Once you become a Permanent Resident...

[Saffy]

Okay so the person lands, waits 60 or so days toget the PR card, and then does this card expire?

When can they become citizens exactly?

 

[scylla]

The PR card expires every 5 years. To maintain PR status, you must live in Canada two out of every five years.

You must apply to become a citizen. To qualify to apply, you must have lived in Canada three out of the last four years. The processing time for citizenship is close to two years now.

 

[MissDominica]

Sorry to hi-jack this thread but I had a related question.
Once my partner (Common-law) becomes PR in Canada, I know this does not give him any rights to enter the USA (like a Canadian has) until he is a full citizen. However, since it takes 4-7 years to become a full citizen, does that mean we can't go on vacation or anything there (hassle-free) until he becomes a full citizen?

He is from the caribbean, so he would need a TRV to visit Canada or the USA before this whole process. So I guess what I'm asking is, once he becomes a PR, I know he still has to apply for a visa to visit the USA if we want to go on vacation (ie Disney Land or something). BUT is it easier now that he is a Canadian permanent resident adn would be applying from within Canada to go? Or is it processed as if he still lives in the Caribbean and has no status in Canada?

I want to plan fun vacations for 2014 but I'm feeling limited because he will only be a PR and will require a visa. I'm just wondering if it's easier not that he is a Canadian PR or if he is treated the same as if he applied on his own from his own country without any PR status.

Thanks!

 

[Isometry]

Sorry to hi-jack this thread but I had a related question.
Once my partner (Common-law) becomes PR in Canada, I know this does not give him any rights to enter the USA (like a Canadian has) until he is a full citizen. However, since it takes 4-7 years to become a full citizen, does that mean we can't go on vacation or anything there (hassle-free) until he becomes a full citizen?

He is from the caribbean, so he would need a TRV to visit Canada or the USA before this whole process. So I guess what I'm asking is, once he becomes a PR, I know he still has to apply for a visa to visit the USA if we want to go on vacation (ie Disney Land or something). BUT is it easier now that he is a Canadian permanent resident adn would be applying from within Canada to go? Or is it processed as if he still lives in the Caribbean and has no status in Canada?

I want to plan fun vacations for 2014 but I'm feeling limited because he will only be a PR and will require a visa. I'm just wondering if it's easier not that he is a Canadian PR or if he is treated the same as if he applied on his own from his own country without any PR status.

Thanks!

To the best of my knowledge, he will still require a visa to visit the US. However, this might be easier to get approved now that he's a Canadian PR--why sneak illegally into America when you already live legally in Canada?

 

[SenoritaBella]

I don't think "easier" is the right word when it comes to acquiring visas. Like any other applicant, he has to satisfy the officer that he will leave the US at the end of his stay and demonstrate sufficient ties to Canada(if he is a PR) or to his home country(if applying from there).

Assuming he's in Canada and a PR, having steady employment for sometime and adequate funds would be favorable for him. If he applies within a few weeks of becoming a PR, the chances of rejection are pretty high.

There is usually an interview - the officer would want to know his plans, places/who he will visit, where he will stay, etc. It's very important to be prepared and forthcoming with the information.

Lastly, if he is approved for a US visa, he will likely get a 5-year(or 10 year) multiple entry visa which is great for future trips.

Sorry to hi-jack this thread but I had a related question.
Once my partner (Common-law) becomes PR in Canada, I know this does not give him any rights to enter the USA (like a Canadian has) until he is a full citizen. However, since it takes 4-7 years to become a full citizen, does that mean we can't go on vacation or anything there (hassle-free) until he becomes a full citizen?

He is from the caribbean, so he would need a TRV to visit Canada or the USA before this whole process. So I guess what I'm asking is, once he becomes a PR, I know he still has to apply for a visa to visit the USA if we want to go on vacation (ie Disney Land or something). BUT is it easier now that he is a Canadian permanent resident adn would be applying from within Canada to go? Or is it processed as if he still lives in the Caribbean and has no status in Canada?

I want to plan fun vacations for 2014 but I'm feeling limited because he will only be a PR and will require a visa. I'm just wondering if it's easier not that he is a Canadian PR or if he is treated the same as if he applied on his own from his own country without any PR status.

Thanks!

 

[CharlieD10]

I want to plan fun vacations for 2014 but I'm feeling limited because he will only be a PR and will require a visa. I'm just wondering if it's easier not that he is a Canadian PR or if he is treated the same as if he applied on his own from his own country without any PR status.

