Do I Have to Stay in Canada 5+ Months After I Apply for Canadian Citizenship?

[NANCEXX]

Hi, I'm a Canadian permanent resident. I've been living in Canada since October of 2008. Next year, on March 12 2015, I will be 18 and will like to become a Canadian citizen. But, I might go to USA in August for university education and am planning to travel outside of Canada in July. My friend told me that I have to physically be in Canada during the time period I'm waiting for my citizenship, but my dad said the opposite. Do I really have to be in Canada? If I can leave the country during that time period, will it affect my result? Approximately about how long will I get my citizenship/Canadian passport? Thank you!

 

[thecoolguysam]

Hi, I'm a Canadian permanent resident. I've been living in Canada since October of 2008. Next year, on March 12 2015, I will be 18 and will like to become a Canadian citizen. But, I might go to USA in August for university education and am planning to travel outside of Canada in July. My friend told me that I have to physically be in Canada during the time period I'm waiting for my citizenship, but my dad said the opposite. Do I really have to be in Canada? If I can leave the country during that time period, will it affect my result? Approximately about how long will I get my citizenship/Canadian passport? Thank you!

citizenship process takes around 6 months to 24 months depending upon case to case

Please see the following link to understand what to do in case you are absent from Canada...:


http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/become-after.asp

While we process your application, you should only contact CIC if:

you change your address,
you plan to leave Canada for more than two weeks in a row,
you are charged with a crime or
we do not contact you about your file within the posted processing times.