During interview, CIC officials are expected to check for travels (even after filing a citizenship application--note the underlined texts in the following excerpt from "CP 5 Residence", a published guideline used by CIC officials to assess residence):
Indications declared residence may be in question
The following list, while not exhaustive, includes indications that further inquiry into declared
residence may be required. It is important to note that indications alone do not necessarily mean
a case of residence not being met. Their weight and credibility vary and must be considered in
conjunction with all information on file.
— Residence declaration
• Applicant declares Non-Permanent Resident (NPR) time which cannot be confirmed through
immigration documents, FOSS, or stamps in passport and NPR time is needed in order to
meet the residence requirement. (CPC referral.)
• Applicant cannot adequately or convincingly account for time spent within the past four years.
— Previous applications
Applicant had a previous application for citizenship that was refused on residence. (CPC
referral.)
• Applicant had a previous application for citizenship that was abandoned or withdrawn. (CPC
referral.)
— Passport
• Stamps in passport indicate that the applicant has not declared all absences from Canada.
• When coming to write an exam or to have a quality assurance interview, the client’s passport
shows recent entry stamp to Canada or an exit stamp from another country.
• Client presents a new passport but cannot account for passports used during the relevant
four year period, or client is in possession of a new passport issued outside Canada.
• Client is asked to present passport at an exam or scheduled appointment but does not bring
it.
— Immigration
• NCB (non-computer based entry in FOSS similar to a client note in GCMS) indicates that the
applicant travels often, that Immigration has received information that the applicant does not
reside in Canada, that the applicant relinquished or attempted to relinquish permanent
resident status while outside Canada, or that the applicant has lost or is subject to loss of
permanent resident while outside Canada (for example an RX-1 visa was issued).
• An individual has been identified by Immigration as being subject to loss of permanent
resident status in Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act because he or
she did not meet the residency obligation.
— Other indications
• CIC receives a letter or an e-mail from the Call Centre or there is a client/case note in GCMS
indicating information has been received that the applicant travels often or that the applicant
does not reside in Canada.
• The documents appear to be suspicious or fraudulent.
• There is a major discrepancy between the appearance of the signature on the photograph
and the signature on the application.
• The photographs submitted with the application were taken outside of Canada but no
absences are listed on the application.
• The employer phone number not stated on an adult application, the area code for a person’s
employment is different from their home area code, or employer cannot be contacted.
A number of applicants are using the same Articles of Incorporation for Canadian companies
or are listing the same persons as members of the Board of Directors for a Canadian
company.
• A letter of employment is signed by the applicant or by a member of the applicant’s
immediate family.
• A number of applicants are sharing the same residential address, home telephone numbers
or business address, but they do not submit applications together.
• Multiple applications are completed in the same handwriting or typewriting style but are not
submitted together and section 12 of the application form (indicating that someone has
assisted in the completion of the application) has not been filled out.
• There are different handwritings on the application form and Section 12 is not completed.
• The date of application is within times shown as being outside of Canada.
• Work outside Canada is presented as assignment by a Canadian company when applicant or
relative is the actual owner or shareholder of the company.
• The client who has been asked to provide fingerprints has them taken outside Canada.
• Provincial healthcare card is expired.
