MUFC/dpenabill/screech339 - Please advise - confused - Single OR family?

[boltz]

Things change rapidly with citz applications - forms, fees, what ever - so does their thinking/process of processing of applications - hence my query. Pls advise.

Should it be a single application? or Should I wait and submit joint (family with 1 child) after waiting 2 months?

Some are suggesting it won't matter; some are warning. I am worried since my wife is home maker and if I submit first (with child), hers might end up being a weak application later.

Appreciate if you can advise.

Thanks.

 

[goodman36]

Re: Please advise - confused - Single OR family?

If your wife and child are eligible to apply after 2 months, i.e., they will have the required 1095 days per residence calculator after 2 months, then I would suggest to wait and apply together.

 

[Juney]

Re: Please advise - confused - Single OR family?

Apply together. It will be a one-time effort and easier on your part to access infos regarding your application. Don't worry much about your wife being a homemaker. It does not disqualify her to attain citizenship. Good Luck.

 

[boltz]

Mufc , dpenabill, screech339,

Any advice? Thanks

 

[MUFC]

If I were in your shoes, my biggest concern will be , that the enforcement of the new residency rule might be enforced for some reason before the date your wife will be eligible to apply.
From now on we are getting closer and closer to the danger zone of the actual cut off date and because of that I would apply without her.
If the new rules are still not enforced after 2 months time, then she can apply too.

You see that the main issue is that there is still absolutely no official information when the actual cut off date will be, from now on every procrastination to apply might be dangerous.

 

[dpenabill]

I am no expert and I am not qualified to offer personal advice in a particular individual's case.

Moreover, I am approaching the one-year anniversary of when I took the oath, and for many months now I have limited what I am following to a few issues of interest to me, so I am not keeping up with a lot of anecdotal reports regarding issues unrelated to residency and process (I am following these two areas of interest for a variety of reasons, one is that I am interested to see how the implementation of Bill C-24 unfolds).

In the past, separate applications was a potential red flag. CIC never elaborated why (they never do) but it's a fair guess that separate applications indicate less than concurrent settling in Canada, indicating someone in the family has stronger continuing ties abroad . . . and ties abroad can be a reason-to-question-residency.

Two months off is indeed approaching the danger zone for the potential date the new requirements will come into force. But you could at least wait until mid-April to see if there is news or credible rumours about the date the revised provisions will take effect . . . and if there is no news, at a bit of a gamble, wait until mid-May to make the application as a family. In the meantime, have your separate application all ready to go, all but for the final touches, and watch the news . . . and if necessary submit a separate application to beat the deadline. At least you are in a better position than those who will not meet the current residency requirements until sometime in June, let alone in July or August; they are really sitting on the edge of the keyboard anxiously awaiting news.

 

[MUFC]

To be honest I have to say, that I've never thought one year ago, that approaching March,2015 the cut off date would be still a mystery.
I am still very surprised that so deep and close to the expected time, there is still nothing official for such a big change which will affect so many thousands of people... amazing .

 

[eileenf]

Things change rapidly with citz applications - forms, fees, what ever - so does their thinking/process of processing of applications - hence my query. Pls advise.

Should it be a single application? or Should I wait and submit joint (family with 1 child) after waiting 2 months?

Some are suggesting it won't matter; some are warning. I am worried since my wife is home maker and if I submit first (with child), hers might end up being a weak application later.

1. I really appreciate that you're thinking about the benefit of your whole family. I get so depressed by the husbands (I've only ever seen husbands do this) who seem all too eager to throw their own families under the bus at the merest hunch that it might personally benefit their individual applications. Nary a concern about whether their own (supposedly strong) application could help their family members. (And yes, each app is judged on its own, but possibly further on in the process, having a whole family waiting on an application could provide the slightest slightest nudge? Can't say. But it's not impossible.)

2. That said, there is nothing wrong with being a homemaker and it conveys no disadvantage for citizenship. Being a homemaker has never been a RQ trigger. Just make sure she writes "homemaker" rather than "unemployed".

3. The question is whether the new 4/6 rule will be in force once your family qualifies. No one knows exactly when it's going into force, so it's a gamble to wait. My sense is, given that there is zero evidence that homemaker is an RQ risk factor, that your wife faces no special hurdles that might be lessened by being part of a family application. But there is a risk that the 4/6 rule will come into force before June/July. Late April, early May? Probably not, but no one can say.

4. Ultimately it's your choice as a family. If you feel better with an all-for-one/one-for-all-approach (which certainly seems friendly) apply as a family. If you're slowed down, you're in it together. If you're speeded up, you all get to take the oath and celebrate together.
But if you decide it's better to make sure that the one parent and the child get citizenship ASAP, that makes sense too (especially if you might move overseas or you're trying to get priority for french immersion school for your kid or you're a die-hard political person and want to have the best chances of being able to vote in the fall fed elections).

With CIC, it's all a gamble. You can't control the process. You have to make your best guesses, follow your instincts, be honest and trust that it will work out sooner or later.

