Applying for citizenship from outside Canada

[byteloser]

Hi,

My son (18) got signed by a German U-20 hockey team this year. He moved to Germany in July 2020 and is intending to return in June 2022. However, there is a chance for him to get a professional contract. He doesn't want to lose his PR status since he wants to return to Canada. For this reason, he would like to apply for Canadian citizenship. Is it possible to apply for Canadian citizenship while he is living in Germany or would he need to apply during one of his home visits?

He became a permanent resident in 2005 and spent the minimum required days in Canada.

Thanks,
Stephan

 

[mrmrtn]

I'm not sure, as I'm just a random person on the internet, however unless he is son of a Canadian citizen (at birth) he would not be eligible for it.
Canada has strong restrictions regarding granting citizenship to people they believe might not stay in Canada.

You're likely better off reaching out to an immigration lawyer. Some give free consultation, which might be your best bet.

 

[armoured]

Hi,

My son (18) got signed by a German U-20 hockey team this year. He moved to Germany in July 2020 and is intending to return in June 2022. However, there is a chance for him to get a professional contract. He doesn't want to lose his PR status since he wants to return to Canada. For this reason, he would like to apply for Canadian citizenship. Is it possible to apply for Canadian citizenship while he is living in Germany or would he need to apply during one of his home visits?

He became a permanent resident in 2005 and spent the minimum required days in Canada.

Thanks,
Stephan

This will be difficult, he should have applied for citizenship before leaving.

 

[BOYX]

Hi,

My son (18) got signed by a German U-20 hockey team this year. He moved to Germany in July 2020 and is intending to return in June 2022. However, there is a chance for him to get a professional contract. He doesn't want to lose his PR status since he wants to return to Canada. For this reason, he would like to apply for Canadian citizenship. Is it possible to apply for Canadian citizenship while he is living in Germany or would he need to apply during one of his home visits?

He became a permanent resident in 2005 and spent the minimum required days in Canada.

Thanks,
Stephan

I presume you have an address in Canada, as implied by “... during his home visits?”. Therefore, I see no issue in applying for the Citizenship grant. He would then use his parents address as a permanent address.

EDIT: Just make sure there isn’t a clause that requires your son to be present in Canada when submitting the application. I doubt there is but I recommend you check to be sure.

Further, he can fill out and mail all necessary documents & photographs to you, where you can mail to Citizenship Grants.

EDIT 2: I believe your son needs to get his photographs from a studio in Canada (for the stamps behind the photos.) Therefore, unless he already has the photos taken in advance, he needs to have them taken when next in Canada. There seem to be a lot of small caveats in your situation therefore I highly advise you thoroughly go through the requirements.

Of course this is given he meets the other requirements to submit the application.

Good luck!