Living in BC, Canada and going to WA for work - citizenship application

[ccaallvviinn]

Hello everyone - I am currently living in BC, Canada, but need to physically go to WA in the US for work 2-3 days per week (the rest of the week can work remotely in Canada). I am a Canadian PR and plan on applying for citizenship once the 1095 days of living in Canada, as well as other requirements, are fulfilled.

Questions:

1. Does the regular, frequent commuting between Canada and US cause any issues / concerns for the citizenship application? By reading through historic posts, it seems that I can expect a RQ (hopefully a lite version). Then, what kind of residential evidence do I need to prepare for? No issues for me to provide lease agreements, BC plated car registration, BC drivers license, child kindergarten enrollment proof, bank statements with regular credit card local transactions, hydro bills, etc. However, do I need to keep all the grocery receipts, especially on my work day of commuting to the US?

2. The job in the US is my only source of income, i.e. don't have any Canadian source of income. Will this pose as a concern to my application, given the fact that I don't have a local employment? For sure, I will file taxes in both the US and Canada over these years.

3. I learnt that, by the time of application, I will have to complete the Presence Calculator online. Per the instruction of the calculator, any day trip, e.g. commute between US and Canada, still needs to be disclosed, although it does not count as one (1) day outside of Canada. As such, in my situation, I will probably have 3 day trips x 52 weeks / year x 3 years = 468 line item entries in the calculator at least, besides other international travels etc. Will this cause any issues? Will the calculator allow me to enter so many data?

Thank you for all your guidance and help!!

 

[abhinavagrawal.jiit@gmail]

Following as I may be in the same boat soon!! However there is a slight nuance in my case i.e. I have already spent 2.5 years in Canada and will work in the US for only remaining 0.5 years out of the total 3 years

 

[GandiBaat]

1. Does the regular, frequent commuting between Canada and US cause any issues / concerns for the citizenship application? By reading through historic posts, it seems that I can expect a RQ (hopefully a lite version). Then, what kind of residential evidence do I need to prepare for? No issues for me to provide lease agreements, BC plated car registration, BC drivers license, child kindergarten enrollment proof, bank statements with regular credit card local transactions, hydro bills, etc. However, do I need to keep all the grocery receipts, especially on my work day of commuting to the US?

Hoo boy! This is going to be fun! My manager once had this situation going back and forth from canada to usa. He used to live in vancoouver and used to frequent to seattle with a helijet flight or something or just drive sometimes.

Now, if you get a nexus card, usually things are easier for you. You can use automated doors to enter USA while crossing the border. He did that.

The biggest hustle was the taxation forms. But then his income was in Canada. Now in your case, you will have to file tax return in canada and usa both. So it will be fun fun fun time doing all the paperwork.

3. I learnt that, by the time of application, I will have to complete the Presence Calculator online. Per the instruction of the calculator, any day trip, e.g. commute between US and Canada, still needs to be disclosed, although it does not count as one (1) day outside of Canada. As such, in my situation, I will probably have 3 day trips x 52 weeks / year x 3 years = 468 line item entries in the calculator at least, besides other international travels etc. Will this cause any issues? Will the calculator allow me to enter so many data?

Yeah. You will have to complete that too... But if it is just two days in usa in a week, it can be fine. 52 weeks, 2 days = 104 days. No biggie!

In 5 years you will spend 104 * 5 = 520 days in usa and remaining in canada thats more than enough to meet residency requirements. Just keep some proof of it in terms of credit card statement, clinic visit or some thing similar.

 

[akbardxb]

Hello everyone - I am currently living in BC, Canada, but need to physically go to WA in the US for work 2-3 days per week (the rest of the week can work remotely in Canada). I am a Canadian PR and plan on applying for citizenship once the 1095 days of living in Canada, as well as other requirements, are fulfilled.

