Canadian PR/US Citizen doing PhD in the US

[beeza]

Hello!

I became a Canadian PR in 2007 and applied for citizenship in 2012. My citizenship application is still pending. I had to go the non-routine route on account of not the best record keeping. I am now residing in the US again but have maintained my PR status. I was supposed to have a meeting with a citizenship judge but was unable to make it--I did notify them. Now I have been admitted to a PhD program in the United States. So my questions are:

1) I previously met the requirements to apply for citizenship so being that I am in a PhD program in the US is a citizenship Judge likely going to deny my application?

2) If I lose my PR status and am denied my application would having my PhD in a few years time help in re-immigrating to Canada?

I truly want to be back in Canada and the only reason I am back in the US is this opportunity to get my PhD. I know there are PhD programs in Canada but the person I want to work under is here in the states and doing my PhD under him would be beneficial. My PhD is going to be in Mathematics.

Thank you!

 

[links18]

Assuming you applied under the old rules, i.e. No intent to reside clause and possibility of getting citizenship based on basic residence rather that strict physical presence, CJ could still approve your application, but it will be a tough road. You will either need to convince CJ you actually met physical presence test and/or that you have had, continue to have and intend to continue to have significant residential ties to Canada. Doing a Ph.D. In the US wont help you on the latter point. You better be prepared to show that you intend to return to Canada as soon as you get to ABD status and no longer have to be on campus.

Now, having missed an already scheduled CJ judge may itself be an issue. What reason did you give them? Have you heard back? Have you checked to see if they will reschedule it or not? How long ago was this hearing supposed to take place? You aren't starting off on the front foot for sure.....

 

[beeza]

I gave proof of conflict with my class schedule and I notified them immediately upon receiving the notice. The meeting was for the end of March and have not heard anything new as of yet but my application status reflects the appointment and still has an in-progress status. I understand that returning to the US doesn't help but it was an opportunity I felt was not worth passing up.

I really do intend to move back, it's where I want to be. I feel Canadian and I love Canada. I even want to renounce my US citizenship. I don't know how I can show them though. I understand doing my PhD here rather than there may not look good but it's not that easy. First of all getting into a PhD program is no easy task. On top of that, there is one professor in Canada working in the area I am going into and they are likely to retire before I finish as they have been a professor for 40 years now. Sometimes a person has to move for their career.

 

[links18]

I gave proof of conflict with my class schedule and I notified them immediately upon receiving the notice. The meeting was for the end of March and have not heard anything new as of yet but my application status reflects the appointment and still has an in-progress status. I understand that returning to the US doesn't help but it was an opportunity I felt was not worth passing up.

I really do intend to move back, it's where I want to be. I feel Canadian and I love Canada. I even want to renounce my US citizenship. I don't know how I can show them though. I understand doing my PhD here rather than there may not look good but it's not that easy. First of all getting into a PhD program is no easy task. On top of that, there is one professor in Canada working in the area I am going into and they are likely to retire before I finish as they have been a professor for 40 years now. Sometimes a person has to move for their career.

Your last paragraph is a case you could make to the judge if the Ph.D. becomes an issue. Right now though, you really need to find out what is going on with the hearing. IRCC probably won't accept a simple schedule conflict as an appropriate reason for missing the hearing. But you need to know for sure. I would contact the call centre and see if they can shed any light. If not, consider contacting your MP. Also, watch out for your PR status. If you really want to be Canadian, I would not miss another appointment--even with cause. If it is something you want, you will need to put it first for a couple of days. Good Luck!