Short stays abroad being Owner of a Canadian Business???

[qorax]

Hi Seniors,

If one establishes a business in Canada, post landing; and goes abroad on business trips intermittently [stays 2-3 months each year overseas], will those period be 'counted' as 'in Canada' for the 3 years rule of citizenship?

Or we need to 'deduct' those period from the 1095 days & accumulate more days by 4 yrs.?

Appreciate your advice...

Qorax.

 

[Leon]

No time outside Canada is counted as in Canada for citizenship. You need to spend more time to make up your 1095 days and be aware that you need to make 1095 days a day before you sign your application and be aware that any part of the day spent in Canada counts as a day inside Canada.

For PR, time spent outside Canada working for a Canadian business may be counted as time spent within Canada to meet PR residency requirements, however, they are strict on what counts as a Canadian business. If you had been employed by a Canadian business and been transferred to another country, it shouldn't be a problem or if you are a long-haul truck driver and spent a lot of time in the US but if you started the business yourself, immigration may see it as a ploy to protect your PR.

 

[qorax]

Thank you, Leon.
Deeply appreciated. Two more queries if I may please...

1. Will my previous 'business visits' to Canada be counted in the 1095 days? [I have about 106 days]
2. Can I apply for citizenship as soon as I complete the 1095 days, say in 3 yrs & 4 months? Or do I need to wait for 4 yrs, even if I complete those days earlier?

 

[Leon]

Time spent in Canada before getting PR counts at a 50% discount so your 106 days of business trips to Canada would count as 53 days towards the citizenship requirements as long as they are all in the period of the last 4 years before you apply. You do not have to wait until 4 years after you get PR to apply. If you had spent every day in Canada, you could apply after 3 years as a PR. If you had been in Canada on a temporary permit before getting PR, you could apply after 2 years as a PR where the two years in Canada before getting PR would count as the 3rd year.

 

[qorax]

Thanx again, Leon...
Got that loud & clear.