I am a Canadian citizen but I do not have a proof of citizenship

[fidzei]

I was born outside of Canada for a Canadian father. I am holding the Syrian citizenship for now. Can I travel to Canada on any kind of visas and then apply for a citizenship proof? Or I must wait till I get my citizenship certificate? ?
PS/I have to leave to Canada as soon as possible because of the war that's going on in Syria. I am considered a Syrian refugee in Turkey for now. What should I do?

 

[beauhoe]

Dear friend,
Do you have a Canadian birth certificate? If yes please apply for proof and get one from here: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=916869
You may also discuss your situation with refugee organization in Turkey.
Hope this helps.
Cheers

 

[fidzei]

Dear friend,
Do you have a Canadian birth certificate? If yes please apply for proof and get
You may also discuss your situation with refugee organization in Turkey.
Hope this helps.
Cheers

Thanks for replying my friend. Unfortunately I do not have a canadian birth certificate cuz I was born and raised in Syria. I just have my father's canadian citizenship and passport certified copies. And by the refugee organization do you mean the UN office?

 

[beauhoe]

Thanks for replying my friend. Unfortunately I do not have a canadian birth certificate cuz I was born and raised in Syria. I just have my father's canadian citizenship and passport certified copies. And by the refugee organization do you mean the UN office?

Yes I meant the UN officer.
Even though you were born and raised in Syria, your parents should've applied for a birth certificate at nearest Embassy. Please click here to see if you are qualify for one: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/rules/index.asp
Cheers,

 

[fidzei]

Yes I meant the UN officer.
Even though you were born and raised in Syria, your parents should've applied for a birth certificate at nearest Embassy. Please click here to see if you are qualify for one:
Cheers,

According to the link I am qualified to get one. My parents unfortunately haven't applied for my birth certificate at any embassy. My question is : do I have to wait for the citizenship certificate to be issued before I be able to move to Canada? Or maybe there is a way so I could get a facilitation visa on my Syrian passport and then wait for my citizenship certificate to be issued in Canada?

 

[beauhoe]

According to the link I am qualified to get one. My parents unfortunately haven't applied for my birth certificate at any embassy. My question is : do I have to wait for the citizenship certificate to be issued before I be able to move to Canada? Or maybe there is a way so I could get a facilitation visa on my Syrian passport and then wait for my citizenship certificate to be issued in Canada?

I am glad to hear that you are qualify. Regarding to your question, I am sure that the UN officer is qualified to legally give you a clear answer. Another thing you could do is to approach the nearest Canadian Embassy and explain them your situation showing your gather's documents. Meanwhile, you can apply for your proof and than for your passport.
Cheers,

 

[eltorpe]

According to the link I am qualified to get one. My parents unfortunately haven't applied for my birth certificate at any embassy. My question is : do I have to wait for the citizenship certificate to be issued before I be able to move to Canada? Or maybe there is a way so I could get a facilitation visa on my Syrian passport and then wait for my citizenship certificate to be issued in Canada?

Since you know about the facilitation visa, have you read this page - http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/visa/types/facilitation.asp?

Sounds like you may fall under this category:

when new, replacement or emergency passports cannot be issued in a sufficiently timely fashion and where the travel is urgent:
for dual nationals coming to Canada for the first time;

However, they also say this:

Before considering the issuance of a facilitation visa, officers must verify the status and identity of the applicant through written confirmation from a consular officer that the client has a Canadian passport on record or documentary evidence of citizenship (DEC).

I'm not sure if your non-Canadian birth certificate + certified copies of your father's proof of citizenship and passport are sufficient. Were the copies of your father's documents certified in Canada or by the Canadian Embassy in Syria?

 

[eileenf]

It's good that you have documentation of your father's Canadian citizenship. This should make things easier.

You need to speak to someone who knows the ins and outs of the citizenship proof process or the facilitation visa (such as what constitutes adequate Documentary Evidence of Citizenship). So, a Canadian embassy or consulate official.

I know that citizenship proofs can be applied for urgently http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/urgent-proof.asp You will need to contact the Canadian embassy in Turkey to move forward with this. Once you have proof of citizenship, you can get an urgent passport.

The consulate can tell you whether you could qualify for a facilitation visa instead. It seems facilitation visas are at their discretion. In my opinion, the best course of action would be to contact the nearest Canadian consulate for an urgent proof of citizenship. Have form filled and all documents with you for appointment. At the appointment you can ask if the facilitation visa is an option for you.

Also, you should get as many other people advocating for you as possible.

Are you parents already in Canada? Do you have any other family members in Canada? Close friends? Is there a community that you're planning on moving to once your passport comes through? If so, they could:

1. Contact the settlement agency in their community to find out the fastest and safest way to get you to Canada.
2. Contact their Member of Parliament. The staff can assist them and advocate for you.
3. Post on Settlement.org. This is a forum moderated by settlement workers in Ontario. They will likely be able to answer your questions or steer you in the right direction.

Good luck.

 

[fidzei]

Since you know about ?

Sounds like you may fall under this category:

when new, replacement or emergency passports cannot be issued in a sufficiently timely fashion and where the travel is urgent:
for dual nationals coming to Canada for the first time;

However, they also say this:

Before considering the issuance of a facilitation visa, officers must verify the status and identity of the applicant through written confirmation from a consular officer that the client has a Canadian passport on record or documentary evidence of citizenship (DEC).

I'm not sure if your non-Canadian birth certificate + certified copies of your father's proof of citizenship and passport are sufficient. Were the copies of your father's documents certified in Canada or by the Canadian Embassy in Syria?

Thank you so much for your helpful response. Yes the copies of my father's documents were certified in Canada. Does it make any difference?

 

[eileenf]

Fidzei, have you been able to make an appt with the Canadian consulate? They are the ones who can help you.

 

[fidzei]

Unfortunatel not yet. I tried to call but I couldn't get any useful help. And I don't know if I can make an appointment via their website online.