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Citizenship Interview Coming Up! I was outside Canada immediately after applying for Citizenship.

okbangaram

Star Member
Apr 30, 2015
198
47
I have the citizenship interview coming up soon!
I relocated to the US immediately after applying for Canadian Citizenship.
So, been outside for a year now..

looking at the other candidates interview experiences ... looks like they are going to ask why I am staying outside the country.

I am outside the country for work. (H1B) will return back to Canada once I get my Canadian Citizenship to start my own tech company which I cannot do while on work visa in the US.

anyone else in a similar situation? what did you guys tell?
 

dejected

Star Member
Mar 6, 2017
106
50
I have the citizenship interview coming up soon!
I relocated to the US immediately after applying for Canadian Citizenship.
So, been outside for a year now..

looking at the other candidates interview experiences ... looks like they are going to ask why I am staying outside the country.

I am outside the country for work. (H1B) will return back to Canada once I get my Canadian Citizenship to start my own tech company which I cannot do while on work visa in the US.

anyone else in a similar situation? what did you guys tell?
if you have maintained your PR status, you are not to worry about why you are outside Canada.
 

dejected

Star Member
Mar 6, 2017
106
50
Your application can be delayed for a number of reasons not just limited to the fact that you were outside Canada. Besides, it is their own judgment how IRCC believes, perceives and thinks, your application should be looked at and processed. One cannot expect from them to not delay someone’s application. I hope your interview goes well.
Best wishes.
 

lr108

Star Member
May 10, 2023
172
78
I am outside the country for work. (H1B) will return back to Canada once I get my Canadian Citizenship to start my own tech company which I cannot do while on work visa in the US.
You don't need a Canadian citizenship to start your company in Canada. H1B has nothing to do with starting your company in Canada. You can come to Canada even now and start your company. Make sure you have proper explanation. The person interviewing could be quite knowledgeable on these matters!
 

dejected

Star Member
Mar 6, 2017
106
50
I agree with Ir108.
What the questioner posted, portrays he has no intent of residing in Canada and appears to convey the impression that the applicant is just hunting for legal citizenship status in both countries or to say the least whichever could come his/her way. After all, H1B visa is sought for later applying for a green card. So yes, I think the main question is if the applicant is maintaining the PR status and whether he has abandoned this links and ties with Canada.
I am pretty confident, this is the main agenda of the interview.
 
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lr108

Star Member
May 10, 2023
172
78
I agree with Ir108.
What the questioner posted, portrays he has no intent of residing in Canada and appears to convey the impression that the applicant is just hunting for legal citizenship status in both countries or to say the least whichever could come his/her way. After all, H1B visa is sought for later applying for a green card. So yes, I think the main question is if the applicant is maintaining the PR status and whether he has abandoned this links and ties with Canada.
I am pretty confident, this is the main agenda of the interview.
Yeah, I know this because I quit my US H1B and got PR in Canada to start my business which I couldn't do in US.

If that's the interview agenda then he has to have a better/ proper explanation. But I was under the impression there is no law anymore (which was there for a brief period) that could deny citizenship to the applicant if they no longer reside in Canada. Perhaps the interview is for something else?
 

dejected

Star Member
Mar 6, 2017
106
50
I don’t think the question is that of denial. And as you said, the person interviewing could be quite astute in these matters. The main thing that it will boil down to is his PR status till he gets his oath done. H1B is usually for 3 years.
He will be likely facing a question, “What have you been doing in Canada for the three years of physical presence declared on citizenship application? He might be scrutinized in depth (my hunch) and his physical presence would matter a lot.
Dude (okbangaram) you need to prepare very well, and study your submitted application facts and present them as coherent facts.
 

Dreamlad

Champion Member
Jan 11, 2016
1,266
471
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
2171
AOR Received.
08-04-2017
Med's Done....
23-06-2017
I have the citizenship interview coming up soon!
I relocated to the US immediately after applying for Canadian Citizenship.
So, been outside for a year now..

looking at the other candidates interview experiences ... looks like they are going to ask why I am staying outside the country.

I am outside the country for work. (H1B) will return back to Canada once I get my Canadian Citizenship to start my own tech company which I cannot do while on work visa in the US.

anyone else in a similar situation? what did you guys tell?
They put my application on hold until I came back.
 
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lila777

Star Member
Jul 20, 2015
75
20
When I interviewed outside of Canada they did not ask me a reason why I was outside of Canada. They just reiterated that I must be in Canada for the oath. They never asked me what I was doing after I applied for citizenship. Most of the questions where about my physical presence during the eligibility period and jobs during that time.

My application is severely delayed, though, I applied on Feb 2, 2022, in Scarborough. Did my test INSIDE Canada. No updates whatsoever 1 month after the interview. They also lost my passport scans which I sent in January.
 

dejected

Star Member
Mar 6, 2017
106
50
My application is severely delayed, though, I applied on Feb 2, 2022, in Scarborough. Did my test INSIDE Canada. No updates whatsoever 1 month after the interview.
So, this shows that the application could be delayed even if one writes the test from INSIDE Canada.
 

HNJ

Star Member
Mar 20, 2017
65
7
I have the citizenship interview coming up soon!
I relocated to the US immediately after applying for Canadian Citizenship.
So, been outside for a year now..

looking at the other candidates interview experiences ... looks like they are going to ask why I am staying outside the country.

@okbangaram what questions did they asked during the interview. I just finished my interview today. I was also out after applying but for me it was family emergency.

I am outside the country for work. (H1B) will return back to Canada once I get my Canadian Citizenship to start my own tech company which I cannot do while on work visa in the US.

anyone else in a similar situation? what did you guys tell?
 

HNJ

Star Member
Mar 20, 2017
65
7
@okbangaram what questions did they asked during the interview. I just finished my interview today. I was also out after applying but for me it was family emergency.