Confused ! Leon, PMM please reply

[FinProf]

Hi,

I had landed in July 2007 and since then I only went outside Canada once for two months. Now I was planning to file my case of citizenship but have few queries.

1 - For first 14 months I lived with my child hood friend in Brampton. So I do not have any rent receipts, no bank transactions etc although had a bank account but did not used it.

2- For first 18 months I did job on cash (I.e no tax return filed)

3- I lost my passport after 8 months and got a new one from embassy after 12 months.

Now my question is that although I have stayed for 3 years in Canada I can’t prove that I was here for first 12 months. I can provide the tax returns and rent agreements for remaining period. What is your advice should I file my citizenship or wait?

As it takes around 13 to 14 months for citizenship test, so by the time my test date comes I would have lived in Canada for more than 4 years and can provide documentary evidence of last 3 years but will it work?

What are the chances and what if they refuse at the test date can I still apply again.

Thanks

 

[Leon]

I was never asked to prove anything for my citizenship application. I just filled out the forms, sent them in and waited. When I went to the exam, I had to show my passport and landing papers. That was it.

 

[tran]

Hi Leon,

When you are referring to landing papers, are you referring to the COPR?
My COPR is still attached to my passport; I landed on 26th Aug.2010
at Vancouver Intl. Airport.

Am I suppose to detach the COPR from my passport, and keep it
in a safe place for future reference(e.g. citizenship application)?
Thanks

 

[FinProf]

Thanks,

But in my case i have lost my passport so can this create any problem

 

[Leon]

Tran, keep your COPR in a safe place. It is an original document.

FinProf, if you lost the COPR along with your passport, you can order a copy of it from immigration, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english//information/applications/certcopy.asp
If you show up at the exam without your COPR, they will still let you take the exam but you will need to order the copy before you can do your oath so you might as well order it beforehand to save yourself the trouble of doing it then.

 

[tran]

Thanks Leon, appreciate it.

 

[FinProf]

Thanks Leon.

1) What are the chances of getting RQ in my case (i.e Lost passport)
2) At what stage RQ is issued (i.e at application processing stage or at the time of test)

Thanks again

 

[timster]

I am about to apply for citizenship and have the following questions:

1. My PR card will expire in exactly a year from now. I am in the process of sending application for citizenship. I hope, I get the interview before my PR expires but, My Question is: Since application for citizenship takes a year or longer: Will I need a valid PR card when and if I am called for an interview for citizenship or not. What if by then, my PR has expired by a month or two, will I still be able to get the citizenship with expired card in my hand or not. How does that work, please, explain options if card will be expired.

2. The application for citizenship requires work history for the past 4 years. My partner and I have filed joined tax return but I haven't worked on the books. So, what do I do in this case. When will they ask me to submit actual tax returns.

3. I have heard that I need a letter from a professional an engineer/doctor or someone else to obtain citizenship. How does that work, please explain


Thanks

 

[Leon]

1. My PR card will expire in exactly a year from now. I am in the process of sending application for citizenship. I hope, I get the interview before my PR expires but, My Question is: Since application for citizenship takes a year or longer: Will I need a valid PR card when and if I am called for an interview for citizenship or not. What if by then, my PR has expired by a month or two, will I still be able to get the citizenship with expired card in my hand or not. How does that work, please, explain options if card will be expired.

2. The application for citizenship requires work history for the past 4 years. My partner and I have filed joined tax return but I haven't worked on the books. So, what do I do in this case. When will they ask me to submit actual tax returns.

3. I have heard that I need a letter from a professional an engineer/doctor or someone else to obtain citizenship. How does that work, please explain

1. Your PR card is no absolute proof of PR status. You are still PR after your card expires.

2. I did not have to submit tax returns for citizenship. Is this something new? If you haven't worked, write in your work history that you haven't worked.

3. Where did you hear that? Have you actually read the instructions at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/adults.asp ? Does it mention anywhere in there that you need such a letter? If it doesn't, then you do not need one. At a later stage when you apply for a passport, you do however need a guarantor, but it can be any Canadian citizen who has a passport. I got a co-worker to be mine.

1) What are the chances of getting RQ in my case (i.e Lost passport)
2) At what stage RQ is issued (i.e at application processing stage or at the time of test)

1) I do not know what the chances are.
2) Should happen at the processing stage if it happens.

 

[PMM]

Hi

1. Your PR card is no absolute proof of PR status. You are still PR after your card expires.

2. I did not have to submit tax returns for citizenship. Is this something new? If you haven't worked, write in your work history that you haven't worked.

3. Where did you hear that? Have you actually read the instructions at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/adults.asp ? Does it mention anywhere in there that you need such a letter? If it doesn't, then you do not need one. At a later stage when you apply for a passport, you do however need a guarantor, but it can be any Canadian citizen who has a passport. I got a co-worker to be mine.


1) I do not know what the chances are.
2) Should happen at the processing stage if it happens.

There is a good chance the OP is going to get an RQ as s/he is applying with almost exactly 3 years residency. No proof of his existence for the first 14-18 months in Canada and a lost passport.

 

[FinProf]

Thanks Leon & PMM

1) I can manage photocopy of lost passport, will it be fine??

2) As per my information the copies of passport and other proof of residence are not submitted at the time of application. is it right. When actually these documents are required. I am asking this because should i take the risk and submit the application or wait for one more year.

Will appreciate your expert advice.

 

[timster]

when applying for citizenship, when do they ask to prove addresses and work history, is it at the time of interview, before that..or when?????

if anybody can explain when i will be required to submit the prove, and is it always that they ask for it, or one can go straight to the ceremony

 

[Leon]

They do not always ask for proof. I was not asked for any proof but my history was very straight forward. I had only one employer the whole time and I had spent very little time outside Canada. If they have doubts about you having met your residency requirements for citizenship, they can send you a residency questionaire and then you will have to provide some proof of having actually lived in Canada as much as you say you did. I do not know how common it is to get one. I suppose if you are close to the limit with your days spent in Canada or if you have lost your passport, that could be a reason why they'd ask.

If they do ask for proof, I believe they would do it at the processing stage. If they have no questions during processing, you go to the exam and if you pass the exam, you will get the ceremony.

 

[angelbrat]

@ Leon

From what you have written, it sounds to me that they could easily check your tax returns for the period, thus they didn't need additional proof from you.

If, however as the OP states, the first 18 months in Canada, he has no record of being here, then he is going to be asked questions.

This is going to hard for him to answer, as he will then have to admit he was working without paying any tax etc.

Personally, if i was the OP I would wait longer, until he has full legal proof of his residency obligation.