Business days abroad do or don't count towards 3 year citizenship requirement

[wvg]

Hi All,

My question has probably been asked before, but I coulnd't find the answer right away. My apologies.

I am a PR since March 2009, which was renewed in March 2014. From 1 DEC 2010 until 1 AUG 2012, I have lived abroad with my Canadian wife. I am physically back in Canada since 1 AUG 2012. I am considering applying for Canadian citizenship and I know that one of the rules is that you have to be physically in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) in the past four years. Upcoming 1 AUG 2015, this would indeed be 3 years for me.

However, I have also travelled abroad for business and holidays during those 3 years. Holidays with my wife, business on my own. In total 260 days outside Canada.

My question is: are these 260 days subtracted from the 1,095 days, despite the fact that my life is in Canada (work, house, taxes, family, etc)? So, in other words, if that would be true, you have to be physically in Canada for literally at least 1,095 days, and I can't apply for citizenship until, give and take, 1 April 2016 (1 AUG 2015 + 260/30 days [8 months])?

Thanks in advance!
KR,
William

 

[thecoolguysam]

Welcome to the forum.

The current rule states that you have to have 1095 days of physical presence and basic presence.

Please read the following link:

https://eservices.cic.gc.ca/rescalc/redir.do?redir=faq

 

[torontosm]

Hi All,

My question has probably been asked before, but I coulnd't find the answer right away. My apologies.

I am a PR since March 2009, which was renewed in March 2014. From 1 DEC 2010 until 1 AUG 2012, I have lived abroad with my Canadian wife. I am physically back in Canada since 1 AUG 2012. I am considering applying for Canadian citizenship and I know that one of the rules is that you have to be physically in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) in the past four years. Upcoming 1 AUG 2015, this would indeed be 3 years for me.

However, I have also travelled abroad for business and holidays during those 3 years. Holidays with my wife, business on my own. In total 260 days outside Canada.

My question is: are these 260 days subtracted from the 1,095 days, despite the fact that my life is in Canada (work, house, taxes, family, etc)? So, in other words, if that would be true, you have to be physically in Canada for literally at least 1,095 days, and I can't apply for citizenship until, give and take, 1 April 2016 (1 AUG 2015 + 260/30 days [8 months])?

Thanks in advance!
KR,
William

Days spent outside of Canada, whether on business or holiday, will not count towards your citizenship time. Moreover, as I'm sure you know, the citizenship requirements were amended last year, and in all likelihood will be fully implemented by July 1st. One of the changes stipulates that you will have to physically be present in Canada for 4 years prior to being eligible to apply for citizenship. As a result, you may have to wait until April 2017 to apply, assuming you don't leave Canada between now and then.

 

[wvg]

Hi,

Thank you very much for the quick and clear explanation. Yes, I am aware of the new rules, but didn't know that it will probably be passed in JUL. Not a big deal, just be a PR for a few more years

Thanks again & KR,
William