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AKGAZ

Star Member
Feb 3, 2011
73
16
Canada
App. Filed.......
05-07-2024
My question is on the mechanics of completing the online form.

My 5 year eligibility period starts July 1, 2019 BUT I was not present in Canada that day and did not re-enter Canada until Jan 14, 2021.

1) How do I answer ‘Date you left Canada?’ since it was prior to July 1, 2019?
2) How do I fit 18 months of extensive travel into one box of 400 characters?

Thank you.
 
I just did it on the day of eligibility as that's the only date it accepts. That's the earliest date they need info on. The previous is irrelevant. I have a lot of travel outside of Canada and I just did the physical presence calculator online, scanned it and added it to the app. But some of that was because I had forgot to declare out of country visits in the first place. My application is in process now so we'll see how that works but the man I spoke to in the call centre said to do it that way.
 
I just did it on the day of eligibility as that's the only date it accepts. That's the earliest date they need info on. The previous is irrelevant. I have a lot of travel outside of Canada and I just did the physical presence calculator online, scanned it and added it to the app. But some of that was because I had forgot to declare out of country visits in the first place. My application is in process now so we'll see how that works but the man I spoke to in the call centre said to do it that way.
Thanks
1) Intuitively that is what I would do

BUT

2) This period is FROM July 1 2019 “Nominally left Canada” and when I physically re-entered Canada 18 months later on Jan 14, 2021.

I have 18 months of international travel to detail between those two dates. I do not see how I can enter them as separate trips as I never ’left’ or ‘returned’ to Canada. On paper I would just attach a spreadsheet but it must be online.
 
I would call the call center but you can send a webform explaining that. As you're situation is a bit interesting, It's what I'd do if it were me.
 
I'm only doing it from date of PR. Even if you try to enter travel history for the period before date of PR but within the 5 year eligibility period, it won't let you. You will get this error message: "This date must be within a period when you had a valid status as a permanent resident, temporary resident or protected person."
 
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I'm only doing it from date of PR. Even if you try to enter travel history for the period before date of PR but within the 5 year eligibility period, it won't let you. You will get this error message: "This date must be within a period when you had a valid status as a permanent resident, temporary resident or protected person."
That's what I meant. I literally tried as I had been out of the country that whole week when my eligibility period started. But it would not accept any date prior than that date. So it obviously doesn't match on my i-94 but I think they'll account for that, Unless OP is asking for something different and I'm confused.
 
You can always list a travel starting the day your eligibility starts. That's not precise since that would give you credit for the 1st day, but you can add a letter of explanation saying that you did so for system limitation reasons, are not claiming that day and have enough buffer without it. You can also explain the extensive travel there. Also, no need for an entry for each travel between countries that are not Canada. One entry will do...
 
I'm only doing it from date of PR. Even if you try to enter travel history for the period before date of PR but within the 5 year eligibility period, it won't let you. You will get this error message: "This date must be within a period when you had a valid status as a permanent resident, temporary resident or protected person."

Good point, tho’ in my case my PR commenced in 2011 (ie before the start of the 5 year period)
 
You can always list a travel starting the day your eligibility starts. That's not precise since that would give you credit for the 1st day, but you can add a letter of explanation saying that you did so for system limitation reasons, are not claiming that day and have enough buffer without it. You can also explain the extensive travel there. Also, no need for an entry for each travel between countries that are not Canada. One entry will do...
Yes - that would work IFF if I do not detail all the travel (it was all to ‘benign’ countries).
 
I would call the call center but you can send a webform explaining that. As you're situation is a bit interesting, It's what I'd do if it were me.
Excuse this BUT I have not been able to find anywhere to either call or webform (given I have not submiited an application yet). Any pointers would be very much appreciated. Thanks.
 
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Yes - that would work IFF if I do not detail all the travel (it was all to ‘benign’ countries).

Well, you don't need to detail it...
"X months working in country 1, from date1 to date2. Also visited countries 2, 3, 4 and 5 during that time" is more than good enough. No need to give the exact dates for travel between countries outside Canada, IRCC doesn't care. The LOE is mainly for the problematic 1st day you shouldn't be credited for, not what you did overseas.