Road To Canada Forums

How time flies.

Last week, my wife officially became eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. She became a PR back in April, 2006 but with the fact that she was already living in Canada prior to becoming PR, and then taking into consideration a few out-of-the-country trips we've taken since becoming PR, according to the CIC online residence calculator she is now eligible to apply for citizenship.

The citizenship application is a breeze compared to the spousal PR sponsorship application! The hardest part was getting all the dates right in the residence calculator (I knew keeping all those boarding passes and travel itineraries came in handy!!!)

So the package is now in transit to CPC-Sydney. So once again, after 2 years, I will soon be checking e-CAS again. But at least this time, I can make use of the e-CAS tracker (thanks Matthewc!)

Let's hope for a routine application process this time around!!!

My how time flies! Congrats on this next exciting step - I can imagine that no matter how much time it takes, it will be a much less stressful process compared to waiting for PR.

So, are you saying that each trip out of Canada as a PR counts against your citizenship residency requirement? So we should still keep proof of travel if we eventually want to apply for citizenship?

Hi Robsluv,

Thanks for the congrats. Yes, anytime spent outside of Canada will delay your eligibility for citizenship, since you need to have at least 3 years of physical residency in the 4 years preceding the citizenship application.

Just keep in mind that any time spent in Canada prior to becoming PR will also count as half days towards citizenship eligibility but only up to 2 years would be considered. So this essentially means you could be eligible for citizenship as early as two years after becoming PR (ie. spend 2 years in Canada prior to becoming PR (which equates to 1 year of residency days), and then spending two years in Canada after becoming PR without leaving (to total up to 3 years).

CIC has an online residence calculator that makes the whole calculation easier to understand.

And yes, you may be asked to provide proof of travel outside Canada, so it is wise to keep all records/itineraries/boarding passes/passport stamps/etc.

I also applied for my wifes citizenship in June. She is scheduled for her citizenship test next week. Still 5 more months for me to apply...

good luck all...

Congrats wongn... this is a great step... I found this to be easier than the PR stuff... now i am remembering back when i became a citizen which was almost 15 years ago.

robertkoul Wrote:I also applied for my wifes citizenship in June. She is scheduled for her citizenship test next week. Still 5 more months for me to apply...

good luck all...

Hi Robertkoul,

So that means 4-5 months for the citizenship test if all goes smoothly. When would my wife get notified for the citizenship test if we just submitted her application?

I can't apply until next September. My husband took the citizenship test a couple of months ago. Kind of weird for a native Canadian to do, but he applied for citizenship judge, so he had to prove he knew as much as an immigrant I guess.

I know I'd rather be an e-cas junkie in terms of applying for citizenship instead of waiting for my PR to be approved! Good luck to your wife, wongn. I hope it goes smoothly for you.

I am in my final 2 months now, just waiting for Jan, 19th or 16th somewhere around that date anyhow.

I landed 2 years ago Saturday, but have been in Canada for 4 years now total.

Congrats wongn and good luck to your wife! That must be exciting! Glad to hear you can count time before PR and that the citizenship process isn't as stressful! :)

nice

Congrats Wongn!! Be sure to tell us how much less stressful this time around will be!

I am eligible in January so I'll be back in that boat with you :)

I can apply in March :) But this time there will be no stress! Unless you have not passed the residence requirement or been in jail your certain to get your citizenship.

Hey wongn! Can't believe we're all back to RTC discussing about citizenship. Hope that the wait for it wouldn't be as bad as getting PR.

I hope not too. Since CIC royally screwed up our PR application, I'm praying for a straight forward application this time around!