Questions:

1. Does the regular, frequent commuting between Canada and US cause any issues / concerns for the citizenship application? By reading through historic posts, it seems that I can expect a RQ (hopefully a lite version). Then, what kind of residential evidence do I need to prepare for? No issues for me to provide lease agreements, BC plated car registration, BC drivers license, child kindergarten enrollment proof, bank statements with regular credit card local transactions, hydro bills, etc. However, do I need to keep all the grocery receipts, especially on my work day of commuting to the US?

2. The job in the US is my only source of income, i.e. don't have any Canadian source of income. Will this pose as a concern to my application, given the fact that I don't have a local employment? For sure, I will file taxes in both the US and Canada over these years.

3. I learnt that, by the time of application, I will have to complete the Presence Calculator online. Per the instruction of the calculator, any day trip, e.g. commute between US and Canada, still needs to be disclosed, although it does not count as one (1) day outside of Canada. As such, in my situation, I will probably have 3 day trips x 52 weeks / year x 3 years = 468 line item entries in the calculator at least, besides other international travels etc. Will this cause any issues? Will the calculator allow me to enter so many data?

Thank you for all your guidance and help!!

Document your movement without any missing dates. There have been reports here of missing dates from CBSA. You will probably also need travel history information from the US. Yours is not a unique case, many similar experiences have been shared here. Grocery reports don't really mean much - stronger evidence is mortgage documents / rental agreements, bank statements showing transfers from the US corresponding to amounts on your salary slips, letter from your US employer confirming this arrangement.

As far as the application is concerned, be transparent / honest in anything you state - it's as simple as that. If your employer is US based, it is what it is and you are not doing anything illegal.

You can add separate sheets of paper to the calculator. A few month / weeks ago, if I recall correctly, someone who drove a truck posed a similar question. One of the suggestions was to create a similar format in Excel to record your movement. If you have other international travel, ensure your have all pages/all non-Eng/Fr stamps translated on all valid passports during your EP.

 

[philly2013]

Hello everyone - I am currently living in BC, Canada, but need to physically go to WA in the US for work 2-3 days per week (the rest of the week can work remotely in Canada). I am a Canadian PR and plan on applying for citizenship once the 1095 days of living in Canada, as well as other requirements, are fulfilled.

Questions:

1. Does the regular, frequent commuting between Canada and US cause any issues / concerns for the citizenship application? By reading through historic posts, it seems that I can expect a RQ (hopefully a lite version). Then, what kind of residential evidence do I need to prepare for? No issues for me to provide lease agreements, BC plated car registration, BC drivers license, child kindergarten enrollment proof, bank statements with regular credit card local transactions, hydro bills, etc. However, do I need to keep all the grocery receipts, especially on my work day of commuting to the US?

2. The job in the US is my only source of income, i.e. don't have any Canadian source of income. Will this pose as a concern to my application, given the fact that I don't have a local employment? For sure, I will file taxes in both the US and Canada over these years.

3. I learnt that, by the time of application, I will have to complete the Presence Calculator online. Per the instruction of the calculator, any day trip, e.g. commute between US and Canada, still needs to be disclosed, although it does not count as one (1) day outside of Canada. As such, in my situation, I will probably have 3 day trips x 52 weeks / year x 3 years = 468 line item entries in the calculator at least, besides other international travels etc. Will this cause any issues? Will the calculator allow me to enter so many data?

Thank you for all your guidance and help!!

I was in the same situation with some minor differences. I commuted from Ontario to New York instead. Here is my experience.

1) Likely yes. I was not asked for a RQ but was asked for US entry/exit records and needed to file an FOIA request for those records. My suggestion is you keep your travel records in detail. I created a excel spreadsheeet to keep track of my movements for the entire time. I also have an EZ pass attached to my car to pay tolls at border crossings. You can use those EZ pass statements if you drive to check for potential missing entries to Canada or substantiate them as needed. Before you apply, you can request for both US exit/entry records from US CBP and Canadian records from CBSA to make sure. With four sources of documents, it is less likely that you'll miss anything. After you apply, perhaps you can request those documents again to cover the entire eligibility period so that if you are being asked to submit them, you can do it right away.

