Questions re: waiting until 55 to apply

[cdnynkee]

Background:

-I am originally from the US
-PR since 1978
-I have never been out of the country for more than 10 days any of those years (generally just a week for family visits).
-For the first 4 years I didn’t work (housewife/mother)
-I have worked since then and have been at my current (full-time) job for almost 25 years
-My husband is a Canadian citizen (as are both of my children)
-My husband and I have owned our home for 20 years.
-I have always filed my income taxes in full and on time.
-Since moving to Canada I have always lived in Winnipeg.

I have never applied for Canadian citizenship before – at first it was because I didn’t want to lose my US citizenship and then when the US changed that law it just never became a huge priority. I want to do in now because I have 2 grandchildren with a 3rd due in the next few weeks and I have started to realize that it is important to me to become a citizen because of them.

I started looking into becoming a citizen a couple years ago and did quite a few of the tests online and have always scored at least 95% (usually 100%). I didn’t’ go ahead and apply at that time because of some personal issues.

My questions:

I will be turning 55 in early August and would like to submit my application immediately after that. I know I would be taking a chance that Bill C-24 won’t become law until this fall however, I’m wondering if the timing of my application would raise any red flags.

I would like to wait until I turn 55 for the simple reason that I don’t have any clue how to go about getting the language testing done and I’m sure that since it is already April 30th that I wouldn’t have it done too much before my birthday anyway. So, in order to save the time and expense, waiting does seem like the best answer for me.
My PR card expires late spring of 2015. Would this cause an issue?

Thank you in advance for any help or advice.

 

[rayman_m]

It appears you meet all the eligibility benchmark. Applying in Aug and avoiding language test would be good idea if there is no alternate for you. It's unlikely the new law will be in effect by Aug,2014.

 

[YorkFactory]

You can probably apply now. I know someone who turned 55 after he applied and didn't have to take the knowledge or language tests because of that.

 

[meyakanor]

Since you're from the States (and have been in Canada for over 30 years), I'm assuming that you must have done your secondary or post-secondary education in English? If so, then your secondary or post-secondary diploma should be enough as a language proof.

Proof of completion of secondary or post-secondary education in French or English includes:

A diploma or transcripts from a secondary or post-secondary school indicating the successful completion of a program, in Canada or abroad. or
A diploma or certificate from a secondary or post-secondary school indicating successful graduation, in Canada or abroad.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/CIT0002ETOC.asp#language

But since you won't have issue to qualify under the new law as well, it may be wiser to wait until Bill C-24 comes into effect anyway, since the processing is likely to be much faster by then (at least, that's what they promised).

 

[cdnynkee]

Hmm, trying to find my high school diploma from 1977 from the US. That could prove to be interesting! ;D I'm sure it survived the move to Canada and a few moves around the city before we bought our house but I don't recall the last time I've seen it. :-[

Waiting until after C-24 comes into effect isn't an option because my understanding is the age would be raised to 64 and I definitely don't want to wait that much longer.

I'm worried if I apply to much before my birthday my application would be sent back because I'm missing documentation. Maybe doing it in mid to late July would be an option.

Thanks!

 

[rayman_m]

If you don't find your high school or post secondary diploma/transcript than you should wait till u turn at 55 which waives language condition for your case. Applying early w/o diploma or until you officially become 55 years, surely your application will be returned..

 

[meyakanor]

If you don't find your high school or post secondary diploma/transcript than you should wait till u turn at 55 which waives language condition for your case. Applying early w/o diploma or until you officially become 55 years, surely your application will be returned..

The only thing she can do is then wait until she turns 55 and hope that Bill C-24 won't be in effect yet by then. I understand that finding a high school diploma from 1977 would be tough. I finished high school a little over ten years ago, and I already could not find the diploma!

 

[YorkFactory]

A transcript will also suffice.