Good luck.

 

[boltz]

If I were in your shoes, my biggest concern will be , that the enforcement of the new residency rule might be enforced for some reason before the date your wife will be eligible to apply.
From now on we are getting closer and closer to the danger zone of the actual cut off date and because of that I would apply without her.
If the new rules are still not enforced after 2 months time, then she can apply too.

You see that the main issue is that there is still absolutely no official information when the actual cut off date will be, from now on every procrastination to apply might be dangerous.

"You see that the main issue is that there is still absolutely no official information when the actual cut off date will be, from now on every procrastination to apply might be dangerous."

Thank you MUFC, I could agree no less. Considering a case when I would have known of cutoff date, I would have taken a well informed decision that I would live up to - either single or family - both ways.

At the same time, I am not sure (pardon me, that's part of my confusion too) if I would really want to apply single ( which i dont want to, if I have a slightest hint of fact that it would affect my wife's appln). Honestly no fun in getting mine through, while we wait on hers - I wouldn't have a peace of mind or sense of achievement.

Just to add a bit more relevant info (didn't think it was relevant to my initial Q, initially) - I am looking at mar 10 n may 10 to be 2 dates win2 mths apart - with no travel in last 3 yrs out of Canada. 1 travel for me only, for 10 days, but that's before the 3 yr period.

Would that, in any way, influence your advise for me? I would appreciate. Thnx.

 

[boltz]

I am no expert and I am not qualified to offer personal advice in a particular individual's case.

Moreover, I am approaching the one-year anniversary of when I took the oath, and for many months now I have limited what I am following to a few issues of interest to me, so I am not keeping up with a lot of anecdotal reports regarding issues unrelated to residency and process (I am following these two areas of interest for a variety of reasons, one is that I am interested to see how the implementation of Bill C-24 unfolds).

In the past, separate applications was a potential red flag. CIC never elaborated why (they never do) but it's a fair guess that separate applications indicate less than concurrent settling in Canada, indicating someone in the family has stronger continuing ties abroad . . . and ties abroad can be a reason-to-question-residency.

Two months off is indeed approaching the danger zone for the potential date the new requirements will come into force. But you could at least wait until mid-April to see if there is news or credible rumours about the date the revised provisions will take effect . . . and if there is no news, at a bit of a gamble, wait until mid-May to make the application as a family. In the meantime, have your separate application all ready to go, all but for the final touches, and watch the news . . . and if necessary submit a separate application to beat the deadline. At least you are in a better position than those who will not meet the current residency requirements until sometime in June, let alone in July or August; they are really sitting on the edge of the keyboard anxiously awaiting news.

"I am no expert and I am not qualified to offer personal advice in a particular individual's case. "

I know you wouldn't give a personal advise; and thats what i wanted/meant from 'you' when i asked for. My sincere hope was you would provide information that I can use to decide/ guide me to it - which is exactly what you offered me. At min, you would provide me with objective way of looking at. Thanks there.

"separate applications indicate less than concurrent settling in Canada, indicating someone in the family has stronger continuing ties abroad . . . and ties abroad can be a reason-to-question-residency."

Thanks for this view point. I can at least see now as to why a separate appln can be seen differently by a cic officer.

"But you could at least wait until mid-April to see if there is news or credible rumours about the date the revised provisions will take effect . . . and if there is no news, at a bit of a gamble, wait until mid-May to make the application as a family. In the meantime, have your separate application all ready to go, all but for the final touches, and watch the news . . . and if necessary submit a separate application to beat the deadline. "

I don't know why I could not think of this, a rolling wait, with ready-any-time state. Fantastic suggestion. I do need to keep in mind, a risk, no one would know how much lead time will cic give from announcement of date to realization of date.

I have posted my additional specifics to MUFC's reply. If you have additional advice with my specific case particulars, I would be very appreciative. Thanks

 

[boltz]

Re: Please advise - confused - Single OR family?

If your wife and child are eligible to apply after 2 months, i.e., they will have the required 1095 days per residence calculator after 2 months, then I would suggest to wait and apply together.

Thanks goodman36 for your valuable suggestion

 

[boltz]

Re: Please advise - confused - Single OR family?

Apply together. It will be a one-time effort and easier on your part to access infos regarding your application. Don't worry much about your wife being a homemaker. It does not disqualify her to attain citizenship. Good Luck.

Thank you for your view about being a homemaker.

Also, i would say, doc collection, I guess is the least of my bothering.

 

[MUFC]

"You see that the main issue is that there is still absolutely no official information when the actual cut off date will be, from now on every procrastination to apply might be dangerous."

Thank you MUFC, I could agree no less. Considering a case when I would have known of cutoff date, I would have taken a well informed decision that I would live up to - either single or family - both ways.

At the same time, I am not sure (pardon me, that's part of my confusion too) if I would really want to apply single ( which i dont want to, if I have a slightest hint of fact that it would affect my wife's appln). Honestly no fun in getting mine through, while we wait on hers - I wouldn't have a peace of mind or sense of achievement.