Also, waiting a bit longer to apply helps, I think. Instead of having just more than 1095 days, having 1,200 or even 1,300 days means even if you miss a few entries, it'd probaly be okay.

I am not sure about other documents you mentioned. I think it doesn't hurt to have them ready. However, grocery receipts seem overdone.

2) My US job is also my only source of income. I don't think they questioned that at all. However, I've had that job since before I became a PR, so there is continuity that you might or might not have.

3) I don't think this'd be a problem. I commuted for my entire eligibility period and I have at least that many, if not more, entries. The problem that you might make a mistake since there are just so many, so double-checking is a good idea.

Good luck.

 

[ccaallvviinn]

Words can hardly express my appreciation to you all for the prompt answers and experience sharing!

I was in the same situation with some minor differences. I commuted from Ontario to New York instead. Here is my experience.

1) Likely yes. I was not asked for a RQ but was asked for US entry/exit records and needed to file an FOIA request for those records. My suggestion is you keep your travel records in detail. I created a excel spreadsheeet to keep track of my movements for the entire time. I also have an EZ pass attached to my car to pay tolls at border crossings. You can use those EZ pass statements if you drive to check for potential missing entries to Canada or substantiate them as needed. Before you apply, you can request for both US exit/entry records from US CBP and Canadian records from CBSA to make sure. With four sources of documents, it is less likely that you'll miss anything. After you apply, perhaps you can request those documents again to cover the entire eligibility period so that if you are being asked to submit them, you can do it right away.

Also, waiting a bit longer to apply helps, I think. Instead of having just more than 1095 days, having 1,200 or even 1,300 days means even if you miss a few entries, it'd probaly be okay.

I am not sure about other documents you mentioned. I think it doesn't hurt to have them ready. However, grocery receipts seem overdone.

2) My US job is also my only source of income. I don't think they questioned that at all. However, I've had that job since before I became a PR, so there is continuity that you might or might not have.

3) I don't think this'd be a problem. I commuted for my entire eligibility period and I have at least that many, if not more, entries. The problem that you might make a mistake since there are just so many, so double-checking is a good idea.

Good luck.

May I ask a quick follow-up question?

Will the self-maintained excel spreadsheet documenting all my entry / exist be solely used as a personal reference tool? Or, it can be submitted, as part of the supporting evidence in the citizenship application, to demonstrate the fulfillment of living obligation? For example, submitting this excel spreadsheet and a personal affidavit to certify the accuracy?

 

[philly2013]

Words can hardly express my appreciation to you all for the prompt answers and experience sharing!

May I ask a quick follow-up question?

Will the self-maintained excel spreadsheet documenting all my entry / exist be solely used as a personal reference tool? Or, it can be submitted, as part of the supporting evidence in the citizenship application, to demonstrate the fulfillment of living obligation? For example, submitting this excel spreadsheet and a personal affidavit to certify the accuracy?

It is a personal reference tool in my case.

IMO, submitting the excel spreadsheet seems redundant because you yourself prepare the physical presence calculator for your application. So in a way, that calculator is a spreadsheet but in their prefered format. Of course, keep your excel spreadsheet in case they ask for it. I personally think external documents such as US entry/exit records from US CBP through an FOIA request are more likely to be requested. Canadian records from CBSA are simpler because IRCC can access them, so it is up to you to request them.

 

[ccaallvviinn]

It is a personal reference tool in my case.

IMO, submitting the excel spreadsheet seems redundant because you yourself prepare the physical presence calculator for your application. So in a way, that calculator is a spreadsheet but in their prefered format. Of course, keep your excel spreadsheet in case they ask for it. I personally think external documents such as US entry/exit records from US CBP through an FOIA request are more likely to be requested. Canadian records from CBSA are simpler because IRCC can access them, so it is up to you to request them.

Thank you very much! What you shared sounds very reasonable and makes total sense. In my case, however, I have US green card (commuter status), and I confirmed with US CBP that green card holder can no longer request access to the US entry / exit records. I guess I will solely reply on the Canada CBSA records and other personal evidences.

