Working in USA while citizenship application is in process

[Achilees]

Hello,

I have applied for citizenship last month (December 2021). I am yet to receive AOR. My question is can I apply for job in USA? if I get a job and they process my L1A or any other visa, will there be any hinderance to my citizenship application process?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[novascotia27]

Hello,

I have applied for citizenship last month (December 2021). I am yet to receive AOR. My question is can I apply for job in USA? if I get a job and they process my L1A or any other visa, will there be any hinderance to my citizenship application process?

Thanks in advance!!

You must maintain your RO while your Citizenship application is in progress. Given that you have recently applied for citizenship, expect upwards of 24 months processing time with the current backlog.

 

[Achilees]

Thank you for your response. What is an RO? How does it affect my job seeking in USA? Or the visa processing? I thought it will be 18 month delay. Good to know about the 24 month delay

 

[harirajmohan]

Thank you for your response. What is an RO? How does it affect my job seeking in USA? Or the visa processing? I thought it will be 18 month delay. Good to know about the 24 month delay

RO: Residency obligation to maintain PR status. https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=727&top=10

Of course it doesnt affect your job seeking outside of Canada(and moving outside of Canada).
novascotia27 was telling that you should keep in mind maintaining this residency obligation till your citizenship oath is complete.

 

[Achilees]

Got it. thank you novascotia27 and harirajmohan. Follow-up question, After I become citizen, what is the process to get the L1A in my Canadian passport?

 

[harirajmohan]

Got it. thank you novascotia27 and harirajmohan. Follow-up question, After I become citizen, what is the process to get the L1A in my Canadian passport?

https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/do-i-need-a-visa/

 

[Achilees]

https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/do-i-need-a-visa/

Thank you. Also, I found out if one is eligible to apply for citizenship. one already meets the PR renewal requirements for the first time. This is because for applying for citizenship one should reside 1030 days (730 PR days and the rest non-PR days) in Canada. The eligibility to renew PR is also 730 days.

 

[DonDraper]

Hello,

I have applied for citizenship last month (December 2021). I am yet to receive AOR. My question is can I apply for job in USA? if I get a job and they process my L1A or any other visa, will there be any hinderance to my citizenship application process?

Thanks in advance!!

No, there will be no issue. After applying for citizenship one can go out of the country. However, you must be able to visit Canada for your Test and Oath ceremony.

 

[vladikim]

it won’t affect your citizenship application at all. As soon I sent my application, I left Canada for about year and half, did my test outside of Canada, you don’t need to be in Canada for the test. However, you have to be in Canada to take the oath. Good luck

 

[DonDraper]

it won’t affect your citizenship application at all. As soon I sent my application, I left Canada for about year and half, did my test outside of Canada, you don’t need to be in Canada for the test. However, you have to be in Canada to take the oath. Good luck

Did you get PR renewed to get back to Canada for Oath ceremony? I'm wondering what happens if PR expires or renewal is in process.

 

[vladikim]

Did you get PR renewed to get back to Canada for Oath ceremony? I'm wondering what happens if PR expires or renewal is in process.

Mine was still valid when I returned back to Canada

 

[Achilees]

No, there will be no issue. After applying for citizenship one can go out of the country. However, you must be able to visit Canada for your Test and Oath ceremony.

Thank you. I am applying for an opportunity. I was worried

 

[Achilees]

it won’t affect your citizenship application at all. As soon I sent my application, I left Canada for about year and half, did my test outside of Canada, you don’t need to be in Canada for the test. However, you have to be in Canada to take the oath. Good luck

Thank you. Oh great. that's even better