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Came very close to applying for Citizenship and then This...

Frank Thomas

Full Member
Apr 15, 2019
49
0
I was wondering if there could be any hope at all for someone in my situation to be considered at all to be able to apply for Canadian citizenship.

I became a landed immigrant/PR in 2015 and was in and out of Canada for short stays between 2015 and 2016. In the summer of 2018, I moved to Canada and have been able to accumulate at 800+ days in the country.

In the spring of 2021, I would have accumulated 1,008 days within the territory and I was hoping to be able to do a little more than 1,095 days to qualify to apply for citizenship although they would have to subtract the 13 years I spent in my country last year from the grand total.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen personal family issues, I have to return to my country on a permanent basis by the time I would have accumulated the 1,008 days and it is very unlikely that I would be able to return to Canada again to live in the country based on the personal reasons I mentioned above.

It is quite painful to have come so far and then lose everything. Is there any option for a person in my situation to have any hope at all to apply for Canadian citizenship under any sort of clemency or compassionate circumstances? I know the chances are extremely slim since the rules to everyone are straight forward with regards to the number of days in which applicants need to be present in the country to qualify to apply and predictably, the response will be:

“We can’t change the rules for just one person because if we do for one, we’ll have to do for all.”

My finances are also very tight and I don’t want to waste my limited finances asking for help or guidance from any immigration lawyer, because no lawyer ever admits to their clients that they have a bad case. All they see is money.
 

Gemini020

Hero Member
Oct 11, 2015
343
71
I don't think there is need to lose everything. Assuming you have a fairly recent PR card and can be in Canada for 730 days in the next 5 years you can stay a PR. Then once you hit the 1095 you can apply for citizenship, assuming that doesn't change
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,300
8,894
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen personal family issues, I have to return to my country on a permanent basis by the time I would have accumulated the 1,008 days and it is very unlikely that I would be able to return to Canada again to live in the country based on the personal reasons I mentioned above.

It is quite painful to have come so far and then lose everything. Is there any option for a person in my situation to have any hope at all to apply for Canadian citizenship under any sort of clemency or compassionate circumstances?
No, as far as I am aware there would be no basis to ask for and obtain citizenship if you leave and do not return to reside before you get the required days and apply for / receive citizenship.

As noted, this does not mean losing PR status, that's a separate status/process.

I know the chances are extremely slim since the rules to everyone are straight forward with regards to the number of days in which applicants need to be present in the country to qualify to apply and predictably, the response will be:

“We can’t change the rules for just one person because if we do for one, we’ll have to do for all.”
It is pointless to ask for an exemption unless you know exactly what basis (in law) you would be asking for. Those exceptions are extremely limited (check the law, I beleive only for things such as military service etc).

Note, the citizenship requirements are strict with few exceptions precisely because PR status is effectively permanent (or close to it).
 

Frank Thomas

Full Member
Apr 15, 2019
49
0
I thank you guys so much for your responses. I hope to get my new PR card before I travel out of Canada next year, but the chances of me returning to Canada again to live are very slim. I probably will only be able to travel on vacation with my family to Canada once in a while and then end up renouncing the PR status at some point before the card expires. I have a family situation to deal with which will not give me much flexibility