MAY 2013 Applications (Citizenship)

[daktrader]

The airline will not et you board with the Certificate.
Perhaps you can make an emergency request to 'Passport Canada'

Wish You the Best!
Please do share your experience with 'Passport Canada'

Moving the vacation means that I'm out of pocket for $4000(non-refundable tickets, non-refundable hotel). The agent on the phone advised that I could get the certificate of citizenship, and travel out. I would have no problem coming back into Canada, since I am Canadian when I come back. The only issue is the airline might have an issue to allow me on board with just the letter.

 

[chandu007]

First of all, congratulations although you are in a troubling situation. Talk to the CBSA and airline directly and see what they say about traveling with the citizenship certificate with your valid non-Canadian passport. Logically that should not be a problem.

Guys,

I got my pink letter in the mail today. Unfortunately, my oath is booked for May 29th, and I am leaving on May 30th on a very expensive vacation for one week. I had called and spoken with the agent a few days back to push my oath back. She had put notes in my file but I guess no one paid attention to this.

Not sure what to do, since my hotels/flights have been booked.

Any advise would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Kenyadian

 

[kenyadian]

First of all, congratulations although you are in a troubling situation. Talk to the CBSA and airline directly and see what they say about traveling with the citizenship certificate with your valid non-Canadian passport. Logically that should not be a problem.

Thanks Chandu,

Called CBSA already and they asked me to connect with the airline. Talked to the airline and they don't seem to have an issue at all, since I have my Kenyan passport valid with a US visa valid till 2018.

Edit: I am travelling to Mexico, which has no issues if I have my US visa.

 

[coolblues1980]

Thanks Chandu,

Called CBSA already and they asked me to connect with the airline. Talked to the airline and they don't seem to have an issue at all, since I have my Kenyan passport valid with a US visa valid till 2018.

Edit: I am travelling to Mexico, which has no issues if I have my US visa.

Congrats Kenyadian. There should be a grace period when you can travel on your old passport even though you've become a Canadian citizen - No? Check on the passport surrender policies for your country on the embassy website, it will detail out what you can do in an emergency. The other option depending on when you get your citizenship certificate is that you could get a priority passport if you show them travel plans, I think you can get it the next day, but at an added cost. Although, CIC advises you to wait about 3 days before applying for a passport so they can update their systems.

 

[andriy155]

Congrats Kenyadian. There should be a grace period when you can travel on your old passport even though you've become a Canadian citizen - No? Check on the passport surrender policies for your country on the embassy website, it will detail out what you can do in an emergency. The other option depending on when you get your citizenship certificate is that you could get a priority passport if you show them travel plans, I think you can get it the next day, but at an added cost. Although, CIC advises you to wait about 3 days before applying for a passport so they can update their systems.

From what I understand, the issue is not in surrendering the Keynedian's Kenyan passport, but that he has to surrender the PR card during the oath ceremony. From what I understand, PR card must be surrendered during the ceremony without exception. Passport Canada produce a passport the day after the ceremony, even under rushed processing either.

I have done a little search, and perhaps this thread could be useful: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/urgent-passport-after-oath-t190090.0.html
In all honesty, I think this issue does come about every once in a while. Perhaps, CIC should have some official policy regarding this?
P.S. I would like to point out this post from that thread: "i wouldn't advice rescheduling oath after the oath date has been confirmed because couple of people have received RQ because of it. they want to know what was so important that you are willing to postpone it. during the test, they do ask if anyone is planning on vacation and they do assign dates based on that. but once the date has been assigned, yes they do postpone and reassign date, but it may come at a cost. "
This could be a speculation, but worth keeping in mind!

 

[andriy155]

How about applying for a Canadian passport while you are abroad?! Would you have enough time?

 

[kenyadian]

From what I understand, the issue is not in surrendering the Keynedian's Kenyan passport, but that he has to surrender the PR card during the oath ceremony. From what I understand, PR card must be surrendered during the ceremony without exception. Passport Canada produce a passport the day after the ceremony, even under rushed processing either.

