Physical presence in Canada for Citizenship (For frequent travel outside Canada on official reasons)

[rajaram25]

Hello Everyone,

I am a permanent resident of Canada since May 2017. I am working for a CANADIAN EMPLOYER since then. The nature of my job involves a lot of travel outside Canada on job assignments. I have not been outside Canada so far apart from my official trips. (FYI: I can obtain letters (for each year since 2017) from my employer confirming my dates of travel and reason for travel as official)

My question is: "Am I eligible to consider the days spent outside Canada (ON OFFICIAL TRAVEL) towards the residency for citizenship?"

I understand that CIC website says that if you work for Canadian armed forces or for services Canada then you are eligible to do so. But I wonder a lot of people like who work for a private organisation in Canada might have encountered this situation.

Anyone who has been successful in obtaining citizenship while being in the above situation would be a great motivation for people like me. At the same time, I am expecting answers from people who possess the knowledge in this area.

Thanks in advance.

Regards
G

 

[21Goose]

No, travel for a private organization will not count towards the physical presence requirement. You have to wait till you have three years of actual physical presence before you can apply.

Here's the authoritative source. Scroll down to the section titled Duration of physical presence:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/grant/residence/physical-presence-intent-reside-requirements.html

 

[scylla]

Hello Everyone,

I am a permanent resident of Canada since May 2017. I am working for a CANADIAN EMPLOYER since then. The nature of my job involves a lot of travel outside Canada on job assignments. I have not been outside Canada so far apart from my official trips. (FYI: I can obtain letters (for each year since 2017) from my employer confirming my dates of travel and reason for travel as official)

My question is: "Am I eligible to consider the days spent outside Canada (ON OFFICIAL TRAVEL) towards the residency for citizenship?"

I understand that CIC website says that if you work for Canadian armed forces or for services Canada then you are eligible to do so. But I wonder a lot of people like who work for a private organisation in Canada might have encountered this situation.

Anyone who has been successful in obtaining citizenship while being in the above situation would be a great motivation for people like me. At the same time, I am expecting answers from people who possess the knowledge in this area.

Thanks in advance.

Regards
G

It won't count and there's no point trying. For citizenship you'll need to wait until you have enough actual physical presence in Canada.

 

[rajaram25]

No, travel for a private organization will not count towards the physical presence requirement. You have to wait till you have three years of actual physical presence before you can apply.

Here's the authoritative source. Scroll down to the section titled Duration of physical presence:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/grant/residence/physical-presence-intent-reside-requirements.html

Thanks a lot for the swift response and for the link. It clears the air quite well. Not sure if I could blame the nature of my job though my full intention is to make Canada as my home which is why I made a move here.

Didn't mean to prolong this....But there were many answers in QUORA for the same question. In fact, I got a positive answer from a "former visa officer" at citizenship & immigration. Here is what he had to say:

'"Although a pattern of frequent short trips will be quickly recognized as business travel, it is a good idea to keep any/all records related to business travel (correspondence, meeting invites/confirmations, ticket receipts, travel cost reimbursements etc.). In addition, keep all records of your establishment in Canada (mortgage/rent payments, municipal tax payments, monthly utility payments, and especially pay stubs)."

IS THE CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION CONSIDERED ON A CASE TO CASE BASIS?.. WOULD SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION THROUGH AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY EXPLAINING THE CASE AND SUBMITTING THE PROOFS HELP?

Regards
G

 

[21Goose]

No, it won’t help. The rules around physical presence are crystal clear. You’ll be wasting time and money.

 

[Zmaqsood]

Thanks a lot for the swift response and for the link. It clears the air quite well. Not sure if I could blame the nature of my job though my full intention is to make Canada as my home which is why I made a move here.

Didn't mean to prolong this....But there were many answers in QUORA for the same question. In fact, I got a positive answer from a "former visa officer" at citizenship & immigration. Here is what he had to say:

'"Although a pattern of frequent short trips will be quickly recognized as business travel, it is a good idea to keep any/all records related to business travel (correspondence, meeting invites/confirmations, ticket receipts, travel cost reimbursements etc.). In addition, keep all records of your establishment in Canada (mortgage/rent payments, municipal tax payments, monthly utility payments, and especially pay stubs)."

IS THE CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION CONSIDERED ON A CASE TO CASE BASIS?.. WOULD SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION THROUGH AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY EXPLAINING THE CASE AND SUBMITTING THE PROOFS HELP?

Regards
G

That might be from time when proving ur intention to reside in canada was mandatory as well for citizenship which changed back in 2017 with bill C-6. That is why x-officer told to keep records of all travels to prove the nature of travels in case it is ever questioned by officer during ur citizenship process. But definitely travel for business purpose is counted as absence unless u r working for crown and are stationed out of country

 

[scylla]

Thanks a lot for the swift response and for the link. It clears the air quite well. Not sure if I could blame the nature of my job though my full intention is to make Canada as my home which is why I made a move here.

Didn't mean to prolong this....But there were many answers in QUORA for the same question. In fact, I got a positive answer from a "former visa officer" at citizenship & immigration. Here is what he had to say:

'"Although a pattern of frequent short trips will be quickly recognized as business travel, it is a good idea to keep any/all records related to business travel (correspondence, meeting invites/confirmations, ticket receipts, travel cost reimbursements etc.). In addition, keep all records of your establishment in Canada (mortgage/rent payments, municipal tax payments, monthly utility payments, and especially pay stubs)."

IS THE CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION CONSIDERED ON A CASE TO CASE BASIS?.. WOULD SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION THROUGH AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY EXPLAINING THE CASE AND SUBMITTING THE PROOFS HELP?

Regards
G

Submitting through a lawyer won't make a difference. Lawyers can't change the citizenship laws.

Person who answered your question on Quora either misunderstood your question or doesn't know what they are talking about. The answer you received is actually the answer to the following question: Can I count time spent outside of Canada on official travel for a Canadian employer towards the PR residency requirement. Nothing to do with citizenship - different residency requirement, different rules.

Quora fail.

 

[rajaram25]

That might be from time when proving ur intention to reside in canada was mandatory as well for citizenship which changed back in 2017 with bill C-6. That is why x-officer told to keep records of all travels to prove the nature of travels in case it is ever questioned by officer during ur citizenship process. But definitely travel for business purpose is counted as absence unless u r working for crown and are stationed out of country

Thanks very much for that clarity.