Is there any problem with a PR who does not intend to get citizenship later?

[dominokitty]

My husband is already a dual citizen (French and Austrian due to his parents, who were also from 2 different countries).
The problem is, Austria (his country of residence for his whole life) doesn't allow dual citizenship without special permission from the government. Very few people are ever granted the ability to have dual citizenship with Austria unless it is by birth. I can not become an Austrian citizen one day without renouncing my Canadian citizenship, which is NOT going to happen, and he won't be able to get Canadian citizenship without renouncing his Austrian citizenship.

So, we're not sure what to do when he gets his PR. It's very important to us that he keeps a European passport, it opens a lot of doors for us and I one day would like to have some sort of status in Europe as well, for the freedom of movement etc. It makes it a lot easier to visit family and such, and when we have kids we plan on bringing them back to visit their grandparents in Austria and France often. Our future children will have dual (or maybe even triple??? We're not sure on that) citizenship by birth.

He could hypothetically speaking renounce his Austrian citizenship and keep his French citizenship to become a Canadian citizen as well, but that's not ideal and would probably require him to move back to France for a year to get a new French passport, since the one he has is long expired..

So I guess my question is this: what are the legal differences between a permanent resident and a citizen in Canada? Will he be able to vote here? Is there a risk of him being removed from Canada for some reason if he never gets citizenship? Do PR need to apply for citizenship eventually if they remain in Canada?

What would you do in our unique situation? We plan on living in Canada permanently but want to maintain freedom of movement within the Schengen zone so we can visit family easily. It's very important for my husband to keep his European citizenship for this reason and I would like to acquire family status in Europe as well one day so that we don't have difficulties travelling with our future children.

 

[scylla]

There's no obligation for him to get citizenship. He can remain a PR.

Yes - there are certainly differences. PRs can't vote for one.

 

[MissRepresentation]

Will he be able to vote here? Not as a PR.
Is there a risk of him being removed from Canada for some reason if he never gets citizenship? No, he can't be removed for not becoming a citizen
Do PR need to apply for citizenship eventually if they remain in Canada? No, he'll just need to keep renewing his PR status every 5 years. There are many permanent residents who do not want citizenship.
What would you do in our unique situation? We're in a similar situation and no, I'd never give up a European passport. I think it's wise not to burn any bridges because you never know what the future will bring.

 

[keesio]

There are many people who choose not to pursue citizenship and have remained in Canada as a PR for many years... many decades even. It is normally not an issue.

There are a few drawbacks. As other mentioned, PRs can't vote. A PR also has to live in Canada at least 730 days out of a 5 year period, though if a PR lives with a Canadian spouse outside Canada, it will count towards those 730 days. Note that you don't have to renew your PR status every 5 years... it is the PR card itself that needs to renewed (like renewing a passport).

You can also lose your PR status if convicted of serious felonies.

PRs are also excluded from certain government jobs and positions.

Also PRs are not covered under NAFTA (regarding job opportunities in the USA)

 

[AshleyAnne]

Will he be able to vote here? Not as a PR.
Is there a risk of him being removed from Canada for some reason if he never gets citizenship? No, he can't be removed for not becoming a citizen
Do PR need to apply for citizenship eventually if they remain in Canada? No, he'll just need to keep renewing his PR status every 5 years. There are many permanent residents who do not want citizenship.
What would you do in our unique situation? We're in a similar situation and no, I'd never give up a European passport. I think it's wise not to burn any bridges because you never know what the future will bring.

When you re apply I'm assuming it is just a simple process? or do you have to go through the entire thing again?

 

[keesio]

When you re apply I'm assuming it is just a simple process? or do you have to go through the entire thing again?

You mean renewing your PR? It is a usually a much simpler and shorter process than trying to first become a PR. But if CIC is not sure if you meet the required 2 our of 5 years requirement, then it can get a little hairy.

 

[chakrab]

make sure to record every vacation and trips. you will need to show it every 5 years.