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Can I re-apply for citizenship after 17 years? 

windsor123
windsor123
Posts: 1


Posted On: 1/6/2021
windsor123
windsor123
Posts: 1
My family submit citizenship application in 2003 after physically living in Canada for 3 years as PR. In 2004 We sold the house and moved out of country and were not able to submit the supporting document within time frame requested by CIC. Application was closed. More than 17 years now, is it reasonable to re-submit new application?

Thanks for your guidance, stay safe and healthy!


windsor
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PMM
PMM
Posts: 661


Posted On: 1/8/2021
PMM
PMM
Posts: 661
Hi


windsor123 wrote:
My family submit citizenship application in 2003 after physically living in Canada for 3 years as PR. In 2004 We sold the house and moved out of country and were not able to submit the supporting document within time frame requested by CIC. Application was closed. More than 17 years now, is it reasonable to re-submit new application?

Thanks for your guidance, stay safe and healthy!


windsor




1. If you have been outside Canada for 17 years, you no longer meet your residency requirements (2 years residence in every 5)
2. You first have to sort out your permanent residence, by either applying for Permanent Resident Travel Document and prove that there were Humanitarian or Compassionate reasons why you remained outside Canada for 17 years, or enter Canada without being reported for not meeting your RO and remain for 2 years without leaving to become compliant with your RO (Resident Obligations) Note that you would have difficulty regarding health insurance and renewing your SIN number.
3. As to citizenship, you have to have lived in Canada for 3 years in the 5 years on the date you sign your application as a Permanent Resident, you aren't eligible for citizenship.
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Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4142


Posted On: 1/22/2021
Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4142
Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us. We can appreciate that you would be concerned about this situation.

1. Living outside of Canada

If you have been living outside of Canada for more than 17 years, you will not be able to apply for a Canadian citizenship. According to the IRCC web page, in order to meet the residency requirement for the application, you must have been physically living in Canada for at least 1,095 days (which is 3 years) during the 5 years before the date you sign your application. Your time spent outside of Canada will not be counted towards your residency requirement as it will go over the 5 years.

To meet your physical presence requirement for citizenship, you will first need to complete your PR obligations. It is important to note that you do not lose your PR status if your PR card has expired. You can only lose your PR status if you voluntarily renounce your status, a removal order is made against you, or if an adjudicator determines you are no longer a permanent resident. To maintain your status, you must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years in every 5-year period). You will only be able to renew your PR card while in Canada. If you are trying to come to Canada and obtain citizenship, you would likely be able to enter Canada with an expired PR card if you have applied for the PR Travel Document.

2. Currently living in Canada

If you are currently living in Canada and want to know if you meet the physical presence requirement, you can use the physical presence calculator to aid you. If you meet the physical presence requirement, follow the IRCC webpage to learn if you are eligible to apply for a Canadian citizenship.

You may wish to consult a reputable and registered immigration consultant or an immigration lawyer who is familiar with Canadian immigration issues for advice on your situation before you start any application processes. A consultant or lawyer can help you find the most efficient and direct way for your family to enter Canada. We hope this information is helpful.

We hope that the information we provided was helpful to you. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,


Your Settlement.Org team.


This document does not contain legal advice.
This document was prepared with the assistance of PBSC Western University law student volunteers. PBSC volunteers are not lawyers and they are not authorized to provide legal advice. This document contains general discussion of certain legal and related issues only. If you require legal advice, please consult with a lawyer.
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