Surrendering a Supporting Document

[fruitball4u]

Hi there,

I'm about to apply for my citizenship, but will be moving outside of Canada (back to the US for work) after my application has been mailed. My "government ID" in my application is my drivers license (because I have no other governmental ID).

When I return back to the States, I'll need to change back to a Washington driver's license so that I can get a vehicle and insurance. They'll let me keep my BC license, but they'll hole punch it and it will no longer be valid.

Will this cause any problems when going to my citizenship test? I know that they require you to bring all supporting documents that you used in your application; I tried to call CIC but when I got through the 15 different options to speak with someone, a message came on saying that they had too many calls and couldn't take mine right now (thanks, right?) and disconnected me.

Just wondering if anyone else has experience a similar situation?

(For what it's worth, I did find the below employee guide that states you need the original...but that doesn't say one way or the other if it has to be valid still or not.)

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/admininistration/identity/identity-documents-applicants-must-provide-interviews-hearings-tests.html

 

[sns204]

While it doesn't mention in the document list that the personal identification must be "valid", I don't know if it's inferred that it should be valid. It may raise questions during the test that would possibly lead to you disclosing that you have a Washington license.

 

[keesio]

While it doesn't mention in the document list that the personal identification must be "valid", I don't know if it's inferred that it should be valid. It may raise questions during the test that would possibly lead to you disclosing that you have a Washington license.

Yes this could happen. They will likely ask to see all the ID you used for your application. You will have to explain what happened to your BC license, which may raise an eyebrow regarding your longer term plans to stay in Canada

 

[sns204]

Yes this could happen. They will likely ask to see all the ID you used for your application. You will have to explain what happened to your BC license, which may raise an eyebrow regarding your longer term plans to stay in Canada

And questions about why you didn't update IRCC, if you hadn't.

 

[fruitball4u]

I do plan to update IRCC, and as far as I know, with the C6 bill you are now no longer required to intend to reside in Canada, are you not? So would it matter regarding what my plans are as far as living in Canada?

Section 2.1.3 of Bill C6 says:

2.1.3 Intention to Reside No Longer Required (Clauses 1(5), 1(8), 1(11.1), 1(12) and 7)
Clause 1(5) repeals the requirement that a person intend to reside in Canada if granted citizenship is repealed (section 5(1)(c.1)). As a result, a number of consequential amendments are made:

• Clause 1(8) repeals the requirement for applicants to have a continuous intention to reside in Canada from the time of application (section 5(1.1)).
• Clauses 1(11.1) and 1(12) repeal sections of the Citizenship Act that provided a waiver for the intention to reside requirement for minors (section 5(3)(b)(iii)) and for individuals who were incapable of forming an intent (section 5(3)(b.1)).
• Clause 7 removes the criterion of “intention to reside” from the requirements for resumption of citizenship in section 11 of the Citizenship Act.

(The CIC website also states the below, though this doesn't say for how long you can leave - whether it's intended as leaving for vacation or if it's okay to move, I have no idea)

Can I leave Canada after I mail my citizenship application?
Yes. You can leave Canada after we receive your application.

If you need to leave Canada and want to stay eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must:

• make sure that you live in Canada long enough to keep your Permanent Resident (PR) status
• be a permanent resident (when you apply)
• not lose PR status before you take the Oath of Citizenship
• bring your PR card with you when you leave Canada so you can return easily

Make sure your PR card won’t expire while you are outside Canada.

We usually only mail letters, notices and other documents to addresses in Canada. In some cases, you may receive an email from us. You must reply to these letters or emails within a specified amount of time. If you don’t reply within the time frame and don’t provide an acceptable reason for not being able to keep your appointment with us or providing requested information, we may stop processing your application.

You must attend appointments and other events at our offices, like your:

• citizenship test (for applicants 18 to 54 years of age)
• interview or hearing
• ceremony

These events only take place in Canada. If you can’t attend the appointment or event, you must either e-mail or write to the local office that sent you the event notice. You can also use the online web form to contact us.

 

[fruitball4u]

Yes this could happen. They will likely ask to see all the ID you used for your application. You will have to explain what happened to your BC license, which may raise an eyebrow regarding your longer term plans to stay in Canada

But they would have access to my passport, which would allow them to see that I've been outside of Canada anyway, no? So regardless of explaining what happened to my license, they would already know that I have been outside of the country (plus I intend to update IRCC of my address). - Not trying to be argumentative here, just trying to work through this to see if I'm missing anything.

 

[fruitball4u]

While it doesn't mention in the document list that the personal identification must be "valid", I don't know if it's inferred that it should be valid. It may raise questions during the test that would possibly lead to you disclosing that you have a Washington license.

And what effect would that have, if any? I thought that under Bill C-6 there is no longer an intent to reside clause, so as long as I'm maintaining my permanent residency until my application is approved, would it matter if I'm living in Washington or not?

 

[sns204]

And what effect would that have, if any? I thought that under Bill C-6 there is no longer an intent to reside clause, so as long as I'm maintaining my permanent residency until my application is approved, would it matter if I'm living in Washington or not?

It’s just about being transparent and accurate with IRCC, is all. You’re right that the new law doesn’t have the residency requirement.

 

[fruitball4u]

It’s just about being transparent and accurate with IRCC, is all. You’re right that the new law doesn’t have the residency requirement.

Okay, that's good news to hear, at least. I'll for sure to transparent; I think with the law not requiring intent to reside that in theory it wouldn't matter as long as my PR is still in good standing, but of course IRCC can be fickle and so I guess I'll just be crossing my fingers for the next year of my life until I've got my grant in hand, haha.

 

[sns204]

Okay, that's good news to hear, at least. I'll for sure to transparent; I think with the law not requiring intent to reside that in theory it wouldn't matter as long as my PR is still in good standing, but of course IRCC can be fickle and so I guess I'll just be crossing my fingers for the next year of my life until I've got my grant in hand, haha.

If you’re close on presence days, I could see it triggering an RQ.

 

[fruitball4u]

If you’re close on presence days, I could see it triggering an RQ.

What's an RQ?

From my reading, it looked like the 1095 presence days refers to the time preceding your application, not afterward, correct? (I was at 1136 as of my application date) I know that you still have to maintain your PR status, which is living in Canada for two out of every five years. As I have spent the past two years (and several months) as a PR in Canada, that means that I should, in theory, be able to be away for three years without issue, no? (I also won't be moving until July, so will have a few extra months under my belt.)