explanation for missing an event or not providing the requested documentation, IRCC officials must make a determination as to whether the explanation is reasonable.

Events

If the applicant is unable to attend due to a pre-planned or unexpected event impacting their ability to attend (such as temporary illness, school exams, work commitments, technological problems or travel), the decision-maker must use their discretion in determining whether the applicant has made every effort to attend the event. If the decision-maker believes every reasonable effort has been made, a new final notice giving the applicant another opportunity to attend may be sent. However, if the decision-maker determines that effort to attend the event has not been made, they may proceed with abandonment.

If the applicant has received 2 invitations and has been advised that failure to attend the final event will result in abandonment, it should only be in exceptional circumstances that they are given additional opportunities.

The applicant should be rescheduled into an identical event and a new final notice will be sent to them if any of the following situations occurs:

  • an event is cancelled or rescheduled
  • the client is unable to attend due to exceptional circumstances such as
    • extreme weather events
    • long-term or recurring illness
    • travel delays with supporting documentation
    • exceptional personal circumstances

Unavailability period

Following a final notice:

  • If the applicant requests an unavailability period, the decision-maker may assess the circumstances of the reason for being unavailable
  • Only exceptional circumstances may be approved for an extension, such as
    • long-term, recurring illness
    • exceptional personal circumstances

Education or travel related to work/vacation is not an acceptable reason following a final notice. If an extension is granted, it must not generally exceed 6 months, at the discretion of the case processing officer or case processing agent, from the date of the extension request.

After an extension has been granted:

  • a final notice must be sent
  • the applicant must be advised
  • a case note must be added in GCMS to reflect this

Requested documents

The case may be abandoned following a final notice if:

  • none of the requested documentation is received after 30 days from the date of the notice
  • an extension request has not been requested or approved

If, following a final notice, only some of the requested documents have been received, the decision-maker must attempt to make a decision on the case with the documentation provided before considering abandonment. If they are unable to make a decision because the requested documents were critical to a determination, then abandonment may be pursued. Every effort should be made to render a decision with available documentation before abandonment is considered.

If an extension request is received from the applicant following a final notice, the request must be assessed by the decision-maker. An additional extension may be provided to the applicant at this stage if necessary so that the cumulative time to provide requested documents is generally no more than 6 months (for example if the applicant was already provided a 2-month extension to the 30-day request, up to an additional 3 months may be provided in a new final notice), at the discretion of the case processing officer or case processing agent. The total time to submit the requested documents should generally not exceed 6 months, and extensions should only be granted when it is clear that the applicant is attempting to obtain the documents and is only prevented in obtaining them due to delays that may be verified.

If 6 months of cumulative extensions have been provided to the applicant:

  • an assessment should be made on:
    • the necessity of the requested documents
    • the likelihood of the applicant obtaining these documents
  • a decision must be made on whether it is reasonable to provide the applicant with additional time, or another means of providing the requested information

A decision to grant additional time or another opportunity should only be made:

  • in exceptional circumstances
  • when there is a reasonable likelihood that the documents will be submitted in a timely manner

It must be necessary to render a decision on an application.

In all cases

If the explanation is deemed unreasonable:

  • the case processing officer or case processing agent must communicate the results of that determination to the applicant through the Notice of Review of Explanation (available on the GCMS T: drive), which will be sent to the applicant with an Abandonment of Canadian Citizenship Application notice [CIT 0543]
  • a copy of the Notice of Review of Explanation and the Abandonment of Canadian Citizenship Application notice should be uploaded to GCMS along with a case note briefly noting the explanation provided and why the case processing officer or case processing agent determined the explanation to be unreasonable (see further details below)

After these pieces of correspondence have been sent, no further action will be taken on the file.

Case processing officers and case processing agents can make determinations on whether an explanation is reasonable or unreasonable for failure to attend an event, and may also invoke abandonment procedures in cases where no explanation is provided. Only case processing officers can make determinations for both failure to attend events as well as failure to submit documents within the time allowed.

In general, applicants should only be asked for documents when they are essential in the decision-making process for their case. However, in some circumstances, a determination may be made to proceed without obtaining the documents, and without abandonment. This includes in instances where:

  • a decision-maker has determined a foreign police certificate is not required
  • partial residence documents have been submitted, and the decision-maker has determined that they have received sufficient evidence without the remainder of the documents

The applicant should always be notified in these circumstances.

