[JAJ]

Originally Posted by Alan2005 I don't think it's unreasonable to finish the landing process and then return to the UK to spend some time shutting down your previous life.

"Spend some time" ... weeks, months? Some people want to take years. Once again, in the past, people just shut down their affairs and moved to Canada.

For some people taking citizenship is a big deal as it will mean revoking their current nationality - ok for brits it's a no-brainer, but if you are from a country which doesn't allow dual citizenship it could be a tough decision to make.

If you have moved to Canada and made it your home and plan your future to be there, why remain a foreigner for the rest of your life just to hang on to a foreign passport?

[Alan2005]

Originally Posted by JAJ "Spend some time" ... weeks, months? Some people want to take years. Once again, in the past, people just shut down their affairs and moved to Canada.

I think the 2/5 rule is very generous, maybe overly and I won't argue against that. However, there are many reasons why people might want to delay: elderly relatives; children at school, etc.

Originally Posted by JAJ If you have moved to Canada and made it your home and plan your future to be there, why remain a foreigner for the rest of your life just to hang on to a foreign passport?

How many brits would give up their passport if it meant no longer being british? I wouldn't, not until I absolutely knew without question that I was here for good with no possibility of ever going anywhere else - and that might not be for 20 years, and even then I doubt it would be an easy decision to make.

[Alan2005]

Originally Posted by JAJ Are you saying you won't be settled in Canada for 20 years? The most important citizenship to have is the country which you consider your permanent home. At least this is the case in most developed countries - in authoritarian or backward nations it may be preferable to retain a foreign passport. Anything extra is a bonus.

No, I'm saying I don't know what the future holds and that I wouldn't give up my british citizenship lightly. Fortunately this is academic as I can (and will) have both. But I do understand why people wish to retain their current c'ship and also live here.

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by Alan2005 I think the 2/5 rule is very generous, maybe overly and I won't argue against that. However, there are many reasons why people might want to delay: elderly relatives; children at school, etc.

Elderly relatives - if this is a concern then you perhaps should not migrate. Children can be withdrawn from school and put into Canadian schools anytime.

How many brits would give up their passport if it meant no longer being british? I wouldn't, not until I absolutely knew without question that I was here for good with no possibility of ever going anywhere else - and that might not be for 20 years, and even then I doubt it would be an easy decision to make.

Are you saying you won't be settled in Canada for 20 years?

The most important citizenship to have is the country which you consider your permanent home. At least this is the case in most developed countries - in authoritarian or backward nations it may be preferable to retain a foreign passport. Anything extra is a bonus.

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by Alan2005 No, I'm saying I don't know what the future holds and that I wouldn't give up my british citizenship lightly. Fortunately this is academic as I can (and will) have both. But I do understand why people wish to retain their current c'ship and also live here.

If one's mindset is that of a temporary resident (despite holding PR) then it's understandable. If Canada is home, then it's not.

[Alan2005]

Originally Posted by JAJ If one's mindset is that of a temporary resident (despite holding PR) then it's understandable. If Canada is home, then it's not.

I guess I just fail the cricket test

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by Alan2005 I guess I just fail the cricket test

Perhaps so. Perhaps not. Long term, I'm not so sure it's a good option in life to live somewhere that's not "home."

Bottom line is that Canada does expect migrants to become citizens and while those who choose not to are accepted, providing services such as PR Card is quite low priority.

[Tuppence]

Originally Posted by JonboyE I don't think they throw too many resources at PR card renewal as the expectation is that after 3 years you will apply for citizenship.

Originally Posted by firefox the problem with that it can take upto two more years to get it

Originally Posted by JAJ Which is still within the 5 year window of the PR Card.

Originally Posted by Zoe Bell Just barely ... You've only got to have spent a few days out the country to be pushing it real close

It's easy to run out of time. We landed end of Jan 2006. I applied at the beginning of June 2009 for Citizenship (not exactly unreasonable to spend 4 months remembering to do it, accounting for trips etc).
We are now 13.5 months later, and my file has now moved from Sydney to Moncton, and no sign of a test invite yet.
So I'm down to 6 months left on my card, and in NS, even after I get the test, anecdotal advice suggests it can be another 5 months to be sworn in.

Of course I'm moving to Ontario in the next few weeks, so that will bugger it up even more (unless they do ceremonies more quickly after the test there).

[el_richo]

Originally Posted by JAJ "Spend some time" ... weeks, months? Some people want to take years. Once again, in the past, people just shut down their affairs and moved to Canada.

And in the past people didn't have the internet, or affordable regular timely flights, or indoor plumbing.

The way we do things evolves, including the immigration process.

Does it really matter that people return "home" after landing to resolve affairs?

[ExKiwilass]

Originally Posted by JAJ If one's mindset is that of a temporary resident (despite holding PR) then it's understandable. If Canada is home, then it's not.

I had that mindset until the past year or so. I knew when I started to actually get interested in Canadian politics ( ) that it was a sign it was time to commit.

I agree with Alan though. If it meant I had to give up my Kiwi passport, I probably wouldn't do it.

[lilybilly101]

Originally Posted by JonboyE You have to look at what the system is designed for. There is an assumption that: a) someone who applies for permanent residence will, once it is granted, come to Canada and live here permanently. b) after three years they will apply for citizenship. Therefore you get a free PR card in a few weeks if you do land and stay here and you don't need to worry about renewing your PR card after 5 years. There is nothing technically wrong with landing then going back to the UK, just as there is no requirement to apply for citizenship, but I think people are being unreasonable in expecting the government to facilitate this when it is clearly not the expected way of a new immigrant.

I guess not that unusual as there are thousands of renewals in need of processing...or so the over worked lady at CIC told me. And I didn't do citizenship as I was jut recovering from applying for my BCCT. Too much paper work kills me! Anyway, not sure what to do from here.....reapply and mark it urgent, wait and hope it arrives, just leave and take lots of ID of BC residency and show intent to leave when relocating to the UK. Hope this makes sense.....baby in arms.....can't type too well.....aaaggghhh......and 30 degrees heat. Help, I'm melting.

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by Kiwilass I had that mindset until the past year or so. I knew when I started to actually get interested in Canadian politics ( ) that it was a sign it was time to commit. I agree with Alan though. If it meant I had to give up my Kiwi passport, I probably wouldn't do it.

Many Australians gave up their citizenship to become Canadian prior to 4 April 2002. That said, it was a little easier because it didn't involve going to the Australian Consulate and signing papers. At the time, as soon as they took the Canadian citizenship oath, Australia automatically revoked their citizenship.

I think it's a little easier to lose citizenship that way as opposed to signing papers.

People from some countries have to provide letters from CIC proving they are not Canadian before being allowed to renew their passports. It is surprising that people tolerate that.

[JonboyE]

Originally Posted by JAJ People from some countries have to provide letters from CIC proving they are not Canadian before being allowed to renew their passports. It is surprising that people tolerate that.

Mrs JonboyE had to give up her Japanese citizenship. If she applied to renew her passport in Canada the embassy would insist on seeing her PR card. No PR card or WP then no Japanese passport.

That said, I understand that Japanese women who have to give up their citizenship to be with foreign husbands can reclaim it if their husbands die before them. I sleep lightly these days.

[jerry brewer]

Hi
Curiosity, using the old......there are no silly questions........

But ........
if your PR card expires, can you still legally work in Canada.

Cheers
Jerry

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by jerry brewer But ........ if your PR card expires, can you still legally work in Canada.

Yes. The PR Card is only evidence of your status, not the status itself. Normally employers want to see your SIN card instead.

BUT - an expired PR Card may not be accepted in other situations where you need to prove your status.