I have some questions about the residence questionnaire. I am a United States citizen, and obtained permanent residency in Canada through the skilled worker program after waiting several years. I resigned from my job in the United States in Cleveland and moved to Canada in 2009.
Although people recommend a "cushion" that exceeds 1,095 days, in my ignorance, I filed for citizenship with only a few days beyond the minimum 1,095 day requirement. Bottom line is, despite my stupidity in not researching these blogs prior to submitting my application for citizenship, I have fulfilled my requirement of residing in Canada for 1,095 days, even if not by much. That being said, I conscientiously declared each and every trip to the United States where I did not return that same day. I was honest, and thorough, and didn't conveniently "forget" to document any absences.
I was invited to write the test at the Windsor office this past December. I was concerned that there might be an issue, because I work in Detroit for the U.S. government. Also, everyone in my family lives in the US. Before writing the test, I chatted with a very pleasant and kind woman who interviewed me in Windsor, and she asked about my employment, and I told her that I worked in Detroit, and she stated she'd interviewed others who had done likewise. She stated everything looked good on my application, and strongly implied I'd be invited to be sworn in in February or March, with the caveat, "maximum of six months."
In mid January, out of the blue, I received a residence questionnaire asking me to fill out CIT0171, or the RQ and to return it to the Windsor office. My 45 days are winding down. Revenue Canada has mailed me my assessments for the past three years, and I have my lease, rent receipts, car, renters insurance, etc. I'm not going to "bomb" them with information, but rather, send a few rent receipts, utility bills, etc for each month. Also, I'll send them some copies of some of my receipts from Transit Windsor showing I've purchased monthly tunnel bus passes. Happy to send more if they should ask, I have every month in my possession.
I sent off to have OHIP send me my documents as soon as I got the RQ, but it's not looking hopeful that I'll receive them in time. I have, however, obtained a receipt for a visit to a dentist here in Windsor.
My desire to move to Canada is because Canadians values mirror mine much closer. I've always (since I was a teenager) wanted to spend the rest of my life in Canada, and decided to make it happen. I moved to Windsor not knowing anyone, starting from scratch. It was difficult, and lonely in the beginning, as I knew it would be, but my conviction to spend the rest of my life in Canada outweighed this price. I tried very hard to secure employment in Canada before moving here, but potential employers all but told me they wouldn't consider me unless I gave up my job and moved to Canada so they would be sure I was serious. Put another way, they didn't want to invest their resources interviewing a job candidate who might back out. I was afraid to resign my job in the hopes that someone would hire me. I would have, and still would rather work in Canada, but such an opportunity has not presented itself.
What is Windsor's track record in terms of how long this RQ might delay me? I truly have no idea why I was selected to receive this RQ after how well the interview went. Any advice as to what further substantiation to include with my RQ would be greatly appreciated.
Although people recommend a "cushion" that exceeds 1,095 days, in my ignorance, I filed for citizenship with only a few days beyond the minimum 1,095 day requirement. Bottom line is, despite my stupidity in not researching these blogs prior to submitting my application for citizenship, I have fulfilled my requirement of residing in Canada for 1,095 days, even if not by much. That being said, I conscientiously declared each and every trip to the United States where I did not return that same day. I was honest, and thorough, and didn't conveniently "forget" to document any absences.
I was invited to write the test at the Windsor office this past December. I was concerned that there might be an issue, because I work in Detroit for the U.S. government. Also, everyone in my family lives in the US. Before writing the test, I chatted with a very pleasant and kind woman who interviewed me in Windsor, and she asked about my employment, and I told her that I worked in Detroit, and she stated she'd interviewed others who had done likewise. She stated everything looked good on my application, and strongly implied I'd be invited to be sworn in in February or March, with the caveat, "maximum of six months."
In mid January, out of the blue, I received a residence questionnaire asking me to fill out CIT0171, or the RQ and to return it to the Windsor office. My 45 days are winding down. Revenue Canada has mailed me my assessments for the past three years, and I have my lease, rent receipts, car, renters insurance, etc. I'm not going to "bomb" them with information, but rather, send a few rent receipts, utility bills, etc for each month. Also, I'll send them some copies of some of my receipts from Transit Windsor showing I've purchased monthly tunnel bus passes. Happy to send more if they should ask, I have every month in my possession.
I sent off to have OHIP send me my documents as soon as I got the RQ, but it's not looking hopeful that I'll receive them in time. I have, however, obtained a receipt for a visit to a dentist here in Windsor.
My desire to move to Canada is because Canadians values mirror mine much closer. I've always (since I was a teenager) wanted to spend the rest of my life in Canada, and decided to make it happen. I moved to Windsor not knowing anyone, starting from scratch. It was difficult, and lonely in the beginning, as I knew it would be, but my conviction to spend the rest of my life in Canada outweighed this price. I tried very hard to secure employment in Canada before moving here, but potential employers all but told me they wouldn't consider me unless I gave up my job and moved to Canada so they would be sure I was serious. Put another way, they didn't want to invest their resources interviewing a job candidate who might back out. I was afraid to resign my job in the hopes that someone would hire me. I would have, and still would rather work in Canada, but such an opportunity has not presented itself.
What is Windsor's track record in terms of how long this RQ might delay me? I truly have no idea why I was selected to receive this RQ after how well the interview went. Any advice as to what further substantiation to include with my RQ would be greatly appreciated.
