Dear All,
I am sure most of us here are now due to apply for citizenship.
I applied for PR under the healthcare workers pathway in 2019.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/permanent-residence/non-economic-classes/healthcare-pathway/eligibility.html
Do the days from the Approval in Principle count towards the citizenship?
Or is it only from the date of the actual COPR?
What about the time during which we applied for and withdrew the refugee claims?
What do we make of that time?
Will we be considered a work permit during the refugee claimant time?
I am confused as to how to count the days up to the actual PR.
Hi, this is what chatgpt says, hope it helps:
To determine how to count your days in Canada towards your citizenship application, let's break down each of your questions:
1. Do the days from the Approval in Principle count towards citizenship?
Approval in Principle (AIP): This indicates that your application meets certain requirements but is not final approval. AIP does not grant you permanent resident (PR) status.
Counting Days: Unless you had valid temporary resident status (e.g., work permit, study permit) during the period after AIP and before receiving your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), those days do not count as PR days. However, if you had temporary resident status, you can count those days as half-days towards your citizenship, up to a maximum of 365 days.
2. Or is it only from the date of the actual COPR?
Permanent Resident Status: Your PR status begins on the date you officially become a permanent resident, usually when you receive your COPR and complete the landing process.
Counting Days: Only the days after you become a PR count as full days towards the citizenship physical presence requirement.
3. What about the time during which we applied for and withdrew the refugee claims?
Refugee Claimant Status: Time spent in Canada as a refugee claimant does not count towards the physical presence requirement for citizenship.
Exception: If you were granted protected person status (after a positive decision on your refugee claim), the days from that point forward can be counted as temporary resident days (half-days).
4. What do we make of that time?
Non-countable Period: Unless you had valid temporary resident status (like a work or study permit) during your time as a refugee claimant, that period does not contribute to your citizenship application.
Action Step: Review any permits you held during that time. If you had a valid work permit, those days might be counted as half-days.
5. Will we be considered a work permit during the refugee claimant time?
Work Permits for Refugee Claimants: Refugee claimants can apply for a work permit, but holding a work permit does not necessarily grant you temporary resident status in the context of counting days for citizenship.
Temporary Resident Status: Only time spent in Canada under valid temporary resident status (visitor, student, worker with a valid permit) counts as half-days.
Counting Days: If you held a valid work permit, you can count those days as half-days towards your citizenship application.
6. I am confused as to how to count the days up to the actual PR.
Summary of Counting Days:
Permanent Resident Days: Count as full days from the date you became a PR.
Temporary Resident Days: Count as half-days if you had valid status (up to a maximum of 365 days).
Refugee Claimant Days: Do not count unless you became a protected person.
Calculating Physical Presence:
Use the IRCC Physical Presence Calculator to input your dates and types of status.
Ensure you only include periods where you had valid temporary or permanent resident status.
Recommendations:
Review Your Immigration History: Gather all documents related to your immigration status, including work permits, study permits, and any notices of decision on your refugee claim.
Use Official Resources: Refer to the IRCC guidelines on physical presence for detailed information.
Consult a Professional: Consider reaching out to an immigration lawyer or consultant who can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation.
Key Points to Remember:
Only days after becoming a permanent resident count as full days.
Days spent in Canada under valid temporary resident status count as half-days.
Time as a refugee claimant generally does not count towards citizenship.
You can accumulate a maximum of 365 half-days (equivalent to 182.5 full days) from temporary resident status.
By carefully documenting your time in Canada and understanding how each period contributes to your physical presence requirement, you can accurately determine your eligibility for citizenship.