ALWAYS go to test or interview with most recent CBSA record of travel

[thecoolguysam]

It may be a bit naive to think that CIC only cares about the 4 years prior to application date. It will certainly raise a red flag if the CBSA report shows the applicant has left Canada, say 3-4 months ago, and hasn't come back yet.

Having said that, we should carry on with our lives like normal and not worry too much about the process. We can't let the "process" determine how we should live our life.

I would like to explain a bit more

CIC considers past 4 years from the date of signature on the application for eligibility for citizenship (1095+ days uptil 1460 days). If the person is short of 1095 days (example 2-10 days), they send a RQ and if they are not satisfied then they send it to the judge for final consideration.

In this forum or anywhere else, I have not come across a single instance where the days spent by a person in Canada after the application signature date were considered by CIC for residency requirement who were short of 1095 days.

In this forum, people have wrote their experience that when they went through test/interview, some CIC officers did not care at all about the days after the application date (I am talking about stamps in the passport after the application submission date) and some casually asked people about stamps printed on PP after application submission date and people have responded accordingly with genuine reasons got their citizenship.

I know the point of concern is when person stays outside canada for many months like 3+ months and only comes before oath could be a potential flag however, if the person has genuine reason to explain about the absence then there should be no issues but again it depends upon officer to officer and their view considering all the facts.(Strong ties to Canada etc)

Even the CIC website says that you can go anywhere outside canada after applying for citizenship:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/become-after.asp
You need to notify if you are going for more than 2+ weeks so that they can put application on hold else the person can miss important mails like document requests, test invite etc.

Here are more details:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=911&t=5


Only one point of concern is when "INTENT TO RESIDE" clause will come into effect, then you have to think twice before going outside Canada.

I hope this explanation helps everyone.

 

[nb8285]

You're not the "Champion Member" for nothing!

 

[arambi]

Guys,
Let's be realistic and practical.
I support the position that EXTENSIVE or LONG TERM travel after your submit your application can get you into trouble and its better for you to be prepared to explain (than to be worrisome and fearful)

Based on the letter of the law today, CO or CJ questions and inquiries should be limited to the 4 years preceeding your application. However, we know, and this is a FACT, that several applicants were questionned on things that do not relate to the relevant 4 years period.

Examples
1-) Do you still work at ABC Company...? Some applicants who answered that they are now unemployed received RQ or were further questionned
2-) Do you still live at XXXXXX? Some applicants who answered NO where issued RQ or were further questionned
3-) Your passport stamp is showing that you just came back to Canada yesterday... how long where you away and why? A lot of applicants got into trouble with this one...

Let's no kid ourselves with the letter of the law and instead be prepared based on the PRECIOUS feedback we are getting from other applicants who ACTUALLY went through the interview process with CO or CJ

Thanks

I would like to explain a bit more

CIC considers past 4 years from the date of signature on the application for eligibility for citizenship (1095+ days uptil 1460 days). If the person is short of 1095 days (example 2-10 days), they send a RQ and if they are not satisfied then they send it to the judge for final consideration.

In this forum or anywhere else, I have not come across a single instance where people who were short of 1095 days, after RQ, if they were referred to CJ because of shortfall of days, the days that the person has spent in Canada after the application signature date were considered for the residency requirement.

In this forum, people have wrote their experience that when they went through test/interview, some CIC officers did not care at all about the days after the application date (I am talking about stamps in the passport after the application submission date) and some casually asked people about stamps printed on PP after application submission date and people have responded accordingly with genuine reasons got their citizenship.

I know the point of concern is when person stays outside canada for many months like 3+ months and only comes before oath could be a potential flag however, if the person has genuine reason to explain about the absence then there should be no issues but again it depends upon officer to officer and their view considering all the facts.(Strong ties to Canada etc)

Even the CIC website says that you can go anywhere outside canada after applying for citizenship:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/become-after.asp
You need to notify if you are going for more than 2+ weeks so that they can put application on hold else the person can miss important mails like document requests, test invite etc.

Here are more details:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=911&t=5


Only one point of concern is when "INTENT TO RESIDE" clause will come into effect, then you have to think twice before going outside Canada.

I hope this explanation helps everyone.

 

[nb8285]

Agree with you 100%.... hence my comment earlier on naivety.