Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
#1
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Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
Hi everyone
Do you know if it is possible to apply for Canadian citizenship from outside Canada? We lived in BC from October 2008 until June 2012 but are now back in the UK.
We would very much like to still get our Canadian citizenship but do not have an address in Canada - will that be a problem? I have looked on the official website for applying for citizenship, but cannot find an answer.
Any help very gratefully received!!
Many thanks, Louise
Sorry, should have said, we have permanent resident status and had this on landing in Oct 2008.
Do you know if it is possible to apply for Canadian citizenship from outside Canada? We lived in BC from October 2008 until June 2012 but are now back in the UK.
We would very much like to still get our Canadian citizenship but do not have an address in Canada - will that be a problem? I have looked on the official website for applying for citizenship, but cannot find an answer.
Any help very gratefully received!!
Many thanks, Louise
Sorry, should have said, we have permanent resident status and had this on landing in Oct 2008.
Last edited by Greenstriper; Jan 9th 2013 at 6:43 pm.
#2
Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
It is possible, but you need to have spent at least 3 years out of the previous 4 in Canada and you would need a Canadian address.
Presume you're planning on moving back then if you want citizenship? As another thing to consider would be the short notice given for the test date and oath ceremony - sometimes only a week or two.
But assuming you'd be back in Canada by then anyway, it wouldn't be an issue. This wiki article may help - http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Canadi...ng_application
Presume you're planning on moving back then if you want citizenship? As another thing to consider would be the short notice given for the test date and oath ceremony - sometimes only a week or two.
But assuming you'd be back in Canada by then anyway, it wouldn't be an issue. This wiki article may help - http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Canadi...ng_application
Last edited by christmasoompa; Jan 9th 2013 at 6:55 pm.
#3
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
Hi everyone
Do you know if it is possible to apply for Canadian citizenship from outside Canada? We lived in BC from October 2008 until June 2012 but are now back in the UK.
We would very much like to still get our Canadian citizenship but do not have an address in Canada - will that be a problem? I have looked on the official website for applying for citizenship, but cannot find an answer.
Any help very gratefully received!!
Many thanks, Louise
Sorry, should have said, we have permanent resident status and had this on landing in Oct 2008.
Do you know if it is possible to apply for Canadian citizenship from outside Canada? We lived in BC from October 2008 until June 2012 but are now back in the UK.
We would very much like to still get our Canadian citizenship but do not have an address in Canada - will that be a problem? I have looked on the official website for applying for citizenship, but cannot find an answer.
Any help very gratefully received!!
Many thanks, Louise
Sorry, should have said, we have permanent resident status and had this on landing in Oct 2008.
#4
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Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
Ah - I thought it was 3 years out of 5 to maintain PR status - is that incorrect?
We are thinking of returning but not until maybe summer 2014 so we would have been away for 2 years, resident for 3 prior to that.
We do not have a Canadian address as we sold up when we moved back - is there any way around that? Could we rent a PO box and do it that way or do you have to not only have an address but provide proof that you actually live there?
Thanks so much for your help! Louise
We are thinking of returning but not until maybe summer 2014 so we would have been away for 2 years, resident for 3 prior to that.
We do not have a Canadian address as we sold up when we moved back - is there any way around that? Could we rent a PO box and do it that way or do you have to not only have an address but provide proof that you actually live there?
Thanks so much for your help! Louise
#5
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Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
Ah - I thought it was 3 years out of 5 to maintain PR status - is that incorrect?
We are thinking of returning but not until maybe summer 2014 so we would have been away for 2 years, resident for 3 prior to that.
We do not have a Canadian address as we sold up when we moved back - is there any way around that? Could we rent a PO box and do it that way or do you have to not only have an address but provide proof that you actually live there?
Thanks so much for your help! Louise
We are thinking of returning but not until maybe summer 2014 so we would have been away for 2 years, resident for 3 prior to that.
We do not have a Canadian address as we sold up when we moved back - is there any way around that? Could we rent a PO box and do it that way or do you have to not only have an address but provide proof that you actually live there?
Thanks so much for your help! Louise
To apply for citizenship you need to have resided in Canada for 3 out of 4 years.
If you need to renew your PR card before you've been out of the country for too long.
#6
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Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
If you check section 4 of the consular manual http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resourc...p/cp17-eng.pdf
It says that adult applicants are expected to be resident in Canada.
It would be very difficult to meet timelines for things like citizenship tests and oaths from outside Canada
It says that adult applicants are expected to be resident in Canada.
