Dereks

Hello experts,
I landed in Feb. 2001, and am currently eagerly anticipating the time when i
can apply for citizenship. My question is, under the new rules, when will
that be.

As I understood the old rules, I needed to be here 3 years, with previous
time here counted as half-days up to a maximum of 1 year. I studied in
Canada from Sep. 1995 to Dec. 1998 and worked here from Mar. 1999 to present
(using work permit until i landed).

Does the previous time still count in the new scheme of things? If so, then
would I be eligible to apply in Mar. 2003? and if not counted, I guess i
need to wait until Mar.2004?

Thanks,
Derek

Jaj

Citizenship rules have not changed at all. So it looks like March
2003. Just be careful you have the full 1095 days - exclude holidays
outside Canada etc - if you apply with slightly less you might still
get it accepted but it would risk taking a lot longer.

Jeremy

    >On Tue, 1 Oct 2002 09:00:33 -0400, "DerekS" wrote:
    >Hello experts,
    >I landed in Feb. 2001, and am currently eagerly anticipating the time when i
    >can apply for citizenship. My question is, under the new rules, when will
    >that be.
    >As I understood the old rules, I needed to be here 3 years, with previous
    >time here counted as half-days up to a maximum of 1 year. I studied in
    >Canada from Sep. 1995 to Dec. 1998 and worked here from Mar. 1999 to present
    >(using work permit until i landed).
    >Does the previous time still count in the new scheme of things? If so, then
    >would I be eligible to apply in Mar. 2003? and if not counted, I guess i
    >need to wait until Mar.2004?
    >Thanks,
    >Derek

bighead

citizenship requirement is presence in canada for 3 years in the immideately preceeding 4 year period, and yes, time spent in canada on legal status is counted towards the requirement as half days up to a maximum of one year...

Andrew Miller

There are no new rules for citizenship - the law remains the same. Only
immigration law has been changed last June and it has nothing to do with
citizenship matters which are ruled by Citizenship Act and it's regulations.

You still need to accumulate 1,095 days (3 years) of physical presence in
Canada within 4 years prior to citizenship application (time before landing
counts at 50% rate and up to a max of 1 year). So, if you were here since 1999
on work permit then providing that you will not leave Canada at all you will be
eligible to apply for citizenship 2 years after landing - in February 2003.

--

../..

Andrew Miller
Immigration Consultant
Vancouver, British Columbia
email: [email protected]
(delete REMOVE from the above address before sending email)
________________________________




"DerekS" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hello experts,
    > I landed in Feb. 2001, and am currently eagerly anticipating the time when i
    > can apply for citizenship. My question is, under the new rules, when will
    > that be.
    > As I understood the old rules, I needed to be here 3 years, with previous
    > time here counted as half-days up to a maximum of 1 year. I studied in
    > Canada from Sep. 1995 to Dec. 1998 and worked here from Mar. 1999 to present
    > (using work permit until i landed).
    > Does the previous time still count in the new scheme of things? If so, then
    > would I be eligible to apply in Mar. 2003? and if not counted, I guess i
    > need to wait until Mar.2004?
    > Thanks,
    > Derek

Dereks

Thanks alot guys, thats great news ;-)


"DerekS" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hello experts,
    > I landed in Feb. 2001, and am currently eagerly anticipating the time when
i
    > can apply for citizenship. My question is, under the new rules, when will
    > that be.
    > As I understood the old rules, I needed to be here 3 years, with previous
    > time here counted as half-days up to a maximum of 1 year. I studied in
    > Canada from Sep. 1995 to Dec. 1998 and worked here from Mar. 1999 to
present
    > (using work permit until i landed).
    > Does the previous time still count in the new scheme of things? If so,
then
    > would I be eligible to apply in Mar. 2003? and if not counted, I guess i
    > need to wait until Mar.2004?
    > Thanks,
    > Derek