Hey Guys,
I will be eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship soon, and I'm unsure of the time requirement based on the latest PR timeline changes - specifically the eligibility of some time where I did not have status in Canada.
I had a 15 month period (in the last 5 yrs preceding the application) between when my work permit expired, and when I received my PR - would these 15 months be considered for half day credit considering I had all sorts of Work Permit & PR applications in during that time frame ?
I was granted a 3 year post secondary work visa which was due to expire in September 2014. During my time with the company I applied for 3 different applications: to extend my work permit, bridge my work permit through the company via an LMIA, and for the Provincial Nomination Program (I applied for all 3 applications in January 2014). The work permit was rejected and the LMIA was denied in November 2014 and I had 90 days to restore my status in Canada. My employer was forced to terminate my contract. As a Syrian passport holder, a removal order was never issued and I was also unable to restore my status.
The Express Entry stream was introduced in 2015 and I was eligible to apply in March, which I did. I waited the 6 months period and never heard back on the status of my application. I hired an immigration consultant who recommended to apply for PR through the H&C stream. I applied in October 2015 and obtained my PR in February 16, 2016. I immediately cancelled all outstanding applications: Provincial Nomination Program and Express Entry.
My questions are :
1- Am I eligible to count that time period when I had no status when applying for Citizenship ?
2- Am I considered a protected person since a removal order was not issued ?
3- I was proactive in my approach and tried many avenues to obtain PR before my work visa expired. Does that play in my favor ?
4- If that time doesn't count, does the 90 day period where I was required to restore my status count?
Thanks for your time
Rabie
I will be eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship soon, and I'm unsure of the time requirement based on the latest PR timeline changes - specifically the eligibility of some time where I did not have status in Canada.
I had a 15 month period (in the last 5 yrs preceding the application) between when my work permit expired, and when I received my PR - would these 15 months be considered for half day credit considering I had all sorts of Work Permit & PR applications in during that time frame ?
I was granted a 3 year post secondary work visa which was due to expire in September 2014. During my time with the company I applied for 3 different applications: to extend my work permit, bridge my work permit through the company via an LMIA, and for the Provincial Nomination Program (I applied for all 3 applications in January 2014). The work permit was rejected and the LMIA was denied in November 2014 and I had 90 days to restore my status in Canada. My employer was forced to terminate my contract. As a Syrian passport holder, a removal order was never issued and I was also unable to restore my status.
The Express Entry stream was introduced in 2015 and I was eligible to apply in March, which I did. I waited the 6 months period and never heard back on the status of my application. I hired an immigration consultant who recommended to apply for PR through the H&C stream. I applied in October 2015 and obtained my PR in February 16, 2016. I immediately cancelled all outstanding applications: Provincial Nomination Program and Express Entry.
My questions are :
1- Am I eligible to count that time period when I had no status when applying for Citizenship ?
2- Am I considered a protected person since a removal order was not issued ?
3- I was proactive in my approach and tried many avenues to obtain PR before my work visa expired. Does that play in my favor ?
4- If that time doesn't count, does the 90 day period where I was required to restore my status count?
Thanks for your time
Rabie