In instances where applicants are required to obtain documents from foreign countries, circumstances may change suddenly and may not be immediately apparent, leading to the inability to obtain documentation or to significant delays in attempting to do so. The necessity of the document in rendering a decision on the case should be re-assessed in these instances, and extensions should be provided when documents are deemed necessary and delays can be reasonably anticipated based on knowledge of current events and/or supporting evidence.

If during a Program Integrity Interview or any communication with an applicant it becomes apparent that additional documents are required, the applicant should be advised and be provided every opportunity to begin the process of obtaining those documents even prior to the applicant being sent a written request.

Procedure for application closure in GCMS

Local offices must take steps to close the application in GCMS 30 calendar days after the deadline states in the final file closure notice (request for additional documents) or 45 calendar days from the date of the event in the final notice when all of the following has occurred:

  1. An applicant does not respond to IRCC requests for information or does not attend events
  2. The applicant has not provided an excuse that was determined to be reasonable
  3. The decision-maker’s discretion has been exercised and they have determined the treat the file as abandoned

As part of these steps, a closure letter, the Abandonment of Canadian Citizenship Application notice [CIT 0543], is generated from the T: drive and sent to the applicant, with a copy saved in GCMS. A case note must also be entered providing the reason for file closure to assist the Client Centre if the applicant calls to obtain information on their application.

  1. The case processing officer or case processing agent should create a record for the Abandonment of Canadian Citizenship Application notice [CIT 0543] in Outgoing Correspondence. They need to use the document appearing in Correspondence Attachments to create the abandonment notice through the T: drive. They need to save a copy of the finalized abandonment notice in GCMS. After mailing the letter, they should update the record’s status to “Sent”.
  2. A detailed case note must be entered into GCMS.
    • The case note for applications abandoned because the applicant did not provide additional documents should include the following details:
      • The date the first notice was sent.
      • Which notice was sent (what the notice was requesting).
      • Why the notice was sent.
      • How long the applicant was given to reply to the first notice.
      • Details of any response from the applicant to the first notice.
      • The date the final notice was sent.
      • How long the applicant was given to reply to the second notice.
      • Any additional comments in the final notice regarding the response provided by the applicant to the first notice.
      • Details of any response from the applicant to the final notice.
      • The reason the application is being abandoned.
    • The case note for applications abandoned because the applicant did not attend an event should include the following details:
      • The date of the first event.
      • The date the notice to the first event was sent.
      • Details of any response from the applicant to the first notice.
      • The date of the second event.
      • The date the final notice was sent.
      • Any additional comments in the final notice regarding the response provided by the applicant to the first notice.
      • Details of any response from the applicant to the final notice.
      • The reason the application is being abandoned.
    • If an explanation was provided by the applicant that was not deemed reasonable, the note must clearly outline the explanation provided and why the decision-maker deemed the explanation to be unreasonable.
    • Below are samples of notes providing an acceptable level of detail:

      On (XX date), a notice (input form name) requesting supplementary information was sent to the applicant. Additional information (list the documents) was required in order to make a determination on the application. The applicant was given 30 days to provide the additional requested documents. No response was received. On (XX date), a final notice requesting the additional documents was sent to the applicant. The applicant was given 30 days to provide the documents. As of (XX date), the applicant has failed to provide the requested documents (or “I have determined that the applicant has not provided sufficient reasons for being unable to produce the requested documents” and why). Therefore, the applicant’s application for citizenship has been abandoned due to non-compliance.

      On (XX date), a notice requesting supplementary information was sent to the applicant. The notice explained that additional information (list the documents) was required in order for the Minister to make a determination on the application. The applicant was given 30 days to provide the additional requested documents. A partial response was provided with no explanation for why the other requested documents were not provided. On (XX date), a final notice requesting the additional documents was sent to the applicant. The applicant was afforded 30 days to provide the documents. As of (XX date), the applicant has failed to provide a reason for not submitting the additional documents. The requested documents were intended to assess how the applicant meets the requirements for citizenship. Without this information, the file cannot be properly assessed. As a result, the applicant’s application for citizenship has been abandoned due to non-compliance.