 

[philly2013]

Thank you very much! What you shared sounds very reasonable and makes total sense. In my case, however, I have US green card (commuter status), and I confirmed with US CBP that green card holder can no longer request access to the US entry / exit records. I guess I will solely reply on the Canada CBSA records and other personal evidences.

Are you sure that's the case? I understand that I94 records are not accessible for green card holders and US citizens. I believe that green card holders/US citizens should be able to request entry/exit records throught the Freedom of Information Act. Either way, good luck.

Check these out.

https://www.cbp.gov/site-policy-notices/foia
https://www.cbp.gov/site-policy-notices/foia/records

 

[ccaallvviinn]

Are you sure that's the case? I understand that I94 records are not accessible for green card holders and US citizens. I believe that green card holders/US citizens should be able to request entry/exit records throught the Freedom of Information Act. Either way, good luck.

Check these out.

https://www.cbp.gov/site-policy-notices/foia
https://www.cbp.gov/site-policy-notices/foia/records

Thank you! I called the CBP office at Peach Arch / Blaine, WA and was told that, even I can submit a request through FOIA, they are not going to share the entry / exit records, i.e. the request will be denied. I am not sure if it is official or just misinformation from an untrained officer at the border. In your situation, I assume you received the full records from CBP?

 

[philly2013]

Thank you! I called the CBP office at Peach Arch / Blaine, WA and was told that, even I can submit a request through FOIA, they are not going to share the entry / exit records, i.e. the request will be denied. I am not sure if it is official or just misinformation from an untrained officer at the border. In your situation, I assume you received the full records from CBP?

Yes, I did receive full records from the US CBP. Just as a point of reference, I am also a green card holder in commuter status.

 

[Ásti]

Thank you! I called the CBP office at Peach Arch / Blaine, WA and was told that, even I can submit a request through FOIA, they are not going to share the entry / exit records, i.e. the request will be denied. I am not sure if it is official or just misinformation from an untrained officer at the border. In your situation, I assume you received the full records from CBP?

I requested entry/exit records from CBP via FOIA as a US citizen because I wanted to double check dates for border crossings, and I was able to obtain them. My only warning is that I didn't get them back for I think 6-7 months, so they could take a long time to arrive.

 

[ccaallvviinn]

Yes, I did receive full records from the US CBP. Just as a point of reference, I am also a green card holder in commuter status.

I requested entry/exit records from CBP via FOIA as a US citizen because I wanted to double check dates for border crossings, and I was able to obtain them. My only warning is that I didn't get them back for I think 6-7 months, so they could take a long time to arrive.

Thank you both for sharing the DPs and your experience! What were the reasons you guys used in the records requests, if you may share? I am wondering if explicitly stating that I am applying for Canadian citizenship and in need of the records might cause any unnecessary doubts / scrutiny. Much appreciate it!

 

[Ásti]

Thank you both for sharing the DPs and your experience! What were the reasons you guys used in the records requests, if you may share? I am wondering if explicitly stating that I am applying for Canadian citizenship and in need of the records might cause any unnecessary doubts / scrutiny. Much appreciate it!

I didn't provide any specific justification for the request. Here was the text I used in my request:

I am requesting all available entry and exit records for myself [NAME] in the last five years at United States ports of entry by land and air. Here is relevant information about passports and travel documents I have used to enter the US:

[LIST OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS]

The following are possible ports of entry:

[LIST OF LOCATIONS]

I'm not sure if the lack of justification was what led to the delay or if it's just arbitrary bureaucracy (honestly my bet is on the latter). It's also probably worth mentioning that when I trawled through my email to find the above text, I noticed that I filed two requests and never even heard back about one of them.

 

[ccaallvviinn]

I didn't provide any specific justification for the request. Here was the text I used in my request:



I'm not sure if the lack of justification was what led to the delay or if it's just arbitrary bureaucracy (honestly my bet is on the latter). It's also probably worth mentioning that when I trawled through my email to find the above text, I noticed that I filed two requests and never even heard back about one of them.

Appreciate the insights!