Just to add a bit more relevant info (didn't think it was relevant to my initial Q, initially) - I am looking at mar 10 n may 10 to be 2 dates win2 mths apart - with no travel in last 3 yrs out of Canada. 1 travel for me only, for 10 days, but that's before the 3 yr period.

Would that, in any way, influence your advise for me? I would appreciate. Thnx.

If somebody ask me what I personally understand when I see the official statement that the Law will be enforced after "Approximately" a year with a base point June,2014... The way I understand that vague "Approximately" is +-3months from each side of June.

With other words I expect the new rule to be effective anytime from April until the end of September this year.

Every date after 1st of May is definitely in the danger zone, because it's in the +-1 month from June range.

The other main issue is that there is no guarantee how much notice in advance there will be. This government like to say very often the stuff in the last moment.

I am really disappointed from that mystery about that cut off date, because the actual cut off date might be very close already, but nobody knows about it officially.

I would wait and apply with your wife if you have the nerves to gamble it would be a good risk.
Of course that I would prefer the family application, but I am trying to analyze the situation without emotions, because if the cut off date lands on 1st of May, then all of you have to wait at least one more extra year.
My biggest concern is that the official message might be on the cut off date itself...ei no notice in advance given. It's not going to be the first time this government does that.

 

[boltz]

1. I really appreciate that you're thinking about the benefit of your whole family. I get so depressed by the husbands (I've only ever seen husbands do this) who seem all too eager to throw their own families under the bus at the merest hunch that it might personally benefit their individual applications. Nary a concern about whether their own (supposedly strong) application could help their family members. (And yes, each app is judged on its own, but possibly further on in the process, having a whole family waiting on an application could provide the slightest slightest nudge? Can't say. But it's not impossible.)

2. That said, there is nothing wrong with being a homemaker and it conveys no disadvantage for citizenship. Being a homemaker has never been a RQ trigger. Just make sure she writes "homemaker" rather than "unemployed".

3. The question is whether the new 4/6 rule will be in force once your family qualifies. No one knows exactly when it's going into force, so it's a gamble to wait. My sense is, given that there is zero evidence that homemaker is an RQ risk factor, that your wife faces no special hurdles that might be lessened by being part of a family application. But there is a risk that the 4/6 rule will come into force before June/July. Late April, early May? Probably not, but no one can say.

4. Ultimately it's your choice as a family. If you feel better with an all-for-one/one-for-all-approach (which certainly seems friendly) apply as a family. If you're slowed down, you're in it together. If you're speeded up, you all get to take the oath and celebrate together.
But if you decide it's better to make sure that the one parent and the child get citizenship ASAP, that makes sense too (especially if you might move overseas or you're trying to get priority for french immersion school for your kid or you're a die-hard political person and want to have the best chances of being able to vote in the fall fed elections).

With CIC, it's all a gamble. You can't control the process. You have to make your best guesses, follow your instincts, be honest and trust that it will work out sooner or later.

Good luck.

"2. That said, there is nothing wrong with being a homemaker and it conveys no disadvantage for citizenship. Being a homemaker has never been a RQ trigger. Just make sure she writes "homemaker" rather than "unemployed"."

Great, eileenf... Thanks for this view. It should help me take the homemaker part out if equation. You know it's hard to prove residency (not that she has travels; actually no travel In 3 yrs when she would be eligible) for homemaker - that keeps me bothering. See what I mean.? If her appln is together with child, then it's already gaining strength - you see a child 5-7 yrs needs daily attention and accompanying to school drop/pickup. Just my thinking.

" If you're slowed down, you're in it together. If you're speeded up, you all get to take the oath and celebrate together.
But if you decide it's better to make sure that the one parent and the child get citizenship ASAP, that makes sense too (especially if you might move overseas or you're trying to get priority for french immersion school for your kid or you're a die-hard political person and want to have the best chances of being able to vote in the fall fed elections)."

My child is US born; so hers is not my worries either. I do agree its my decision, that I should not look back ( you see the road not taken kind of a thing) . I get your message here. Thnx.

 

[screech339]

To the OP's post, in my opinion, applying as a family would be the best approach if you all want to cite oath and become Canadians together as a family.

However that said, you do run the risk of all the application being returned if one of the applications is considered incomplete.

If it is not that important to you to cite your oath and become Canadian all together and doesn't matter when one family member get canadian citizenship first before anyone else. Then you have option to file separately. However family minors cannot become Canadian before one of the parents become Canadian (assuming none of the parents are Canadian). So it is best to attach the family dependents to one of the parent's application.

The decision on applying for citizenship or individually has no affect on the outcome, except whether your family will become Canadians same day or not. That's the only difference.

The only issue I can think of for family applying together is that if there is a problem with one application, getting RQed or one failed the test, etc etc, it can cause delay in the other applications in process in getting canadian citizenship done same time.