Applying for Canadian citizenship is an exciting milestone for many permanent residents, but the process comes with questions, one of which is, “Can I travel outside of Canada after submitting my citizenship application?” In short, yes, you can travel, but there are important considerations to keep in mind. This article will explore the implications of travel on your citizenship application and residency requirements, what documents you need, and best practices to ensure your application process runs smoothly while you’re away.
Understanding the Citizenship Application Process
Before diving into the specifics of traveling after applying for Canadian citizenship, it’s crucial to understand the steps involved in the citizenship application process. Becoming a Canadian citizen requires meeting certain eligibility criteria, such as:
Residency Requirement: You must have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) out of the five years immediately preceding your application.
Language Proficiency: You need to demonstrate an ability to communicate in one of Canada’s official languages (English or French).
Knowledge of Canada: You must pass a citizenship test, which evaluates your knowledge of Canadian history, values, institutions, and symbols.
Once you submit your application, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will review it to ensure you meet the requirements. After the application is reviewed and processed, you may be required to attend a citizenship test or interview. The final step is the oath-taking ceremony, where you officially become a Canadian citizen.
Can You Travel While Your Citizenship Application is in Process
The short answer is yes, you can travel outside of Canada after submitting your citizenship application. However, you must remain mindful of the following key factors:
1. Maintaining Permanent Residency (PR) Status
While you can travel abroad, it’s critical to maintain your permanent resident status until you officially become a citizen. If you leave Canada for an extended period, ensure that your absence does not jeopardize your PR status.
As a permanent resident, you are required to be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (roughly two years) out of every five-year period. Failure to meet this residency obligation can result in the loss of your PR status, which would affect your ability to become a citizen.
2. Communication with IRCC
Throughout the citizenship process, IRCC may contact you for additional information, request attendance for an interview, or schedule your citizenship test. If you’re traveling, it’s important to remain reachable and respond to any requests within the specified deadlines. Ignoring these requests or failing to respond promptly could delay your application or result in its closure.
To ensure you can respond while abroad, keep the following in mind:
Update Your Contact Information: If you change your email address or phone number while traveling, notify IRCC immediately.
Monitor Your Email: IRCC communicates primarily via email, so regularly check your inbox for any messages.
Delegate a Representative: If you’re worried about not being able to respond promptly, you can appoint a representative to handle communications on your behalf. This can be a family member, lawyer, or consultant.
See also: Why Living in Canada Is the Best?
3. Citizenship Test and Ceremony
During the application process, you will be required to attend a citizenship test (if you are between 18 and 54 years old) and eventually take part in a citizenship ceremony. IRCC usually provides advance notice for these events, but if you’re traveling outside Canada, make sure you return in time to attend.
If you miss your citizenship test or ceremony without providing a valid reason, your application could be delayed or even closed. IRCC typically gives applicants a second chance to reschedule, but if you are repeatedly unavailable, this could have negative consequences for your application.
4. Residency Calculation While Traveling
It’s important to note that once you apply for citizenship, your travel outside Canada does not affect your application’s residency requirement retrospectively. However, you must ensure that you have already met the minimum 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before submitting your application.
If you haven’t reached the required residency days at the time of application, any days spent outside Canada after applying will not count towards your total, and this could negatively impact the success of your application.
5. Travel Document Requirements
As a permanent resident of Canada, you are required to have a valid Permanent Resident (PR) card to return to Canada after traveling abroad. The PR card serves as proof of your status and allows you to re-enter the country. If your PR card is expired or will expire during your travel, you must renew it before leaving Canada.
If you are traveling to a country that does not require a visa for Canadian citizens, having a valid PR card and passport should be sufficient. However, if you are traveling to a country that requires a visa, make sure you obtain the necessary visa based on your nationality and the passport you hold.
6. Risk of Abandoning PR Status
While it is perfectly legal to travel outside Canada, frequent or extended absences may raise concerns about whether you have “abandoned” your permanent resident status. If IRCC has reason to believe you no longer intend to live in Canada, this could affect your application for citizenship.
If you intend to spend significant time abroad, ensure that you maintain strong ties to Canada, such as owning property, having family members in the country, or maintaining employment. These factors can demonstrate your continued commitment to Canada and reduce the risk of losing your PR status.
See also: Can I Enter Canada with a Passport About to Expire?
Best Practices for Traveling After Applying for Citizenship
To minimize the risk of complications during your travels, consider the following best practices:
Plan Ahead: Before traveling, ensure that you have already met the residency requirements for citizenship and that your PR card is valid.
Stay Informed: Monitor your application status and be aware of any upcoming tests, interviews, or ceremonies.
Be Responsive: Make sure you can quickly respond to any requests from IRCC while traveling. If necessary, appoint someone to manage communications on your behalf.
Keep Your Documents Safe: Carry your PR card, passport, and proof of citizenship application with you while traveling. These documents may be required when re-entering Canada or dealing with immigration authorities abroad.
Conclusion
Traveling outside Canada after applying for citizenship is generally allowed, but you must be mindful of your responsibilities as a permanent resident and the citizenship process requirements. Ensuring that you remain reachable by IRCC, maintain your PR status, and fulfill the necessary physical presence requirements will help you avoid any complications. Remember, the citizenship process can take several months to over a year, so traveling during this period is common. By staying informed, organized, and responsive, you can continue your journey toward Canadian citizenship without risking your application’s success.