Permanent Residence / Citizenship

[GabrielToo]

Hello everyone,
As far as I understood from the CIC website, if one's Express Entry application is successful, (s)he gets the Permanent Resident status immediately upon arrival to Canada. Is this information correct, or have I misunderstood something?
Also I read that once you've been a permanent resident for 3 years, you can apply for citizenship.
Does it mean that under favorable conditions one can get Canadian citizenship in 3.5-4 years starting from the Express Entry application (considering the CIC intention to process each application within 6 month period).

Thanks a lot in advance,
Gabriel

 

[scylla]

Hello everyone,
As far as I understood from the CIC website, if one's Express Entry application is successful, (s)he gets the Permanent Resident status immediately upon arrival to Canada. Is this information correct, or have I misunderstood something?
Also I read that once you've been a permanent resident for 3 years, you can apply for citizenship.
Does it mean that under favorable conditions one can get Canadian citizenship in 3.5-4 years starting from the Express Entry application (considering the CIC intention to process each application within 6 month period).

This is no longer correct.

The rules have recently changed. To qualify for citizenship you must now live in Canada for 4 out of 6 years (vs. the old 3 out of 4 years). So the earliest you can apply for citizenship is four years after you become a permanent resident. To qualify to apply right at the four year mark, you would need to remain in Canada and not leave for even a single day for that four year period.

 

[wifedoctor]

This is no longer correct.

The rules have recently changed. To qualify for citizenship you must now live in Canada for 4 out of 6 years (vs. the old 3 out of 4 years). So the earliest you can apply for citizenship is four years after you become a permanent resident. To qualify to apply right at the four year mark, you would need to remain in Canada and not leave for even a single day for that four year period.

Do you know if they still count in retrospect?

I believe in the past they used to count some of the time you were already in canada?

 

[scylla]

Do you know if they still count in retrospect?

I believe in the past they used to count some of the time you were already in canada?

No - only the time from PR forward.

 

[GabrielToo]

Thank you very much for the replies.
What about the Permanent Resident status? Is it still possible to get it immediately after one arrives to Canada (after being selected from the Express Entry Program)?

Do you know if there are any ways to reduce the 4 year term, other than marrying a Canadian citizen? Maybe if you show that you've integrated very well into the society, or that you paid lots of money in taxes?

 

[Amy2Canada]

All the information is provided on CIC website -

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/become-eligibility.asp

Cheers,
Amy

 

[scylla]

Do you know if there are any ways to reduce the 4 year term, other than marrying a Canadian citizen? Maybe if you show that you've integrated very well into the society, or that you paid lots of money in taxes?

Marrying a Canadian citizen does not reduce the residency requirement. You still have to live in Canada for 4 years out of 6 years to qualify.

 

[kateg]

Do you know if there are any ways to reduce the 4 year term, other than marrying a Canadian citizen? Maybe if you show that you've integrated very well into the society, or that you paid lots of money in taxes?

Join the armed forces.

The fast-track provision will accelerate citizenship for permanent residents serving in the CAF and foreign military members on exchange with the CAF. Those who have served for one year less than the standard residence requirement for citizenship may qualify for a grant of citizenship, provided they meet all other requirements. This means the length of time you served in the Canadian Armed Forces is used instead of the length of time you lived in Canada.