what documents to keep to apply for citizenship

[CanBC]

Thanks. useful to know but I don't understand why ALL bank statements and bills need to be kept.

Surely as long as you have current statements with your address on, that should be fine.

I agree about travel history, address history and I know they want work history as well on Citizenship application form

 

[frege]

Thanks. useful to know but I don't understand why ALL bank statements and bills need to be kept.

Surely as long as you have current statements with your address on, that should be fine.

I agree about travel history, address history and I know they want work history as well on Citizenship application form

If they're suspicious for some reason, then current statements won't be enough.

Something like one out of five applicants gets what's called a "residence questionnaire." When that happens, you have a short amount of time (45 days, I think) to gather zillions of documents to prove that you were present in Canada for the entire time you say you were. People who get an RQ sometimes have to wait years to get a decision. Have a look here to see what an RQ looks like (this is for people who applied before June 2015, but I'm sure the new ones must be similar): https://residencequestionnaire.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/cit-0171-7-2014-e.pdf

Here's some advice on avoiding getting an RQ in the first place: https://residencequestionnaire.wordpress.com/advice-to-future-applicants/rq-avoidance/

If at all possible, you should wait until you far exceed the minimum presence requirement before applying. Problems mainly seem to happen to people who apply with only an extra 20- or 30-day cushion.

 

[CanBC]

Thanks but I'm not planning on being out of the country for any long periods. Only holidays and short vacations.

I was hoping to apply as soon as I hit the right amount of days with an extra 1 - 2 months on top.

Travel history wont be a problem- I had to do it for PR

Thanks for the links though, I will take a look.

 

[frege]

Thanks but I'm not planning on being out of the country for any long periods. Only holidays and short vacations.

I was hoping to apply as soon as I hit the right amount of days with an extra 1 - 2 months on top.

Travel history wont be a problem- I had to do it for PR

Thanks for the links though, I will take a look.

The problem is that at the moment Canada doesn't have an entirely reliable way of recording exits from the country. (Though that may be changing soon) So you could be gone from August 2 to August 5, but if your last entry into Canada was on May 1, then they would have no way of knowing just from the entries on May 1 and August 5 that the absence was only three days. If they've identified you as risky for some reason, they would want proof that you were actually in the country for the whole period from May 1 to August 2. That's where bank statements and so forth come in. Also, the fewer days you have to spare above the minimum, the more likely it is they'll say that you haven't proven you met the minimum.

A good way to have an idea of whether your likely to get an RQ is to look at the "RQ risk indicators" on the website I linked to. If you fall into one of the categories, then expect the greater scrutiny.

 

[CanBC]

If they've identified you as risky for some reason, they would want proof that you were actually in the country for the whole period from May 1 to August 2.

Surely credit card statements would work just as well and payslips from work as these show if I'm on vacation or not?

I rarely withdraw cash from an ATM from my chequing account so they are not going to get much out of that. I just use my credit card and transfer funds across

 

[frege]

Surely credit card statements would work just as well and payslips from work as these show if I'm on vacation or not?

I rarely withdraw cash from an ATM from my chequing account so they are not going to get much out of that. I just use my credit card and transfer funds across

Yes, payslips are excellent, if they cover a sufficient period of time. They don't say anything about weekends, so having a cushion of a few weeks or months is good.

A lot of these documents like bank records help for some people but not for others. The problem arises if you get an RQ and they ask you for them. When they explicitly ask you for a document and you don't provide it, then there's a chance that will affect your credibility. That's why it's best to have the records in case you're eventually asked for them, as many people are. Some people have to pay a lot of money for back statements. If your statements are online, then download them periodically.

Anyway, if you're employed for the whole time and give yourself a cushion of two or three months, it's unlikely you'll get an RQ.

 

[CanBC]

Yes, payslips are excellent, if they cover a sufficient period of time. They don't say anything about weekends, so having a cushion of a few weeks or months is good.

A lot of these documents like bank records help for some people but not for others. The problem arises if you get an RQ and they ask you for them. When they explicitly ask you for a document and you don't provide it, then there's a chance that will affect your credibility. That's why it's best to have the records in case you're eventually asked for them, as many people are. Some people have to pay a lot of money for back statements. If your statements are online, then download them periodically.

Anyway, if you're employed for the whole time and give yourself a cushion of two or three months, it's unlikely you'll get an RQ.

Good to know. thank you