Question about citizenship qualifying time spent

[canada_dr3am]

Hi Guys,

I followed this forum rigorously when applying for my PR and believe it is an excellent initiative. I got my PR on June 14, 2011 and now on June 14, 2013 it will be almost two years for me living in Canada after getting PR (CEC) and so I qualify to apply for citizenship.

My situation was as follows in June 2010 my post grad work permit expired and and therefore from July 2010 to June 2011 I was on a visitor status (while waiting for PR). During this time I was living with a friend but discontinued my bank accounts, phone etc. (to minimize costs as much as I could as I was living out of my savings). In essence I was almost living like a Ghost during this period. Therefore, my worry is that if my application gets RQd it will be difficult for me to provide any supporting docs to prove residency if required for this period.

My other problem is that my passport just expired in April 2013. I will renew it before I apply for citizenship but the renewed passport will probably be dated one, two or more months after the expired one as I havent had a chance to renew it.

Finally, I havent left Canada in the past 5.5 years

My questions are:

1. Based on your experiences what are the chances of my application getting RQd?
2. Secondly if it does get RQd will the fact that I havent left canada as evidenced by no stamps in my passport be sufficient to prove support of residence from July 2010 to June 2011 when i was on visitor status?

Thanks a lot in advance guys.

 

[Leon]

So before your work permit expired, did you apply to change your status to visitor and again after 6 months, did you apply to extend your visitor status before it expired because if you did, immigration would have a record of that.

If you didn't, you were staying illegally and I am doubtful that time spent in Canada out of status can count towards your citizenship.

 

[canada_dr3am]

Hi Leon,

Thank you for your reply. You are correct I did apply to change my status to visitor before my work permit expired and again when the visitor status was expiring for a new visitor status.

My concern is that would that be sufficent proof (along with my passport which has no exit/entry stamps proving I was in Canada) that I was in Canada during that time as I would not be able to provide much else incase I got RQd?

Secondly Leon just hoping if you can shed light on the chances of me getting RQd given that I havent left the country for almost 6 years?

Thanks Leon really appreciate your advice.

 

[Msafiri]

Hi Leon,

Thank you for your reply. You are correct I did apply to change my status to visitor before my work permit expired and again when the visitor status was expiring for a new visitor status.

My concern is that would that be sufficent proof (along with my passport which has no exit/entry stamps proving I was in Canada) that I was in Canada during that time as I would not be able to provide much else incase I got RQd?

Secondly Leon just hoping if you can shed light on the chances of me getting RQd given that I havent left the country for almost 6 years?

Thanks Leon really appreciate your advice.

No one can give you a percentage chance of RQs because issuance is based on risk triggers such as unemployment, self employment or for program integrity/ quality control purposes.

Lack of passport stamps is not conclusive proof of not leaving Canada...many frauds use multiple travel documents and some border crossings US/Canada/third country don't stamp entry or exit.

Have you worked in Canada? If RQd provide employer letter, pay stubs, Notice of Tax Assessments. You should also get billing record from your provincial health ministry which will detail your doctor visits, lab tests. Also sumbit dental receipts. Baiscally anything that is proof of your 'active' presence. Passive evidence such as bank statements usually disregarded afterall many frauds give family/friends their debit cards for use to pretend they are in Canada.

 

[canada_dr3am]

Thanks Msafiri

Yes I have worked in Canada with the exception of the period June 2010 to July 2011 when I was in visitor status while waiting for my PR. During this period I crashed with a friend, didnt really visit a doctor, and also discontinued using my bank account, phone etc. to save expenses.

So I am not sure what I can show for this period if I get RQd (I literally lived like a GHOST during that year with very minimal expenses)?

 

[Msafiri]

Either

1. Take a chance apply as soon as eligible with say a 20 day buffer and hope CIC don't RQ you.

2. Delay your application by the visitor period/ 12 months.

An RQ may not be issued and even if its issued may add less than 12 months to the processing. Option 1 seems the best choice if your declared presence is truthful.