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rex_wu

Newbie
May 26, 2011
2
0
Hello members,
I'm a student at University of Waterloo, just graduated this April. I'm a permanent resident since 2004. Now I'm planning to file my citizenship application.
However, I found I did not meet the 1095-day rule, with 37 days short. Because my academic program at UWaterloo is Co-operative education. I have to finish five work terms (each work term is about 4-month) in order to graduate. Once I'm matched with a job, I have to take it due to the university policy. I worked abroad for three work terms: two in China and one in the U.S. The university can provide me some supporting documents. My home is in Waterloo and my mom is a Canadian citizen. My question is will the judge consider my case as an exception?
Any advice will be appreciated!
 
Don't apply until you meet 1095 days.
 
It is possible that they will give you an exception to the rule but your application will be processed very very slowly. An interview with a judge can add 1-2 years to your processing time. It would likely be faster for you to wait until you meet the requirements and apply then.
 
Leon said:
It is possible that they will give you an exception to the rule but your application will be processed very very slowly. An interview with a judge can add 1-2 years to your processing time. It would likely be faster for you to wait until you meet the requirements and apply then.

Thanks you for your advice! It's true that I should wait longer. But I'm going to graduate school in the States soon, and I don't have too much choice now. I think it's a matter of fact whether I can afford for the long waiting..
 
Are you planning on going to Canada again when you complete your school in the US? If you do, then it doesn't really matter how long your citizenship application takes because your are in Canada anyway and your PR is safe. If you don't, then you would have a problem convincing a citizenship judge in 1 or 2 years when you get your interview that your home is in Canada and that they should give you citizenship even though you are short on the days if you have not been living in Canada since you applied.
 
I would say wait and then apply and you can leave for grad school after that. 37 days is not a whole lot... even if you have to go to grad school and come back for short breaks until you have the requisite 1095 days in 4 years.
 
What's the worst thing that will happen if OP applies now? It will take longer to process? If OP finds they meet the 1095 days later, can they withdrawal first application and apply again at that time?