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US Canada dilema

skarme312

Hero Member
Aug 2, 2017
204
23
My situation: Became Canadian PR in Sep 2017. Living in USA since 2011 (currently on H1B). I know that to maintain PR one has to be in Canada for 2 out of 5 years and its 3 out of 5 years for citizenship. So I do intend to make up my mind latest by Sep 2019.

My question is that can I work in Detroit and live in Windsor and be meeting PR and citizenship criteria? I've read on forums that it is possible but was looking for some sort of official CIC link stating that a spending a partial day in Canada will count as full day for renewing PR and/or applying for citizenship. I'm also looking to hear from someone who has successfully done so.
 

evdm

Hero Member
Jun 16, 2017
650
360
For citizenship applications any portion of the day spent in Canada counts towards a residency day:

  • Absences will be calculated only for days where an applicant spent no time at all in Canada. Dates where an applicant left Canada, or returned to Canada will not be counted as an absence since the applicant was physically present in Canada for a portion of both days.
source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/grant/residence/calculate-physical-presence.html#s04

How cross-border workers are treated with regards to PR Residency Obligation, I don't know with any certainty, but I believe that it would follow the same logic.
 

skarme312

Hero Member
Aug 2, 2017
204
23
For citizenship applications any portion of the day spent in Canada counts towards a residency day:


source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/canadian-citizenship/grant/residence/calculate-physical-presence.html#s04

How cross-border workers are treated with regards to PR Residency Obligation, I don't know with any certainty, but I believe that it would follow the same logic.
Thank you for the reply. Is it practical to just as CIC/IRCC directly and see what they say ? ;)
 

evdm

Hero Member
Jun 16, 2017
650
360
Thank you for the reply. Is it practical to just as CIC/IRCC directly and see what they say ? ;)
Yes, you could always contact IRCC, to ask. Just remember that if there's ever a doubt as to your residency, the burden of proof is on you. So make sure you keep as much evidence as you can of your presence in Canada.
 

keesio

VIP Member
May 16, 2012
4,795
396
Toronto, Ontario
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-O
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
09-01-2013
Doc's Request.
09-07-2013
AOR Received.
30-01-2013
File Transfer...
11-02-2013
Med's Done....
02-01-2013
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
12-07-2013
VISA ISSUED...
15-08-2013
LANDED..........
14-10-2013
Yes, keep impeccable records of ALL your entries and exits. This includes ALL day trips. The easiest way to do this is to keep a excel spreadsheet and update it immediately after every trip.
 
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evdm

Hero Member
Jun 16, 2017
650
360
Yes, keep impeccable records of ALL your entries and exits. This includes ALL day trips. The easiest way to do this is to keep a excel spreadsheet and update it immediately after every trip.
And be sure you can back up the dates you claim with evidence, anyone can make an excel sheet.

Official entry and exit records can be obtained and should match your excel sheet.
 

skarme312

Hero Member
Aug 2, 2017
204
23
Thanks a lot folks for your advise. Do you know of anyone successfully applying for citizenship after going thru this route? Are there any issues or is there more scrutiny? As many people have noted, jobs in Canada are hard to come by and even if you do get an offer, the pay cut HURTS :( I had an offer beginning of the year but it was a 40 % cut in salary and there were other things going on so I decided to decline and give it some more time.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
52,959
12,758
Yes lots of people do it. You will get taxed in the US first and then Canada. You'll need to keep your US healthcare because you will be spending so much time in the US including driving nearly daily. Also you never know what Trump will do.
 

keesio

VIP Member
May 16, 2012
4,795
396
Toronto, Ontario
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-O
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
09-01-2013
Doc's Request.
09-07-2013
AOR Received.
30-01-2013
File Transfer...
11-02-2013
Med's Done....
02-01-2013
Interview........
waived
Passport Req..
12-07-2013
VISA ISSUED...
15-08-2013
LANDED..........
14-10-2013
Do you know of anyone successfully applying for citizenship after going thru this route? Are there any issues or is there more scrutiny?
Yup, it is doable. But expect some scrutiny and possible delays in your application.