Easiest proof of residency?

[wyho007]

Newly landed immigrant here, I've paid my dues when collecting evidence for my immigration application. It was a pain!

Wondering what kind of proof do I need to proof my physical residency when it's time for me to apply for my citizenship? I know the easiest is to provide employment proof. What if I can't find work/don't work the whole time (ie. 4-5 years)? Is credit card bills the next easiest proof one can provide if being questioned?

There's no need for signatures at the payment counters everywhere now, so not sure if that's strong evidence of physical presence in the country for CIC anymore. Electricity/cell phone bills or any form of members are the same, one doesn't need to physically reside in the country to have those.

 

[pie_vancouver]

Rental agreement

 

[steaky]

Rental agreement

Still people don't need to physically reside in Canada to have that.

I would say prinout from a Canadian medical doctor. I think OP is writing on behalf of his wife. As a woman, regular visits to a gynaecology specialist or family doctor is very common. Since they have a dog, they can try use the license bill/receipt too.

 

[emamabd]

Newly landed immigrant here, I've paid my dues when collecting evidence for my immigration application. It was a pain!

Wondering what kind of proof do I need to proof my physical residency when it's time for me to apply for my citizenship? I know the easiest is to provide employment proof. What if I can't find work/don't work the whole time (ie. 4-5 years)? Is credit card bills the next easiest proof one can provide if being questioned?

There's no need for signatures at the payment counters everywhere now, so not sure if that's strong evidence of physical presence in the country for CIC anymore. Electricity/cell phone bills or any form of members are the same, one doesn't need to physically reside in the country to have those.

An alternative to employment would be attending courses/programs at a university, or college, language classes...any form of studies that require "in class attendance" would help in proving residency.

 

[wyho007]

An alternative to employment would be attending courses/programs at a university, or college, language classes...any form of studies that require "in class attendance" would help in proving residency.

Nope. Not planning to take any classes. Even so, it will be just some hobby classes which give no transcript or attendance proof.

Wondering how landed immigrants deal with this issue now. But doesn't the PR card trace one's record entering the country? So, if someone can show air ticket proofs of leaving the country (for a set period) or each PR entry record, will that work?

 

[wyho007]

Still people don't need to physically reside in Canada to have that.

I would say prinout from a Canadian medical doctor. I think OP is writing on behalf of his wife. As a woman, regular visits to a gynaecology specialist or family doctor is very common. Since they have a dog, they can try use the license bill/receipt too.

The license bill/receipt is only once annually. Also, we are pretty healthy so may only go to see the doctor once a year for regular checkups.

In the past, credit card bills that show local spending should work.

 

[pie_vancouver]

Still people don't need to physically reside in Canada to have that.

Do you mean other people spend at least $1000 a month for rental, but they are not here? Kinda waste of money for an average person like me.

 

[steaky]

Do you mean other people spend at least $1000 a month for rental, but they are not here? Kinda waste of money for an average person like me.

If you look at the empty homes situation in Vancouver, those homes are worth at least half a million to multi million dollars sitting empty for most of the year.

 

[steaky]

The license bill/receipt is only once annually. Also, we are pretty healthy so may only go to see the doctor once a year for regular checkups.

In the past, credit card bills that show local spending should work.

How about your dog? Vet bills and insurance might work too.

 

[wyho007]

How about your dog? Vet bills and insurance might work too.

She's just 2 years old and healthy. Don't see any need to take her to the vet more than once every 2 years. We take very good care of her.

 

[wyho007]

If you look at the empty homes situation in Vancouver, those homes are worth at least half a million to multi million dollars sitting empty for most of the year.

I think the only way to make everyone's life easier is to record both exits and entries for all PR card holders. Not only will this relief the landed immigrants a headache but will also save a lot of administrative costs of CIC in investigations, clarifying RQs, etc. Or, are these all about creating jobs locally?

 

[steaky]

I think the only way to make everyone's life easier is to record both exits and entries for all PR card holders. Not only will this relief the landed immigrants a headache but will also save a lot of administrative costs of CIC in investigations, clarifying RQs, etc. Or, are these all about creating jobs locally?

This is available to CIC when you check "yes" on page 3 of the PR application form:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agence/reports-rapports/pia-efvp/atip-aiprp/thr-rav-eng.html

However, this does not show that the PR is accompanying his/her Canadian spouse or PR parent outside Canada to maintain the PR residency obligation.

 

[emamabd]

Nope. Not planning to take any classes. Even so, it will be just some hobby classes which give no transcript or attendance proof.

Wondering how landed immigrants deal with this issue now. But doesn't the PR card trace one's record entering the country? So, if someone can show air ticket proofs of leaving the country (for a set period) or each PR entry record, will that work?

To be honest i don't fully understand how they track it...when you don't meet an immigration officer while leaving and entering the country at the airport. Some have mentioned that - the airline records/data is fed to the system so CBSA has the data of who departed and who came back.The land borders are tricky too (when you travel using your own vehicle), but then again - they say the US and Canadian authorities share the records, so technically the "entries and exits" should be available to CBSA...

But with that said, if the above is true, then why are we asked to prove residency - as by definition there is no "requirement" that "a PR must work" or "must study in Canada"....its only "physical presence" that is needed. To conclude...i don't know, but to be on the safe side collect whatever evidence you can.

 

[cooldoc80]

To be honest i don't fully understand how they track it...when you don't meet an immigration officer while leaving and entering the country at the airport. Some have mentioned that - the airline records/data is fed to the system so CBSA has the data of who departed and who came back.The land borders are tricky too (when you travel using your own vehicle), but then again - they say the US and Canadian authorities share the records, so technically the "entries and exits" should be available to CBSA...

But with that said, if the above is true, then why are we asked to prove residency - as by definition there is no "requirement" that "a PR must work" or "must study in Canada"....its only "physical presence" that is needed. To conclude...i don't know, but to be on the safe side collect whatever evidence you can.

U r absolutely right

 

[DEEPCUR]

It's such a shame that Canada doesn't have exit tracking system.. US has exit information automatically captured when someone checks in for a foreign flight. One call pull entire travel history associated with the passport online in cbp website just by giving name, dob and passport number. Even developing countries like India have manual tracking of it. They put an exit stamp in passport. Wondering what stops canada from implementing some system to track exits.