KerinaK2008

I do not know if anyone else that is hoping to head back has ever felt like this. My PR expires early next year and it is time to make that decision to either renew or gain citizenship.

I know long term gaining Canadian citizenship will be the best option because my son is Canadian and I always want the option of coming back if we ever need to in the future.

However for some reason I am really nervous about applying for the citizenship. I feel like would be giving up my British Citizenship even though that would not be the case. I am also still so disconnected to Canada so it seems like such a hard thing to do.

I keep thinking maybe i should just renew my PR. But I am worried I might regret it later.

Has anyone else ever felt like this? Any advice?

Jerseygirl

Speaking as a Brit who also has US citizenship and is having a difficult time getting a Canadian Visa...I would get Canadian citizenship while you can.

Our daughter lives in Toronto it would be nice to have the option to live in the same country.

curleytops

Hi Kerina, I felt exactly the way you do. My advice would be to bite the bullet and go for citizenship. You're not giving anything up by doing so - just see it as a tool for keeping your options open (having the choice to live in either country) and an invite to the polling booth come election day. This attitude may be frowned upon by some but we can't change who we really are. Trust me, in the long run you won't feel any less British and any collywobbles you might feel on ceremony day won't last - mine didn't.

happyglow

I feel for you. No such doubts here; anyone want to buy a maple card? You can have it for ten quid

I have zero interest in going back to live in Canada, hardly even think about the place, though I would like to have brought a few hummingbirds with me

Good luck in making your decision.....

BristolUK

But that'll only be good for five years and won't be renewable unless you spend a significant period in Canada during that 5 years. If you're back in the UK I suppose that's unlikely.

I don't imagine I'll return to the UK but I have no intention of taking Canadian citizenship. I wouldn't think twice in your situation though.

scot47

I cannot see why you are nervous about this. Why not take Canadian citizenship ? You will remain a citizen of the UK ! You even get to keep the same monarch !

What is wrong with dual nationality ?

dbd33

I took the Canadian citizenship, it seemed harmless to me and, in fact, nothing bad resulted. It's always better to have more options.

Jerseygirl

Given that your son is in Canada I would absolutely get citizenship before you leave. My daughter lives in Toronto and now hubby is retired we would like to move to Canada...

feelbritish

I would definitely get the citizenship! No one can predict their lives 20 years from now and it gives you the option of spending time with your son and his family without worrying about emigration etc. I am glad I got citizenship even though we are contemplating moving back to UK. I must say I never really felt "Canadian" either. but who cares, the world is so much closer now with people having in some cases more than dual citizenship because they were born elsewhere. Go for it! Just make sure when you move you sort out the tax angle!

Zen10

Not at all. I applied for and got Australian citizenship without any nerves at all. I was excited to do it and I am proud to be Australian, as well as British. We want the same citizenship as our children, for obvious reasons, and also if we choose to leave Australia in the future we will always have a home here.

Enjoy the ceremony!

feelbritish

I must add that it is a very moving ceremony

Editha

I've just renewed my PR. I'm returning to the UK next year and so I decided against citizenship. But, I'm quite certain that I won't be returning. In your case I think I'd take out citizenship.

colchar

My parents came here from Scotland 40 years ago but have never taken out Canadian citizenship. If you want to do it go ahead, if you don't that is fine too.

adele

Note the current posted processing times:

Citizenship: 25-35 months
PR card renewal: 106 calendar days

I applied for Canadian citizenship in April 2012 and received a residence questionnaire in June 2013, so it could easily be up to another 1.5 years before I obtain citizenship.

My PR card expires on 1 Feb 2014. I have just applied to renew it.

You might as well send off for both now - it pays to plan ahead!

lf1

I was also reluctant to obtain my CC. However, as a resident and tax payer I wanted the right to vote, so went through the process. In your circumstances I would do it as it will make things easier in the future.