Informing IRCC when leaving Canada while application is in progress

[TrSally]

Hi everyone,

I will apply for citizenship soon, but after applying, I might have to travel to another country about 6 months after I send my application. I’ll be gone for about 6 months, I’ll continue to maintain PR requirements & I can fly back at any time for anything needed.

any help with any of these questions would be so helpful:

1. Am I allowed to leave between test completion & oath?
2. Do the test & interview happen on the same day?
3. Do I have to notify IRCC via web form every time I leave Canada while my application is in progress, before and after interview? (This doesnt say anything, but this does - relevant screenshot)
4. Do I have to inform them about where I’m going or provide an explanation why?
5. Do I have to inform them about leaving even after the test/interview is done?
6. Do I have to inform them how long I’m going for and when I intend to return to Canada?
7. Should I explain in the form that I’ll be gone for 6 months but I can fly back at any time necessary within a day?
8. Does this trip raise chances to be denied citizenship? I don’t think it should since the law allows it, but wanted to confirm that interviewers won’t refuse my application for this

thanks!

 

[guitarman]

Hi everyone,

I will apply for citizenship soon, but after applying, I might have to travel to another country about 6 months after I send my application. I’ll be gone for about 6 months, I’ll continue to maintain PR requirements & I can fly back at any time for anything needed.

any help with any of these questions would be so helpful:

1. Am I allowed to leave between test completion & oath?
2. Do the test & interview happen on the same day?
3. Do I have to notify IRCC via web form every time I leave Canada while my application is in progress, before and after interview? (This doesnt say anything, but this does - relevant screenshot)
4. Do I have to inform them about where I’m going or provide an explanation why?
5. Do I have to inform them about leaving even after the test/interview is done?
6. Do I have to inform them how long I’m going for and when I intend to return to Canada?
7. Should I explain in the form that I’ll be gone for 6 months but I can fly back at any time necessary within a day?
8. Does this trip raise chances to be denied citizenship? I don’t think it should since the law allows it, but wanted to confirm that interviewers won’t refuse my application for this

thanks!

I left Canada twice before my oath, once for 6 weeks just after we submitted the application and once for 3 weeks, arriving back to Canada a few days before the oath. Our whole process, from application to oath was really quick - only 5 months, which I know is not the norm. But in both instances when we left, we could have easily gotten back if we needed to.

Maybe speak to a lawyer, because your timing is so long, but as long as you're coming back into Canada to take the test and the oath and not attempting any funny stuff, there's nothing wrong with leaving the country.

But maybe because it's for such an extended period it might be good to spend a little extra cash and consult a lawyer? Just to make sure your?

 

[TrSally]

I left Canada twice before my oath, once for 6 weeks just after we submitted the application and once for 3 weeks, arriving back to Canada a few days before the oath. Our whole process, from application to oath was really quick - only 5 months, which I know is not the norm. But in both instances when we left, we could have easily gotten back if we needed to.

Maybe speak to a lawyer, because your timing is so long, but as long as you're coming back into Canada to take the test and the oath and not attempting any funny stuff, there's nothing wrong with leaving the country.

But maybe because it's for such an extended period it might be good to spend a little extra cash and consult a lawyer? Just to make sure your?

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Not attempting any funny stuff at all, I’ll continue to be employed remotely with my Canadian employer through it all & have multiples ways to show my intent to be in Canada for a very long time (although proving this hasn’t been a requirement since 2017).

Pardon the questions, but did you fill out the web form & submit it for both of your trips during the application?

And were you asked questions about your trips during the interview?

 

[guitarman]

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Not attempting any funny stuff at all, I’ll continue to be employed remotely with my Canadian employer through it all & have multiples ways to show my intent to be in Canada for a very long time (although proving this hasn’t been a requirement since 2017).

Pardon the questions, but did you fill out the web form & submit it for both of your trips during the application?

And were you asked questions about your trips during the interview?

No I didn't submit the forms because I didn't think I was leaving long enough to justify notifying them. I also didn't have an interview.

I think if you're working for a Canadian employer that's probably a pretty easy thing to document should anything come up.

But your company should have a lawyer you can speak to about this, no?

 

[TrSally]

No I didn't submit the forms because I didn't think I was leaving long enough to justify notifying them. I also didn't have an interview.

I think if you're working for a Canadian employer that's probably a pretty easy thing to document should anything come up.

But your company should have a lawyer you can speak to about this, no?

Thank you again for responding! The company has zero problem with my absence, but yes, they would definitely help confirm that I was working & being paid as a Canadian employee through that whole time.

also, I apologize if I’m asking too much here, but do you have insights to share on how your application was processed so quickly? Wondering if there’s anything in particular I need to do or know to help expedite things. Thanks!