Gaining Canadian Citizenship after becoming a US LPR - Success!

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

Just now, jpfashizzle said:

Sorry @Crazy Cat, Can you please elaborate/specify your question. 

Is there a requirement to report it to USCIS? 

[jpfashizzle 9]

1 hour ago, Maverick_TO said:

BLS always makes bold claims on their processing time. However, CGI Toronto is the most efficient of the lot, and you could get lucky. My friends have had to wait an average of 2-2.5 months on the Renunciation Certificate and then another 2 months for the OCI (everything processed by BLS Brampton and CGI Toronto). Interestingly, this trend has been fairly recent - applications were sent early 2022

 

I guess I lucked out with both the Renunciation Certificate and the OCI - I applied for both from within the US (CGI - NY was the outpost that processed my application)

 

Good luck!

NK

The problem I faced with your method is:

1. When you go to the PassportIndia.gov.in website, it asks the Country you've gained Citizenship from, and I selected 'Canada' (THAT is what put the Toronto Consulate in my form.

2. When I entered my current address (which of course is in the US) , it took me to the Houston Consulate page/instructions 😡😟

3. So basically, I had: a CGI Application specifying Toronto Consulate, and a Renunciation Application meant for the Houston Consulate

[jpfashizzle 9]

4 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Is there a requirement to report it to USCIS? 

Not entirely sure (there is no specific process from USCIS for the specific case that many on this thread are faced with). 

 

@Kai G. Llewellyn / @Maverick_TO and I are trying to decipher how to notify USCIS, only to ensure that we have been proactively and completely clear with them so as to not face any issues in the future. 

[Maverick_TO 2]

15 minutes ago, jpfashizzle said:

The problem I faced with your method is:

1. When you go to the PassportIndia.gov.in website, it asks the Country you've gained Citizenship from, and I selected 'Canada' (THAT is what put the Toronto Consulate in my form.

2. When I entered my current address (which of course is in the US) , it took me to the Houston Consulate page/instructions 😡😟

3. So basically, I had: a CGI Application specifying Toronto Consulate, and a Renunciation Application meant for the Houston Consulate

Ah, you probably didn't select the right jurisdiction for your renunciation application. It happened to me as well considering that I had an older account that I tried to reuse and it was registered with the CGI-Toronto. When I filled out the form initially and printed it out, I realized the mistake right away since the form said CGI-Toronto on the top. I corrected the jurisdiction and the location I was applying from North America-US and I was able to fill out the right form - addressed to CGI-NY. So, even though I submitted the renunciation (upon obtaining Canadian citizenship) they were able to process the application based on my location and status in the US as a LPR

[jpfashizzle 9]

2 hours ago, Maverick_TO said:

Ah, you probably didn't select the right jurisdiction for your renunciation application. It happened to me as well considering that I had an older account that I tried to reuse and it was registered with the CGI-Toronto. When I filled out the form initially and printed it out, I realized the mistake right away since the form said CGI-Toronto on the top. I corrected the jurisdiction and the location I was applying from North America-US and I was able to fill out the right form - addressed to CGI-NY. So, even though I submitted the renunciation (upon obtaining Canadian citizenship) they were able to process the application based on my location and status in the US as a LPR

Maybe I did do something wrong. When I go to the website, I don't have the option to select the Jurisdiction - I am simply asked for the New Passport/Citizenship Nationality, which because it is Canadian, it automatically gives me the Toronto form. 

 

Anyhow hopefully I get the Renunciation Certificate ASAP, so that I can try your method for the OCI!

 

[VIR CHAMP 25]

On 4/3/2023 at 10:11 AM, Maverick_TO said:

Hi @VIR CHAMP

 

Can you describe what the issue was when you applied for the renunciation? I filled out my application form, but since the passport was issued in Canada, the application form defaults to the Consulate in Canada. Was this the same issue you encountered?

 

Many thanks,

NK

Yes, that was the issue. They advised me to creat a new account using correct jurisdiction 

[VIR CHAMP 25]

On 6/21/2023 at 3:31 PM, jpfashizzle said:

Maybe I did do something wrong. When I go to the website, I don't have the option to select the Jurisdiction - I am simply asked for the New Passport/Citizenship Nationality, which because it is Canadian, it automatically gives me the Toronto form. 

 

Anyhow hopefully I get the Renunciation Certificate ASAP, so that I can try your method for the OCI!

 

So I had same issue. You have to create brand new account. Same email address worked, just use different password 

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

I am hoping someone on this thread may have some insight on my situation.

 

I am a Canadian PR, US LPR living in the US. I have applied for Canadian citizenship, at DM stage and I am in queue for oath. I am expecting oath invite in the next few weeks.

 

For a bunch of reasons which I won’t bore you with, I would like to request an in-person oath in October. The oath would then take place in Missisauga and logistically, it would make sense for me to fly there.

 

So here is my problem. My PR card expires August 23. I was unable to renew my PR card because I do not have a residential address in Canada.

 

I do know that green card holders can board a plane to Canada with their greencard and non-Canadian passport. I have however heard rumours that there might be issues with this if the airline asks you if you are PR. I wanted to verify if this is a real concern with an actual risk of happening.

 

Does anyone here have any experience with this? 
 

@Maverick_TO @Kai G. Llewellyn @VIR CHAMP @jpfashizzle

Edited July 22, 2023 by From_CAN_2_US

[Kai G. Llewellyn 838]

13 hours ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

I am hoping someone on this thread may have some insight on my situation.

 

I am a Canadian PR, US LPR living in the US. I have applied for Canadian citizenship, at DM stage and I am in queue for oath. I am expecting oath invite in the next few weeks.

 

For a bunch of reasons which I won’t bore you with, I would like to request an in-person oath in October. The oath would then take place in Missisauga and logistically, it would make sense for me to fly there.

 

So here is my problem. My PR card expires August 23. I was unable to renew my PR card because I do not have a residential address in Canada.

 

I do know that green card holders can board a plane to Canada with their greencard and non-Canadian passport. I have however heard rumours that there might be issues with this if the airline asks you if you are PR. I wanted to verify if this is a real concern with an actual risk of happening.

 

Does anyone here have any experience with this? 
 

@Maverick_TO @Kai G. Llewellyn @VIR CHAMP @jpfashizzle

 

Why do you have to admit to the airline you're a PR? There's no risk of misrepresentation issues as it's not a representation you're making to Canadian immigration authorities. One you get in front of a CBSA officer, claim you're a PR and that you boarded using a green card. Done deal. I don't believe airlines can verify PR status beyond the card anyways.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

3 hours ago, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

 

Why do you have to admit to the airline you're a PR? There's no risk of misrepresentation issues as it's not a representation you're making to Canadian immigration authorities. One you get in front of a CBSA officer, claim you're a PR and that you boarded using a green card. Done deal. I don't believe airlines can verify PR status beyond the card anyways.

Yeah, I don’t intend to volunteer that I am a PR. I am worried about a situation where they may ask me if I am a Canadian PR specifically. Do I lie? I am a pretty bad liar… not sure I can pull it off.

 

I know people with US passports get waived through, but I have an Indian passport and despite my green card, wondering if that can draw extra scrutiny and lead them to asking more questions.

 

 

[Kai G. Llewellyn 838]

On 7/22/2023 at 11:33 AM, From_CAN_2_US said:

Yeah, I don’t intend to volunteer that I am a PR. I am worried about a situation where they may ask me if I am a Canadian PR specifically. Do I lie? I am a pretty bad liar… not sure I can pull it off.

 

I know people with US passports get waived through, but I have an Indian passport and despite my green card, wondering if that can draw extra scrutiny and lead them to asking more questions.

 

 

I'd maintain that you have a green card and a foreign passport and that alone is sufficient to be boarded. Dodge the question.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

I am happy to report that I was successful in becoming a Canadian citizen last week. I attended an in-person oath in Missisauga last week.

 

It may come as a surprise for some, but as I was in communication with the missisauga office, they informed me (without any prompt from my end) that if I wish I could be scheduled for a virtual oath and be able to do that while in the US. Apparently the requirement special permission previously required by IRCC for candidates to take the oath abroad has recently been removed and we are now free to take oath while abroad.

 

Despite this, I personally chose to travel to Canada to attend the oath in person.

 

While in Canada I applied for my passport by mail paying the $260 fee so it can be delivered to me in the US.

 

Thanks @Kai G. Llewellyn for the advice and support along this journey.

 

I am now looking towards next steps of renunciation of Indian citizenship and OCI application and will likely have questions. Hopefully people such as @Maverick_TO would be able to help.

 

I also intend to call Jim Hacking at some point to ask how to inform USCIS of my change of citizenship.

 

Edited August 24, 2023 by From_CAN_2_US

[mam521 2,113]

21 hours ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

I am happy to report that I was successful in becoming a Canadian citizen last week. I attended an in-person oath in Missisauga last week.

 

It may come as a surprise for some, but as I was in communication with the missisauga office, they informed me (without any prompt from my end) that if I wish I could be scheduled for a virtual oath and be able to do that while in the US. Apparently the requirement special permission previously required by IRCC for candidates to take the oath abroad has recently been removed and we are now free to take oath while abroad.

 

Despite this, I personally chose to travel to Canada to attend the oath in person.

 

While in Canada I applied for my passport by mail paying the $260 fee so it can be delivered to me in the US.

 

Thanks @Kai G. Llewellyn for the advice and support along this journey.

 

I am now looking towards next steps of renunciation of Indian citizenship and OCI application and will likely have questions. Hopefully people such as @Maverick_TO would be able to help.

 

I also intend to call Jim Hacking at some point to ask how to inform USCIS of my change of citizenship.

 

Congrats!

 

You'll probably be happy that you did your oath in Canada.  In my experience, it's treated as a pretty big deal.  You're likely to be disappointed in the US when you cross that bridge because it had a much more cattle'esque and not so personal feeling.  

[Maverick_TO 2]

On 8/24/2023 at 11:49 AM, From_CAN_2_US said:

I am happy to report that I was successful in becoming a Canadian citizen last week. I attended an in-person oath in Missisauga last week.

 

It may come as a surprise for some, but as I was in communication with the missisauga office, they informed me (without any prompt from my end) that if I wish I could be scheduled for a virtual oath and be able to do that while in the US. Apparently the requirement special permission previously required by IRCC for candidates to take the oath abroad has recently been removed and we are now free to take oath while abroad.

 

Despite this, I personally chose to travel to Canada to attend the oath in person.

 

While in Canada I applied for my passport by mail paying the $260 fee so it can be delivered to me in the US.

 

Thanks @Kai G. Llewellyn for the advice and support along this journey.

 

I am now looking towards next steps of renunciation of Indian citizenship and OCI application and will likely have questions. Hopefully people such as @Maverick_TO would be able to help.

 

I also intend to call Jim Hacking at some point to ask how to inform USCIS of my change of citizenship.

 

 

Many congratulations on the culmination of your citizenship process! As for applying for the Renunciation Certificate and OCI, you will need to wait till you receive both the Canadian passport and the citizenship certificate (assuming they held your citizenship certificate for the passport application). The process for both the renunciaion certificate and OCI is far simpler from within the US than Canada.

 

On another note, considering that you were already in Canada for the oath, you could have applied for an expedited processing for the passport and gotten it issued in Canada whilst you were still there

 

Do keep us posted if your hear about any specifics on updating the USCIS about the Canadian citizenship

 

Good Luck!

NK

 

Edited August 25, 2023 by Maverick_TO

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

5 hours ago, mam521 said:

Congrats!

 

You'll probably be happy that you did your oath in Canada.  In my experience, it's treated as a pretty big deal.  You're likely to be disappointed in the US when you cross that bridge because it had a much more cattle'esque and not so personal feeling.  

Thank you!

 

Yes, I enjoyed the ceremony. The room where it was held was rather underwhelming, but like everything about Canada, the people made it special. The judge was an immigrant from Malaysia himself, and spoke a lot about kindness, diversity, inclusion, tolerance, equitability and reconciliation (for First Nations). I appreciated how those were stressed to us as new citizens to be Canadian values. 

 

The judge also took the time to exchange a few words with every candidate. He remembered what each one did and made several call outs to us during the ceremony and in his speeches. Made us feel appreciated. He also gave special mentions to the mothers and children.

 

Really felt proud, happy and grateful to be welcomed into the Canadian fraternity in that way. Was a treat for my American husband too. He wore a maple leaf pin and got to sing "O Canada."

 

I heard the US one is very business-like.