I have done a little search, and perhaps this thread could be useful: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/urgent-passport-after-oath-t190090.0.html
In all honesty, I think this issue does come about every once in a while. Perhaps, CIC should have some official policy regarding this?
P.S. I would like to point out this post from that thread: "i wouldn't advice rescheduling oath after the oath date has been confirmed because couple of people have received RQ because of it. they want to know what was so important that you are willing to postpone it. during the test, they do ask if anyone is planning on vacation and they do assign dates based on that. but once the date has been assigned, yes they do postpone and reassign date, but it may come at a cost. "
This could be a speculation, but worth keeping in mind!

Hi Andriy,

You are correct - the issue is not having a PR card available. I am gone for only a week to a remote part of Mexico so no chance in getting the paperwork done abroad.

I am worried about this happening to me: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/new-canadian-without-passport-stuck-in-jamaica-1.1882573

Looks like I am going to have to postpone the ceremony

 

[coolblues1980]

Hi Andriy,

You are correct - the issue is not having a PR card available. I am gone for only a week to a remote part of Mexico so no chance in getting the paperwork done abroad.

I am worried about this happening to me: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/new-canadian-without-passport-stuck-in-jamaica-1.1882573

Looks like I am going to have to postpone the ceremony

did you check on the cost to postpone your trip? That may be more worthwhile even though you would be losing a couple hundred dollars than waiting another 6 months to a year for a re-oath?

 

[kenyadian]

did you check on the cost to postpone your trip? That may be more worthwhile even though you would be losing a couple hundred dollars than waiting another 6 months to a year for a re-oath?

Yes doing that right now, on the phone with the airline as I read through this!

 

[farrous13]

Hi Andriy,

You are correct - the issue is not having a PR card available. I am gone for only a week to a remote part of Mexico so no chance in getting the paperwork done abroad.

I am worried about this happening to me: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/new-canadian-without-passport-stuck-in-jamaica-1.1882573

Looks like I am going to have to postpone the ceremony

Kenyadian. Congrats on the oath.

Getting stuck in Mexico is not bad. Lool Jokes aside, where to Mexico are you going? Would changing your itinerary to the US be an option? Crossing by land wouldn't be a problem I believe with the certificate.

 

[andriy155]

Kenyadian. Congrats on the oath.

Getting stuck in Mexico is not bad. Lool Jokes aside, where to Mexico are you going? Would changing your itinerary to the US be an option? Crossing by land wouldn't be a problem I believe with the certificate.

Are you sure? I thought after 2010 that is not the case and you can only cross either on an enhanced license or a passport. Or am I wrong?

 

[andriy155]

One thought that may or may not work. How about getting a nexus card? I am not sure whether you have to surrender a nexus card when you become a citizen. I know that you must notify them that your status in Canada has changed, but you may be able to keep an existing card. Not sure if this works work, but worth looking into.

 

[andriy155]

Sorry for spamming...
Kenyadian, also check this thread: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/urgent-passport-after-oath-t190090.0.html
A guy was able to get a passport 28 hours after the oath. Perhaps this would work for you, though very risky.
I myself had a test in mid-April and am planning a short vacation in mid-August. Am getting worried and am considering not booking it.

 

[farrous13]

Are you sure? I thought after 2010 that is not the case and you can only cross either on an enhanced license or a passport. Or am I wrong?

Hi andriy155. I am not certain. But once I entered Canada from the US by land and I didn't have any of my papers except for my driver's license and medicare card. Mind you, I had a study permit then (about 8 years ago). The agent at the borders just looked up my info on their system and they admitted me with no problems.
Taking my experience into consideration, I believe the system should include all citizens.

 

[chandu007]

As far as my concern, there is no specific rule that a CBSA officer should follow for re-entry without proper documentation. In such case the re-entry will entirely depend upon the officer's judgement and it will be a risky business.

Hi andriy155. I am not certain. But once I entered Canada from the US by land and I didn't have any of my papers except for my driver's license and medicare card. Mind you, I had a study permit then (about 8 years ago). The agent at the borders just looked up my info on their system and they admitted me with no problems.
Taking my experience into consideration, I believe the system should include all citizens.