jrbenny

Hello all,i have been through the migration maze and have just received my pr card.My wife is canadian and at present we live in the uk.I have read that when you live with a canadian abroad(not in canada),that this counts as time in canada and goes towards the 3 year out of 5 residency rule.
We aim to move sometime in the future but we have business commitments.

Can anyone help?.

Tangram

Yes it does.

Mikelesley

Sorry to sound daft but what do you mean by "3 year out of 5 year rule" On all our paperwork it states that you only have to be resident in CA for 704 days and this does not have to be consecutive.

jrbenny

Sorry mike lesley,meant 2 years from 5,or 730 days.So that means in effect i am Canada does it?

jrbenny

To Tangram,does this mean then that i can apply for a cdn passport after the required time?

Tangram

I believe so, after the citizenship exam.

jrbenny

Thanks tangram.

JAJ

No it doesn't because the time counts only for maintaining resident status, not citizenship.

jrbenny

Thanks JAJ,i thought as much.As long as i am living oversees though with my canadian wife,i am counted as living in Canada,right?.

Almost Canadian

Only in respect of maintaining residency, the time abroad does not count towards time required for citizenship

Tangram

That's where I was confused.

JAJ

As someone else says, only for keeping residence. Not citizenship.

Bear in mind your wife would likely have made a declaration of intent to move back to Canada as part of the sponsorship process.

Speaking of citizenship, has she got her British citizenship? If not, then now would be a good time for her to apply for naturalisation if she is eligible.