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Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada

Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada

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Old Jan 9th 2013, 6:39 pm
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Default 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.

Last edited by Greenstriper; Jan 9th 2013 at 6:43 pm.
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Old Jan 9th 2013, 6:53 pm
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Default 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

Last edited by christmasoompa; Jan 9th 2013 at 6:55 pm.
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Old Jan 9th 2013, 7:01 pm
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Default Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada

Originally Posted by Greenstriper
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.
I ca't see anywhere where it states that you have to be in Canada, but you do have to have PR status so will you still have that bybthe time the appliaction is processed? Or maybe it' is your status at the time of application? You would also have to get to Canada at short notice to take the test, and then return for the ceremony. Not much help really am i? I'll get back to sorting out me sock drawer.
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Old Jan 9th 2013, 7:15 pm
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Default 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
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Old Jan 9th 2013, 7:17 pm
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Default Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada

Originally Posted by Greenstriper
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
To maintain a PR status you need to have resided in Canada for 2 out of 5 years.

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.
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Old Jan 9th 2013, 7:23 pm
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Default 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.

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).
It would be very difficult to meet timelines for things like citizenship tests and oaths from outside Canada
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Old Jan 9th 2013, 7:27 pm
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Default 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
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Old Jan 9th 2013, 8:04 pm
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Default 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.
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Old Jan 9th 2013, 11:38 pm
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Default Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada

Hi


Originally Posted by britsnake
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.
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.
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Old Jan 10th 2013, 11:05 am
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Default 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.
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Old Jan 12th 2013, 6:21 pm
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Default Re: Canadian Citizenship from outside Canada

Originally Posted by britsnake
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.
As far as I'm aware, it's theoretically possible to do the 3 years, leave Canada and have a citizenship application in process - but it's a lot harder in practice and I've never seen anyone claim to have done it successfully.
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.
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