      On (XX date), a notice was sent to the applicant requesting that they attend a knowledge test and document verification interview event on (XX date). The applicant did not attend the event. On (XX date), IRCC received a letter from the applicant providing an explanation for not attending the event, namely (explanation). After reviewing the explanation, (officer XX) deemed the explanation to be unreasonable because (reason why explanation was not deemed reasonable) and sent the applicant a Notice of Review of Explanation by email. On (XX date), a final notice was sent to the applicant requesting that they attend a knowledge test and document verification interview event on (XX date). The applicant did not attend the event. As of (XX date), the applicant has failed to provide a reason for not attending the event. As a result, the applicant’s application for citizenship has been abandoned due to non compliance.

  3. The case processing officer or case processing agent must cancel all eligibility assessments, oath and hearing activities that are not yet at a terminal status as well as the certificate if one has already been generated.
  4. Under the History tab, the case processing officer or case processing agent must update the App Status to “Closed” and select “Abandoned” as the App Status Reason.
  5. After a recommended period of 6 months, the office will transfer the file back to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney (CPC-S) for file retirement. See the instructions on retiring a citizenship application.

Closing an application with an associated concurrent minor application

Processing a concurrent minor’s application when a parent’s application is abandoned

If the concurrent application includes both parents, the minor could obtain Canadian citizenship through either parent, provided that the parent has been granted Canadian citizenship and that parentage has been established.

If the application included only one parent, all efforts should be made to find out if the minor’s other parent is a Canadian citizen. If so, proof of citizenship for the other parent should be requested and parentage established.

If there is no Canadian parent, all efforts should be made to find out if either of the minor’s parents have a citizenship application in progress. If so, parentage should be established by obtaining proof of parentage and the minor transferred to the file.

Abandonment notice

Scenario 1: Where there is evidence on file that the other parent is not a Canadian citizen and does not have a Canadian citizenship application in progress (for example, when both parents are on file and both applications are being abandoned), the following text must be included in the principal applicant’s abandonment notice:

The application(s) submitted on behalf of your minor [child/children has/have] been refused as they do not meet the requirement to have a Canadian citizen parent.

Scenario 2: Where there is no evidence on file and all administrative efforts (meaning a query in GCMS on the other parent) have been made to determine whether the other parent is a Canadian citizen or has a citizenship application in progress, the following text must be included in the principal applicant’s abandonment notice:

The application(s) submitted on behalf of your minor [child/children] could be refused as a result of the abandonment of your application for Canadian citizenship. Please refer to the attached letter requesting evidence that the other parent of your minor child or children is a Canadian citizen or has a Canadian citizenship application in progress.

In this situation, the procedural fairness letter for minors (located in the T: drive) must be included with the parent’s abandonment notice.

Abandonment letter

For applications received before June 11, 2015

Minors under 18 years of age do not receive a separate abandonment letter.

For applications received on or after June 11, 2015

If the minor’s application is abandoned and the minor was between 14 and 17 years of age when the application was received at the CPC-S, they will receive an abandonment letter, and it will be sent in care of the person who applied on their behalf. Minors under 14 years of age do not receive a separate abandonment letter.

Closing of the file

In the event the minor does not have a Canadian parent or a parent who has a non-concurrent application and/or does not provide evidence within 30 days of the date the decision was communicated, citizenship officers will wait an additional 30 days before refusing the minor’s application and closing the file.

Judicial review

In the event the parent files for leave and judicial review of the decision [within the 30-day time frame as set out in paragraph A22.1(2)(b)], the minor’s application will remain suspended under A13.1, pending a final decision of a court on the judicial review process.

A note in GCMS must be entered explaining why the application is suspended under A13.1.

Procedures for closing a concurrent minor application when the parent’s application has been abandoned

The minor’s application cannot be closed before the period to file an application for judicial review of the abandonment decision in the parent’s application has expired or before the final outcome of any litigation resulting from the abandonment of the parent’s application. In other words, the minor’s application can be closed only once the decision on the parent’s application is final.

The abandonment decision on the parent’s application is final when

  • the time limit to file an application for leave and judicial review has expired (30 days);
  • the parent has filed an application for leave and judicial review and leave was denied;
  • in the case where leave is granted, the Federal Court has dismissed the judicial review application, and no serious question of general importance was certified by the judge;
  • in the case where a serious question of general importance was certified, and an appeal was made to the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal has rendered its decision and the time limit to apply for an appeal by the Supreme Court of Canada has expired; or
  • in the case where an application to the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal was filed, either the Supreme Court of Canada has not granted leave or, if leave was granted, an appeal was filed, and the Supreme Court has rendered its decision on the appeal.

