Residence Questionnaire Response

During the processing of a Canadian citizenship application, IRCC may send an applicant a Residence Questionnaire (RQ). This is a detailed form requesting a comprehensive account of the applicant's physical presence in Canada, travel history, employment, residences, and other biographical information for the relevant period. Receiving an RQ does not mean an application will be refused — it means an IRCC officer requires more information to assess whether the physical presence requirement has been met.

An RQ is typically triggered when IRCC's records or the information in the application suggest there may be gaps in the applicant's physical presence record, or when an applicant has had frequent or lengthy absences from Canada. It may also be sent routinely in certain cases.

Responding to an RQ is demanding. The form requires a detailed account of every absence from Canada and the reasons for those absences, a residence history, an employment history, and supporting documentation. The response must be accurate, consistent with the information already submitted, and supported by documentary evidence. An inadequate or inconsistent response can result in a refusal or, in serious cases, a referral for further investigation.

This service includes a thorough review of the applicant's existing application materials, preparation of the RQ response, and assembly of all supporting documentation. There is no government fee to respond to an RQ — it is part of the citizenship processing.