When Should I Apply for Citizenship?

[Drea]

Hi All!

I landed in December 2010. I have not travelled outside of Canada except for a 10-day vacation to Mexico in 2012. I am therefore, eligible to apply for citizenship towards the end of December, 2013 (coming up soon!).

BUT, I heard that a period of unemployment is a trigger for an RQ. Although I landed in December, 2010, I did not become employed until March 1, 2011. There is roughly a 2 1/2-month period of unemployment there, during which I was doing other things like getting my SIN card, PR card, new lease on an apartment, etc.

Do you advise that I apply for citizenship in March 2014 to avoid triggering an RQ? (I have been a full-time employee at the same company from March 1, 2011 to present). Or should I just go ahead an apply at the end of December, when I actually become eligible?

Any thoughts?

 

[touché]

Hi All!

I landed in December 2010. I have not travelled outside of Canada except for a 10-day vacation to Mexico in 2012. I am therefore, eligible to apply for citizenship towards the end of December, 2013 (coming up soon!).

BUT, I heard that a period of unemployment is a trigger for an RQ. Although I landed in December, 2010, I did not become employed until March 1, 2011. There is roughly a 2 1/2-month period of unemployment there, during which I was doing other things like getting my SIN card, PR card, new lease on an apartment, etc.

Do you advise that I apply for citizenship in March 2014 to avoid triggering an RQ? (I have been a full-time employee at the same company from March 1, 2011 to present). Or should I just go ahead an apply at the end of December, when I actually become eligible?

Any thoughts?

I would apply once you become eligible. You've been employed for majority of the 3 years. Good luck.

 

[eileenf]

Hi Drea,
No one can say with certainty whether or not you will get an RQ.
1. The trigger you are concerned about "A5 – Self-identified as a consultant, self-employed or unemployed, with any travel during the relevant 4 year period." has always seemed unclear to me. Does the travel have to be during the period of unemployment? Or is it anytime during the four year period? Not sure. So it's hard to say if it would apply in your case.
2. At least one of the RQ triggers has been revised (C1). It is possible that A5 may have been clarified. Which again, makes it hard to say if it would apply in your case.

It's your choice when to apply. While I think it's important not to help the CIC disenfranchise us by giving ourselves a bunch of EXTRA-legal citizenship requirements (sending in a lot of unasked for documentation, applying months or years later than required) or withdrawing qualified applications due to frustration with the RQ, it also makes sense to view things pragmatically as well.

It could be that by holding off a few months you would avoid an RQ and ultimately get citizenship sooner. But no one can predict the future. You have every right to apply on the 1096th day of your physical presence in Canada. Being unemployed, or having periods of unemployment does not mean you are less worthy as a person or have less right to citizenship. It is your choice how to balance pragmatism, your sense of RQ risk and your eligibility for your citizenship rights.

Good luck.

 

[Drea]

Thanks Eileen.