4. Roles and responsibilities
For clients outside Canada, consular missions provide general information and case specific information on citizenship certificate (proof) and renunciation applications. Consular missions accept citizenship certificate and renunciation applications on behalf of CIC, forward completed applications to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia (CPC Sydney), do follow-ups with clients where required and provide country specific expertise, especially with regard to document authenticity.
Questions on adoption applications and statelessness grant applications should be referred to visa offices.
Adult grant applicants are expected to reside in Canada and no service is provided to these applicants outside Canada.
Subsection 20(1) of the Regulations authorizes consular and visa officers to administer the oath of citizenship to persons outside Canada who have been granted citizenship under sections A5(2) (minor grant), A5(4) (discretionary grant) and A11(1) (resumption).
For clients outside Canada, consular missions provide general information and case specific information on citizenship certificate (proof) and renunciation applications. Consular missions accept citizenship certificate and renunciation applications on behalf of CIC, forward completed applications to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia (CPC Sydney), do follow-ups with clients where required and provide country specific expertise, especially with regard to document authenticity.
Questions on adoption applications and statelessness grant applications should be referred to visa offices.
Adult grant applicants are expected to reside in Canada and no service is provided to these applicants outside Canada.
Subsection 20(1) of the Regulations authorizes consular and visa officers to administer the oath of citizenship to persons outside Canada who have been granted citizenship under sections A5(2) (minor grant), A5(4) (discretionary grant) and A11(1) (resumption).
#7
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Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
Ah, thank you guys.
It is not the news I was hoping for, but sadly it is the news that I was expecting - oh well!
Just have to decide if we're going back or not sooner rather than later - easier said than done with two kids settled in school.
Thanks, Louise
It is not the news I was hoping for, but sadly it is the news that I was expecting - oh well!
Just have to decide if we're going back or not sooner rather than later - easier said than done with two kids settled in school.
Thanks, Louise
#8
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Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
The bottom line is that you can apply, but you would need to be resident in Canada for them to grant you Citizenship.
They expect you to have 3 years out of 4 not just at the time of application but at the time citizenship is granted.
It is possible to be granted Citizenship even if you have not maintained the 1095 days if you can prove that you regularly, normally or customarily live in Canada or your centralized mode of existence is in Canada. In your case they would probably issue you with a Residency Questionaire or require you to meet with a Citizenship judge and from what you say you have most probably broken your ties to Canada.
If you were returning June 2013 rather than in 2014 apply otherwise you are likely to have problems.
They expect you to have 3 years out of 4 not just at the time of application but at the time citizenship is granted.
It is possible to be granted Citizenship even if you have not maintained the 1095 days if you can prove that you regularly, normally or customarily live in Canada or your centralized mode of existence is in Canada. In your case they would probably issue you with a Residency Questionaire or require you to meet with a Citizenship judge and from what you say you have most probably broken your ties to Canada.
If you were returning June 2013 rather than in 2014 apply otherwise you are likely to have problems.
#9
Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
Hi
1. Except that these days, CJ will not use KOO, which you have quoted, but will go by 1095 physical days of residence in the 4 years prior to the date you applied.
The bottom line is that you can apply, but you would need to be resident in Canada for them to grant you Citizenship.
They expect you to have 3 years out of 4 not just at the time of application but at the time citizenship is granted.
It is possible to be granted Citizenship even if you have not maintained the 1095 days if you can prove that you regularly, normally or customarily live in Canada or your centralized mode of existence is in Canada. In your case they would probably issue you with a Residency Questionaire or require you to meet with a Citizenship judge and from what you say you have most probably broken your ties to Canada.
If you were returning June 2013 rather than in 2014 apply otherwise you are likely to have problems.
They expect you to have 3 years out of 4 not just at the time of application but at the time citizenship is granted.
It is possible to be granted Citizenship even if you have not maintained the 1095 days if you can prove that you regularly, normally or customarily live in Canada or your centralized mode of existence is in Canada. In your case they would probably issue you with a Residency Questionaire or require you to meet with a Citizenship judge and from what you say you have most probably broken your ties to Canada.
If you were returning June 2013 rather than in 2014 apply otherwise you are likely to have problems.
#10
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Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
You are right in that this has been the way it was previously been dealt with, but the situation regarding citizenship is changing in Canada and the federal government has tightened up the processing of citizenship applications.
#11
Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Canadi...ng_application
I would expect that in the next year or two, we could see legislative changes such as an increase to 5 years residence and a requirement that applicants intend to remain in Canada after becoming citizens.