Thanks!

If he waits a respectable interval following his landing in Canada, the chances of being approved for a US visa are higher, because he will have established his ties to Canada such as finding a job/going to school, opening bank accounts, settling into his home, etc. If he applies soon after, the chances are he will be treated as if applying from his homeland and will be denied.

 

[MissDominica]

Thanks everyone. I was just asking for future vacations' sake. He will be working and established here long before we start spending cash on vacations to the USA. Was just curious for the future.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[bagelbagel81]

Sorry to also highjack this thread, but just out of interest, if you are in Canada for the three years out of last four and then apply for citizenship- Are you allowed to reside in your country of birth during that waiting/processing time, or do you need to stay in Canada until the citizenship has been processed? Just curious as to how it works!

 

[bscinto92]

i gueszx im gonna highjack this thread too.... but after becoming a permanent resident do you HAVE to apply for citizenship? just wondering cause my husband works with a couple permanent residents and this one girl said she's been a permanent resident for 12 years now. i thought after 3 years you were required to apply for citizenship, but corrrect me if im wrong?

 

[scylla]

Sorry to also highjack this thread, but just out of interest, if you are in Canada for the three years out of last four and then apply for citizenship- Are you allowed to reside in your country of birth during that waiting/processing time, or do you need to stay in Canada until the citizenship has been processed? Just curious as to how it works!

This is a bit of a grey area. On paper, you can technically leave. However it seems that if you leave, it can increase the changes of getting an RQ (residency questionnaire) where you have to submit additional information to CIC to prove that you have in fact resided in Canada for the required three years. An RQ can increase your processing time by as much as two years. If for any reason you end up in front of a judge, the fact that you left Canada immediately after applying for citizenship will likely not play in your favour. So the short answer is yes you can leave, but it might complicate your citizenship process.

Also, keep in mind that you don't get much notice to attend the citizenship test. So if you are out of the country, you have to be able to return very quickly.

 

[scylla]

i gueszx im gonna highjack this thread too.... but after becoming a permanent resident do you HAVE to apply for citizenship? just wondering cause my husband works with a couple permanent residents and this one girl said she's been a permanent resident for 12 years now. i thought after 3 years you were required to apply for citizenship, but corrrect me if im wrong?

There is no requirement to apply for citizenship. You can remain a PR forever.

 

[parker24]

i gueszx im gonna highjack this thread too.... but after becoming a permanent resident do you HAVE to apply for citizenship? just wondering cause my husband works with a couple permanent residents and this one girl said she's been a permanent resident for 12 years now. i thought after 3 years you were required to apply for citizenship, but corrrect me if im wrong?

My old pastor has been a PR of Canada for about 20 years. I'd say scylla is right

 

[zajirima]

The PR card expires every 5 years. To maintain PR status, you must live in Canada two out of every five years.

You must apply to become a citizen. To qualify to apply, you must have lived in Canada three out of the last four years. The processing time for citizenship is close to two years now.

This is correct in general. There are exceptions in counting days in Canada for citizenship purposes. E.g., you can count time spent in Canada waiting for PR process to complete (each day counts as half day). There are also exceptions regarding time spent outside Canada while accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse. In this case, time doesn't count, but at least one does not lose PR eligibility upon return to Canada, assuming you have proper records.

 

[Shylox]

My old pastor has been a PR of Canada for about 20 years. I'd say scylla is right

I'm also going to join in and hijack this thread (sorry!)

What exactly does one gain from becoming a citizen after already having PR? I know it gives you the right to vote, but what else? And does staying as a PR put you in any danger of them taking it away? I'm just trying to consider my options here.

Maybe I'm just paranoid but I'm afraid of getting my PR and then some years later them taking it away for whatever reasons.

 

[scylla]

I'm also going to join in and hijack this thread (sorry!)

What exactly does one gain from becoming a citizen after already having PR? I know it gives you the right to vote, but what else? And does staying as a PR put you in any danger of them taking it away? I'm just trying to consider my options here.

Maybe I'm just paranoid but I'm afraid of getting my PR and then some years later them taking it away for whatever reasons.

As a PR, you must reside in Canada for 2 out of every 5 years to retain your status. (Some exemptions exist such as living outside of Canada with a citizens spouse.) There are no such requirements for citizenship. You can be outside of Canada for as long as you want and always have the right to return.

If you commit a crime as a PR, you could have your PR status revoked. Not with citizenship.

Citizenship also gives you the right to hold a Canadian passport.