Once an abandonment decision has been rendered on the parent’s application and once the judicial review period is exhausted, the minor’s application must be refused and closed in GCMS. The case processing officer or case processing agent should do the following:

  • Update the parentage eligibility assessment to “Failed”.
  • Cancel all remaining eligibility assessments, oath and hearing activities that are not yet at a terminal status as well as the certificate if one has already been generated.
  • Enter the decision of “Refused” in the Final field.
  • Create a new refusal ground under Finalize Application, selection “5(2) No Canadian parent”.
  • Update the record for the refusal letter, which will have already been created in Outgoing Correspondence, to “Generate”. Use the document appearing in Correspondence Attachments to create the refusal letter through the T: drive. Save a copy of the finalized refusal letter in GCMS. After e-mailing or mailing the letter, update the record’s status to “Sent”. This will close the application in GCMS.
  • Enter the case note “Application refused as minor applicant does not have a Canadian parent. Please see application(s) (app#(s)) for details on the minor applicant’s parent(s) whose application(s) has (have) been deemed abandoned(/refused/withdrawn)”.
  • At the appropriate time, transfer the file back to the CPC-S for file retirement. See the instructions on retiring a citizenship application.

Closing of the physical file

For applications received at the CPC-S before June 11, 2015

  • The refusal must be indicated in GCMS case notes. The Case Processing Officer/Case Processing Agent should indicate the following:
    • “Citizenship is not granted”
  • The case processing officer or case processing agent adds the following in the Reasons/Comments area:
    • “No rights: minor applicant does not have a Canadian parent”

Case notes must be entered in GCMS by the delegated case processing officer or case processing agent. For applications received on or after June 11, 2015

  • The refusal must be indicated in a GCMS case note. The case processing officer or case processing agent should indicate the following:
    • “Citizenship is not granted”
  • The case processing officer or case processing agent adds the following in the Reasons/Comments section:
    • “No rights: minor applicant does not have a Canadian parent or leave denied/not granted” (as applicable)

Case notes must be entered in GCMS by the delegated case processing officer or case processing agent.

Returning the file to the CPC-S for application retirement

  • Before returning a file to the CPC-S for application retirement (and reimbursement of the right of citizenship fee), the case processing officer or case processing agent should ensure that all the appropriate steps were taken for abandonment, that notices were sent to the applicant's latest known address (including overseas) and that the steps taken have been documented on file.
  • Applications that are treated as abandoned due to the procedures outlined must be kept at the local office for a period of 6 months in case of litigation or reactivation of the case.

Reactivating abandoned applications

Abandoned applications can be reactivated when it is determined that they were abandoned by a citizenship official in error. Additionally, IRCC may be directed to reconsider an abandonment decision by a court following a judicial review. An applicant may request that IRCC reconsider its decision. If this occurs, an officer has the discretion to decide to consider the request or not, based on the circumstances raised by the applicant. If applicants are questioning the abandonment of their file, the Client Support Centre (CSC) will advise the applicant if information is evident in GCMS or in the case notes.

  1. If the CSC staff cannot answer the question or if it appears an administrative error was made (correspondence sent to incorrect address for example), they will send a referral to the local office (if it has been less than 6 months since the file was treated as abandoned) or the CPC-S (if it has been longer than 6 months since the file was treated as abandoned).
  2. A supervisor at local office or at CPC-S will review the file to determine whether abandonment procedures were properly applied and documented. If the case was abandoned properly, the file will remain closed and the applicant is not contacted. If the supervisor determines that there was an error made in applying abandonment procedures or that the abandonment process was not sufficiently documented, the supervisor must:
    • re-open the case
    • provide detailed notes in GCMS
    • contact the applicant to advise them that their application has been re-opened

Before reactivating an abandoned application, it must be determined whether the right of citizenship fee has been refunded yet. If the right of citizenship fee has been refunded, CPC-S must notify the applicant that they are required to repay the fee before having their application reactivated. Once proof of payment is received, this should be noted in GCMS, and the application can be reactivated. For any questions regarding the procedures for repaying the right of citizenship fee, contact the Citizenship Program Delivery Division.

Note: Some requests to review abandonment decisions, such as those received through the Minister’s office, go directly to the Case Management Branch (CMB). The CMB has the ability to determine, and direct that a file should be reactivated.

Page details

Date modified: