Permanent Residency –> Citizenship???

[BAK123]

Anyone have any knowledge or experience with the following?

I have been in Canada the last 4 years and got my PR around aug/sept 2013. I will be able to apply for Canadian citizenship in aug/sept 2015 (2 yrs with permanent residency & time before that).

How do I prove I was in Canada during the 2 yrs if I do not work and have nothing from the tax man??

I have some old t4`s before I got PR but have been unemployed for the last year. I have bills, rent receipts etc. but will that suffice? I have a lot of savings that I am comfortably living off but uncertain if bills and rent receipts and letters from friends etc. will be enough to prove I was in Canada?

Can anyone assist with my concern??

 

[scylla]

You should still be filing taxes even if you haven't worked. If there are years you were in Canada and didn't file taxes - you should go back and file them.

FYI - there is a bill in front of the Canadian Senate right now that is recommending citizenship residency rules be changed to 4 years residency out of 6 - and that any time spent in Canada before becoming a PR not count towards this total. It's extremely likely this bill is going to be approved - possibly as early as next week. If you want more information - check out the Citizenship section of this forum.

 

[BAK123]

Ok, ill look into filing taxes even if I have no income at all which I never heard of before. That would be a good way of proving I am in Canada!! I have always filed my taxes from the previous years.

I had heard about that 6 months ago and was actually wondering where that had gone or if it was still being debated. Felt at the time that it would be passed alright. Not sure if there will be "a go forward date", as in - if you already have residency or have it from a certain date that you wont be affected??

 

[zardoz]

Ok, ill look into filing taxes even if I have no income at all which I never heard of before. That would be a good way of proving I am in Canada!! I have always filed my taxes from the previous years.

I had heard about that 6 months ago and was actually wondering where that had gone or if it was still being debated. Felt at the time that it would be passed alright. Not sure if there will be "a go forward date", as in - if you already have residency or have it from a certain date that you wont be affected??

There is nothing in the Bill to indicate that this will be the case.

 

[Msafiri]

Anyone have any knowledge or experience with the following?

I have been in Canada the last 4 years and got my PR around aug/sept 2013. I will be able to apply for Canadian citizenship in aug/sept 2015 (2 yrs with permanent residency & time before that).

How do I prove I was in Canada during the 2 yrs if I do not work and have nothing from the tax man??

I have some old t4`s before I got PR but have been unemployed for the last year. I have bills, rent receipts etc. but will that suffice? I have a lot of savings that I am comfortably living off but uncertain if bills and rent receipts and letters from friends etc. will be enough to prove I was in Canada?

Can anyone assist with my concern??

1. Bill C-24 received Royal Assent and became law Thursday June 19, 2014 having passed its final reading in the Senate within 3 days! The increased physical presence as residence (4/6 years) provisions will be enacted in one year as per released statement by CIC Minister. So forget about the 3 years you will need 4.

2. The new Citizenship Act requires you to comply with provisions of the Income Tax Act and its almost impossible to have a reason not to file. If you don't file your application will get extra attention.

3. Filing taxes is not conclusive proof of physical presence in Canada. If you have no employment then volunteering/education can be considered in reviewing residency. Expect CIC to want to see the type and source of the funds you have to survive 4 years without working.

4. Letters can be made up...you need formal lease agreements and the landlord better be declaring the income to CRA to enable cross referencing. Your list of evidence is 'passive' - you can have these things without being in Canada...you need 'active' presence evidence e.g. record of provincial health billing for any visits to the doctor, dentists receipts, opticians receipts since its most likely you getting that flu shot and not your cousin/ best friend etc.

5. If you are not working full time CIC won't be passing your file on to test schedule without understanding and believing what you are doing in the 4 years!

 

[BAK123]

Citizenship applicants will need to be physically present in Canada for a total of four out of their last six years.


The 4 years out of the last 6 years - is it 4 yrs just being physically present or 4 yrs with permanent residency before you can apply?

 

[zardoz]

Citizenship applicants will need to be physically present in Canada for a total of four out of their last six years.


The 4 years out of the last 6 years - is it 4 yrs just being physically present or 4 yrs with permanent residency before you can apply?

Both. You must be physically present AND a permanent resident for all that time.