Gaining Canadian Citizenship after becoming a US LPR - Success!

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

1 hour ago, Maverick_TO said:

 

Many congratulations on the culmination of your citizenship process!

 

Thank you!

 

 

1 hour ago, Maverick_TO said:

 

The process for both the renunciaion certificate and OCI is far simpler from within the US than Canada.

Really? Could you explain what is the difference?

 

1 hour ago, Maverick_TO said:

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

Yeah, I had considered that. But I was in Mississauga, not down town Toronto. I was unfamiliar with the area, and did not really have the time to wait in line at the passport office. So I mailed in my application by Canadapost saving on some international courier charges and risks.

 

1 hour ago, Maverick_TO said:

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

Will do! I think I will call Jim Hacking early next week.

 

[Maverick_TO 2]

21 hours ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Really? Could you explain what is the difference?

 

For starters, the process is more streamlined. While both countries leverage a third party handling service (BLS/VFS), the one in the US (VFS) is much better. If you follow fill out the right set of forms (for the US), attach the right supporting documents and submit your application you should be fine. This is not the typical experience of people submitting the application(s) from within Canada - returned applications. unending delays, hopeless tracking capability for the applications to just list a few. Also, the processing timelines are way better in the US than Canada. 

 

 

[mam521 2,113]

On 8/25/2023 at 2:24 PM, From_CAN_2_US said:

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.  

What a lovely experience! 

 

Yes - when I naturalized here in the US in April, we all got hauled into a room, handed a package of papers (the oath, passport application, some other bits), told to stand and when the judge read the oath and got to the end, we had to say "I do" as in agree to the Oath.  Definitely not personal at all.  Hubs did his at a big auditorium and same thing - nothing personal.  Kind of a let down considering how long and challenging the US immigration journey is!

[dhruvroom 6]

Apologies if I am appearing a little dumb here.

 

I read the thread, Great Information! Thanks @mam521 for sharing.

 

My situation is a bit premature than what is being discussed and I am wondering if folks have some guidance for my situation.

 

Recently became Canadian citizen (was Indian citizen until last week). Same story, once I become Canadian citizen I can not retain my Indian passport as India doesn't allow dual citizenship.

 

I have an IR1 application in progress at MTL Embassy and I am expecting an interview letter in next 30 days. 

My question is, what would be the best way for me to notify the MTL Embassy/USCIS about this? 

So far the plan is to just take the Canadian passport with me to the interview LOL.

 

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

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

31 minutes ago, dhruvroom said:

Apologies if I am appearing a little dumb here.

 

I read the thread, Great Information! Thanks @mam521 for sharing.

 

My situation is a bit premature than what is being discussed and I am wondering if folks have some guidance for my situation.

 

Recently became Canadian citizen (was Indian citizen until last week). Same story, once I become Canadian citizen I can not retain my Indian passport as India doesn't allow dual citizenship.

 

I have an IR1 application in progress at MTL Embassy and I am expecting an interview letter in next 30 days. 

My question is, what would be the best way for me to notify the MTL Embassy/USCIS about this? 

So far the plan is to just take the Canadian passport with me to the interview LOL.

 

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

When you receive your interview invite:

 

1. Upload the new Canadian passport to the ceac portal. Also upload your citizenship certificate.

 

2. Take both your Canadian and Indian passport to the doctor for medical. Inform the doctor that your Canadian passport is the one you will be using going forward.

 

3. Take an amended DS-260 with your nationality updated as Canadian, and your new Canadian passport number. Highlight the changes and show it to the CO during your interview.

 

3. Take both Canadian and Indian passport for the interview and at every step (at entry, when they collect documents, during interview) inform them you are now a Canadian citizen, and the Canadian passport is the one you will be using.

 

I think they will take only your Canadian passport not your Indian one, and stamp that one for your IR1 visa.

 

Good luck! 

[dhruvroom 6]

7 hours ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

When you receive your interview invite:

 

1. Upload the new Canadian passport to the ceac portal. Also upload your citizenship certificate.

 

2. Take both your Canadian and Indian passport to the doctor for medical. Inform the doctor that your Canadian passport is the one you will be using going forward.

 

3. Take an amended DS-260 with your nationality updated as Canadian, and your new Canadian passport number. Highlight the changes and show it to the CO during your interview.

 

3. Take both Canadian and Indian passport for the interview and at every step (at entry, when they collect documents, during interview) inform them you are now a Canadian citizen, and the Canadian passport is the one you will be using.

 

I think they will take only your Canadian passport not your Indian one, and stamp that one for your IR1 visa.

 

Good luck! 

Thanks for your response!

I think what you said does makes sense however I have couple of specific questions regarding that:

 

1. Upload the new Canadian passport to the ceac portal. Also upload your citizenship certificate.

While uploading, should I select document type - OTHER OR PASSPORT BIOGRAPHIC PAGE?  the reason why I am asking is because I already have uploaded my Indian passport using PASSPORT BIOGRAPHIC PAGE when I applied.

 

2. Take both your Canadian and Indian passport to the doctor for medical. Inform the doctor that your Canadian passport is the one you will be using going forward.

Noted

 

3. Take an amended DS-260 with your nationality updated as Canadian, and your new Canadian passport number. Highlight the changes and show it to the CO during your interview.

By amend you mean I should update the current DS-260(which I submitted earlier) and highlight the amended part, print it and bring it with me. Correct?

 

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

16 minutes ago, dhruvroom said:

Thanks for your response!

