Can my husband become a Canadian citizen?

[idocher 0]

Hello,

I am a Canadian citizen. I am a permanent resident of the US (currently have my US 10 year green card, which I obtained after marrying my husband who is a US citizen). I was wondering if any of you know if it is possible for him to get Canadian citizenship while we are living in the US? We are thinking we might move back to Canada in the future and it would be so much easier if he could work right away etc...

Thanks!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Don't think so - it will pretty much be the reverse of what you did to come to the US. Need permanent residency in Canada before he can apply for citizenship.

Hopefully someone can link you to a thread or CDN immigration forum which would explain it.

[Misty1979 0]

I did a search, and found this site:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigrati...onsorship-b5.0/

It seems to be basically the equivalent of Visajourney, so I would try posting there and seeing what they have to say

[trailmix 77]

First he has to become a permanent resident - then after three years of living there he can apply for Citizenship.

Permanent resident status

To become a Canadian citizen, you must have permanent resident status in Canada, and that status must not be in doubt. This means you must not be the subject of an immigration investigation, an immigration inquiry or a removal order (an order from Canadian officials to leave Canada).

Time lived in Canada

To become Canadian citizens, adults must have lived in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) in the past four years before applying. Children do not need to meet this requirement.

You may be able to count time you spent in Canada before you became a permanent resident if that time falls within the four-year period. link

Edited April 29, 2009 by trailmix

[scandal 951]

Hello,

I am a Canadian citizen. I am a permanent resident of the US (currently have my US 10 year green card, which I obtained after marrying my husband who is a US citizen). I was wondering if any of you know if it is possible for him to get Canadian citizenship while we are living in the US? We are thinking we might move back to Canada in the future and it would be so much easier if he could work right away etc...

Thanks!

Since your interest is in having him able to work right away should you move to Canada, you don't need to obtain Canadian citizenship - PR status is sufficient for your needs (it's like a US Green card). And, the good news is that Canada, unlike the US, does put you through this messy intermediate stage of filing for EAD to get a temporary work permit until your green card comes in. Once you enter Canada as a PR, you can get a SIN card and work immediately, no waiting required. Also no need for something like AP for travel purposes. You are not held hostage in the country waiting for a travel document. (At least - that's how it was in 1991 when I put my then-wife through the process of immigrating to Canada. It may have changed in the past 18 years, but I don't believe it has. I've been through a number of these systems. I'm a dual US/Canadian citizen who brought my then-wife to Canada in 91, and then brought same wife and kids to US through a DCF filing in 1999, and am now bringing my fiancee from Thailand to US on K-1.)

[trailmix 77]

Hello,

I am a Canadian citizen. I am a permanent resident of the US (currently have my US 10 year green card, which I obtained after marrying my husband who is a US citizen). I was wondering if any of you know if it is possible for him to get Canadian citizenship while we are living in the US? We are thinking we might move back to Canada in the future and it would be so much easier if he could work right away etc...

Thanks!

Since your interest is in having him able to work right away should you move to Canada, you don't need to obtain Canadian citizenship - PR status is sufficient for your needs (it's like a US Green card). And, the good news is that Canada, unlike the US, does put you through this messy intermediate stage of filing for EAD to get a temporary work permit until your green card comes in. Once you enter Canada as a PR, you can get a SIN card and work immediately, no waiting required. Also no need for something like AP for travel purposes. You are not held hostage in the country waiting for a travel document. (At least - that's how it was in 1991 when I put my then-wife through the process of immigrating to Canada. It may have changed in the past 18 years, but I don't believe it has. I've been through a number of these systems. I'm a dual US/Canadian citizen who brought my then-wife to Canada in 91, and then brought same wife and kids to US through a DCF filing in 1999, and am now bringing my fiancee from Thailand to US on K-1.)

While what you say is still true - in that you can work right away etc, when you have applied outside Canada for PR - you cannot compare the Canadian family immigration process to the U.S. K visa process really - it's apples and oranges.

[Reba 2]

They're both still fruits though!

For info on Canadian immigration see also http://roadtocanada.com