pinzo

That would make sense, and usually doesn't affect those already in the queue.

I should probably apply under the new rules....I might get it faster than the current process LOL

ultrarunner

And am guessing that is no joke?

About bloody time too....

thedisappeared

If that is the case then it would be hard to see how the current 320,000 waiting list would be cut significantly in a short space of time. Cutting numbers "a la Theresa May" appears to be the main political drive behind this proposal.

The CIC comparative view states it's currently possible to obtain citizenship with "no requirement that resident be physically present", whereas the CIC residence calculator FAQ #8 states "Only a citizenship judge can determine if you meet the residence requirements with fewer than 1,095 days of physical presence".

This exception case appears on the BBC website with other erroneous information such as the need to "wait six years to apply for Canadian citizenship instead of the current four".

jamesmc

i wonder if the new laws will help expats(working for Canadian companies) driving long distance in the USA as friends have told me its near impossible to receive Citizenship (#of days in Canada).
It seems different call centres and offices cant agree on how to deal with this problem!.

JAJ

The current approach is once you have the amount of residence (3 years), if you are short on days present for this reason alone but have a family/home and tax residence in Canada, you could apply anyway and you'd have a good chance of approval by a citizenship judge. Processing time would probably be much longer but it can be done. Don't wast time calling the different call centres. Use CIC's policy manual, available online, as your reference.

Under the new rules, as proposed, this flexibility may well not be there any longer. The focus will be on actual, physical presence in Canada. You'll need to see the details of the final Act as passed by Parliament, to see if there are any exceptions. If not, some people may need to seek alternative employment if they want to become Canadian citizens.

jamesmc

thanks for the information i shall pass it on .
james

Jim Humphries

Not sure about that. If you apply now you will know the rules. If you wait they may not be to your liking.

akabutter

I'm really surprised that someone who lives in Canada as a PR would not file income taxes. Is this even possible? Or is it referring to children and retirees? Even people on temporary visas have to file taxes, right?

I find these changes perfectly reasonable.

magnumpi

We had to prove income for new PR cards so they get ya some where long the line

flipance

Can't see the point of becoming Canadian, the only benefit is the vote, like that makes any difference. Think I will stay a Brit rather than paying so much to vote.

MarylandNed

You can be a Canadian citizen and retain your UK citizenship. How much are you really saving in the long term if you continue to pay for PR card renewals? Besides, there is more to Canadian citizenship than just voting. Some other benefits of becoming a Canadian citizen:

- your children will be Canadian by descent if they are born outside Canada
- you are free of residency requirements to retain PR status
- you cannot be deported e.g. if you are convicted of a serious crime in or outside Canada
- you can apply for jobs that require Canadian citizenship

orly

Indeed.

"You can never have too many passports". Wise words spoken to me once

SchnookoLoly

My husband will get his Canadian citizenship once he qualifies - it generally makes things easier. He generally agrees, that it's just enabling him to vote (since running for office and joining the army aren't really concerns, hehe), but as a general statement it makes things easier - and not to mention that he's married to a Canadian, will have dual Canadian-Brit children, and is planning to stay in Canada permanently. Having the passport is part of that.

Finally, it keeps doors open in the future. My husband and I did long distance for a few months last year to enable me to qualify for my British citizenship. We were moving to Canada, but I was only a few weeks away from qualifying, so I stayed back. I did feel some connection to the UK - lived there for 5 years, married a Brit, andw ill have dual Canadian-Brit children. Plus, if we ever decide to move back there, it makes my life a lot easier. (I do have an EU passport anyway, but I'm not about to start placing bets on what state the EU might be in in 10 years' time or whatever.) I'm a British citizen now, will apply for my passport later this year once I have a big enough window to be without either of my other two passports.

So yeah, worth getting if you're able to get it, as long as you know all the other responsibilities that go along with it. (My husband has an American passport. That's just a headache.)

MarylandNed

It's not just about the vote (as I stated in an earlier post). I honestly don't understand why people have that view.

Probably the most important benefit of obtaining Canadian citizenship is securing your future in Canada. You can't be deported or refused entry. You free yourself from residency requirements to retain PR and the need to pay for PR card renewals.

For those Canadians who aren't also US citizens, it also greatly simplifies travel to the US and opens up the door to working in the US via NAFTA's TN status.

SchnookoLoly

Sorry, you are correct - I got caught up in some of the previous conversations. Yes, it makes travel and right of abode much easier. It simplifies a lot of things for him, gets rid of the residency requirement, and for a lot of things like mortgages etc it's nice to have a passport instead of just relying on PR. So yes, you are completely correct.