Calculation of Days

[Alicat1980]

Hello,

I am about to apply for my Canadian citizenship myself.
- Can I leave the country right after I have sent my application in? (I wish to travel for a year)

- Do I have to count back exactly 4 years from date (eg: 1 May 2013 - 1 May- 2009) or can I just count back four years (eg 1 May 2013 - 1 Jan 2009)

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Leon]

You can leave the country but you are requested to notify immigration if you plan to stay outside Canada for more than 2 or 3 weeks. Leaving the country could make it more likely for them to pull out your file to check if you really had spent the time in Canada that you said you have. If they do, it will delay your application.

You need to count out the past 4 years exactly from date.

 

[ghatot201]

It could lead to a RQ, the current processing time for which is 48 months.

 

[Msafiri]

Hello,

I am about to apply for my Canadian citizenship myself.
- Can I leave the country right after I have sent my application in? (I wish to travel for a year)

- Do I have to count back exactly 4 years from date (eg: 1 May 2013 - 1 May- 2009) or can I just count back four years (eg 1 May 2013 - 1 Jan 2009)

Many thanks in advance.

Pick any day and count back 4 years to the date. Make sure you have a minimum of 1095 days of physical presence in the 4 year window. Apply the day after you have the 1095 days. Its safer to have at least a day or 2 buffer...some people mistakenly include both day of departure from and arrival to Canada in their count - having a buffer takes care of this.

Sure you can leave after application on the presumption the application is complete. The forum has several threads about returned applications upto 3 months after submission for reasons such as wrong version form, lack of required docs, illegible docs etc...if you are gone will you know this? Even if you do and have to re-apply you need to come back and build up the 1095 days again. Depending where these days are in the 4 year window you may have to sit tight in Canada for several months or a year.

For this reason wait until you get your AOR letter with Discover Canada test booklet then you know your application is good. Once you leave make sure you have a reliable mailing address and someone to check your mail. Get ready to return at short notice for a test. CiC can and do RQ applicants at test who have been out the country..if your applications has any RQ flags then the absence post application may just add to this...it should not but it sometimes does.

Happy travels!

 

[mvb]

I had applied with buffer of 10 days.

When I requested the entry records from CBSA, I realized that I missed a one-day trip to States and as many know, couple of my entry dates were missing in the CBSA record.

So if you 100% sure about your travel dates with entry/exit stamps, you can apply on the day, you qualify to apply.

But I would play safer, as CIC is known to slap RQ even when there is small % of doubts!

 

[Halloum]

I will add that, i would not recommend it unless the travel is truly necessary, which may be the case if you do not have a job.

Make sure you have buffer number of days equal to your absences. For example, if you have 10 absences within the 4 years period i suggest you have 11 extra days (regardless of the number of days of each absence). If you have a lot of absences during the four years period, make sure you make it easy for the officer to map the stamps on your passport to your declared absenses- especially if you visited more than one country within the same absence. Also, include translation of stamps not in english or French. Corroborate your absences with convincing evidence (e.g. travel itenraries, baording passes, Border records from Canada, US Borders and your country of Citizensh, pay stubs, etc.).

Further, make sure you call and change your residential address (you won't be able to change it online).

Just in case you are requested, at some point in time in the future, to appear before a judge (and let's say he was not convinved you stayed physically for 1095 days for whatever reason and there are alot of reasons). Ask your self do i have enough ties to Canada? For example, did you obtain the Canadian qualifications that will make you admissible to the Canadian job market? (especially if you were not working within your profession before you leave).

Finally, make sure you maintain your PR status. Safe travels !!