Waiver for physical presence in Canada for time spent just before the Covid pandemic

[shishirkona]

Hi,

Is it worth it to apply for a waiver for time spent in Canada just before the covid pandemic started (outside of 5 years immediately preceding application) because I got stuck at the country of origin due to covid restrictions and flight cancellations and couldnt come back? Does anyone have a similar experience? What are my chances of having the waiver accepted?

 

[armoured]

Hi,

Is it worth it to apply for a waiver for time spent in Canada just before the covid pandemic started (outside of 5 years immediately preceding application) because I got stuck at the country of origin due to covid restrictions and flight cancellations and couldnt come back? Does anyone have a similar experience? What are my chances of having the waiver accepted?

I don't even understand what you're asking for a waiver from.

You want to count time in Canada prior to the five year period ... because covid?

Short answer - no. There's no such thing provided for in law, and zero chance they're going to do it.

[There is the general "ask the minister to grant citizenship on exceptional basis" - and that's going to take longer and still going to be denied. IMO.]

 

[scylla]

Hi,

Is it worth it to apply for a waiver for time spent in Canada just before the covid pandemic started (outside of 5 years immediately preceding application) because I got stuck at the country of origin due to covid restrictions and flight cancellations and couldnt come back? Does anyone have a similar experience? What are my chances of having the waiver accepted?

There is zero chance a waiver will be accepted. There is no point in applying and your request will not be considered.

 

[YVR123]

Hi,

Is it worth it to apply for a waiver for time spent in Canada just before the covid pandemic started (outside of 5 years immediately preceding application) because I got stuck at the country of origin due to covid restrictions and flight cancellations and couldnt come back? Does anyone have a similar experience? What are my chances of having the waiver accepted?

I have never heard of such "waiver".

Only cases of exception is for RO for PR to apply for PTRD under H&C and staying that days stuck during COVID.
But since COVID been over for so long, I don't see that being used for PRTD H&C posts here any more.

Physical presence for citizenship application is usually very straight forward. Days inside Canada (as PR) counts. Day inside Canada in temporary resident status counts for half a day up to 1 year.

 

[Seym]

Section 5(4) of the citizenship act allows the minister to grant citizenship to people to "reward services of exceptional value to Canada".
So, if you're the fastest 100m runner on earth, a Nobel prize winner affiliated to a Canadian university, or if you save PM Carney's life during a terrorist attack, you may have a chance to become a citizen with less than 1095 days of physical . Short of that, see the answers above.

 

[shishirkona]

My total physical presence is more than the required number but I’m wondering if a waiver will allow me to count about 5 months (that I need for fulfilling the physical presence requirement) before the covid pandemic that’s now beyond the immediately preceding 5 years before the application but only by a few months because my travel plans got cancelled because of the pandemic restrictions.

 

[armoured]

My total physical presence is more than the required number but I’m wondering if a waiver will allow me to count about 5 months (that I need for fulfilling the physical presence requirement) before the covid pandemic that’s now beyond the immediately preceding 5 years before the application but only by a few months because my travel plans got cancelled because of the pandemic restrictions.

Physical presence counts only days in Canada in the five years (to the day) preceding your citizenship application. Days before that - more than five years ago - do not count.

In case any doubt: return to previous sentence.