Long term travel -- what to do?

[Philly898]

Hey everyone,

A couple of friends and I thinking of going backpacking through Asia/Europe for what could be up to 6-8 months. At the same time, I really don't necessarily want to put off becoming a Canadian citizen and am willing to break away from the trip to attend my oath ceremony.

So.

My question is this - the IRCC website says that I need to let them know if I leave Canada for more than two weeks while my application is in process. However, my situation is a bit unique because I don't really know how long we will be travelling for or even exact dates when we're leaving/coming back. Plus, I fully intend on returning for my Oath ceremony (as that is far more important to me than this trip), and don't want to stop them from scheduling my ceremony during the time frame I think I will be travelling.

Has anyone found themselves in a similar situation? Will I get in trouble if I leave and don't tell them anything so that they postpone my citizenship? Any thoughts would be welcome!

 

[k.h.p.]

How long has your application been processing? If you feel you're very close to being called to an oath ceremony, I would suggest you postpone the international trip.

 

[Philly898]

How long has your application been processing? If you feel you're very close to being called to an oath ceremony, I would suggest you postpone the international trip.

Thanks for the reply! I applied in December 2018 in Kitchener. So based on other Kitchener applicants, my guess is that I will get my test invite around December 2019 which I will be able to make, since we are looking at leaving in January. Unfortunately, the January to May/June time frame is the only time that works for all of us, so the rest of the group are going regardless of my citizenship predicament. I was thinking of waiting out and seeing what happens and then joining my friends for at least the second half of the trip; however, nothing is certain and if for some reason it takes another 6 months before the Oath ceremony then I will miss the whole window to go travelling completely.

 

[Philly898]

... was really bargaining on this whole 12 month turn over thing and was ideally hoping to be a citizen around the 1 year mark of applying... I see now that was wishful thinking

 

[Han]

I don't think you necessarily have to inform them about your trips. You can if you want.

I traveled to my country for a few weeks and I didn't inform them. I just took my test/interview and the officer didn't bother to ask any question regarding what I did after applying for citizenship. However, like you, I didn't want to miss the test/oath so I made sure my friend checks my mail box once a week and I remembered to check my email and ecas status while outside Canada. I was willing to reschedule my return flight if needed.

 

[Philly898]

I don't think you necessarily have to inform them about your trips. You can if you want.

I traveled to my country for a few weeks and I didn't inform them. I just took my test/interview and the officer didn't bother to ask any question regarding what I did after applying for citizenship. However, like you, I didn't want to miss the test/oath so I made sure my friend checks my mail box once a week and I remembered to check my email and ecas status while outside Canada. I was willing to reschedule my return flight if needed.

That is really comforting, I think I may follow your same route Thanks for the advice!