I think what you said does makes sense however I have couple of specific questions regarding that:

 

1. Upload the new Canadian passport to the ceac portal. Also upload your citizenship certificate.

While uploading, should I select document type - OTHER OR PASSPORT BIOGRAPHIC PAGE?  the reason why I am asking is because I already have uploaded my Indian passport using PASSPORT BIOGRAPHIC PAGE when I applied.

 

2. Take both your Canadian and Indian passport to the doctor for medical. Inform the doctor that your Canadian passport is the one you will be using going forward.

Noted

 

3. Take an amended DS-260 with your nationality updated as Canadian, and your new Canadian passport number. Highlight the changes and show it to the CO during your interview.

By amend you mean I should update the current DS-260(which I submitted earlier) and highlight the amended part, print it and bring it with me. Correct?

 

1. I would choose passport bio page. I was not in your situation where I had a change in citizenship, but I got a new passport in my married name, and I think I chose bio page. I think I was able to upload the new passport, while the old approved one remained in the system.

 

3. Yeah, print out your old submitted DS-260 and mark up the changes and take it with you.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

3 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

1. I would choose passport bio page. I was not in your situation where I had a change in citizenship, but I got a new passport in my married name, and I think I chose bio page. I think I was able to upload the new passport, while the old approved one remained in the system.

 

3. Yeah, print out your old submitted DS-260 and mark up the changes and take it with you.

Additionally, if you manage to surrender your Indian passport before your interview, take the surrender certificate with you to the interview. I doubt you will need it, but if asked, you can show it to them to prove your Indian passport is no longer valid.

 

On second thoughts, best not to risk surrendering Indian passport right now if you haven't already done it yet. Things are uncertain at the embassy with the Canadian visa ban, and you may not get back your Indian passport back in time...

Edited September 27, 2023 by From_CAN_2_US
Afterthought

[dhruvroom 6]

1 hour ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

1. I would choose passport bio page. I was not in your situation where I had a change in citizenship, but I got a new passport in my married name, and I think I chose bio page. I think I was able to upload the new passport, while the old approved one remained in the system.

 

3. Yeah, print out your old submitted DS-260 and mark up the changes and take it with you.

 

1 hour ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Additionally, if you manage to surrender your Indian passport before your interview, take the surrender certificate with you to the interview. I doubt you will need it, but if asked, you can show it to them to prove your Indian passport is no longer valid.

 

On second thoughts, best not to risk surrendering Indian passport right now if you haven't already done it yet. Things are uncertain at the embassy with the Canadian visa ban, and you may not get back your Indian passport back in time...

 

Good advise! 

 

Thanks Again.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

On 8/26/2023 at 1:18 PM, Maverick_TO said:

 

@Maverick_TO @jpfashizzle @waterlooengineer

 

and any other former Indian citizens who surrendered their Indian passports in US after acquiring Canadian citizenship.

 

Could you please advise what the stamp that CGI put in your passport says? I surrendered mine to CGI NY through VFS and they put a stamp that states “as holder acquired USA citizenship.” I of course never claimed this, but this appears to have been done in error by CGI. The word USA is part of the stamp and so it maybe that it is not an error, and they have no other stamp so they put that for everyone. 
 

Anyway  only realised this error 9 months after I got that stamp. I contacted VFS and they asked to contact CGI NY which I have also done, but no response so far.

 

Could you please advise what your stamp says? 
 

It’s kind of scary because it looks like I claim to be a US citizen. I am also worried about how this will affect my OCI application.

[Ashtim 5]

On 6/8/2024 at 4:39 AM, From_CAN_2_US said:

@Maverick_TO @jpfashizzle @waterlooengineer

 

and any other former Indian citizens who surrendered their Indian passports in US after acquiring Canadian citizenship.

 

Could you please advise what the stamp that CGI put in your passport says? I surrendered mine to CGI NY through VFS and they put a stamp that states “as holder acquired USA citizenship.” I of course never claimed this, but this appears to have been done in error by CGI. The word USA is part of the stamp and so it maybe that it is not an error, and they have no other stamp so they put that for everyone. 
 

Anyway  only realised this error 9 months after I got that stamp. I contacted VFS and they asked to contact CGI NY which I have also done, but no response so far.

 

Could you please advise what your stamp says? 
 

It’s kind of scary because it looks like I claim to be a US citizen. I am also worried about how this will affect my OCI application.

I think mine said as holder acquired citizenship of Canada 

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

1 hour ago, Ashtim said:

I think mine said as holder acquired citizenship of Canada 

Thank you for your response. Did you surrendered at VFS US?

[tonythomas2050 0]

On 6/21/2023 at 12:31 PM, 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

@jpfashizzle @From_CAN_2_US please advise on my situation

 

i have got us LPR stamp on my indian passport and moved to USA last week. I have my oath coming next week and have not got my physical green card yet. i have online oath and need to be present in canada to take oath. 

 

my questions are:

 

can i fly to canada with my us visa stamped indian passport, attend oath and get canadian passport.

then use indian passport with stamped us visa to get back to usa?

After oath and getting canadian passport i am no longer indian citizen so is it okay to travel back to usa with indian passport? will there be any issue with the border officers?

 

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

48 minutes ago, tonythomas2050 said:

@jpfashizzle @From_CAN_2_US please advise on my situation

 

i have got us LPR stamp on my indian passport and moved to USA last week. I have my oath coming next week and have not got my physical green card yet. i have online oath and need to be present in canada to take oath. 

 

my questions are:

 

can i fly to canada with my us visa stamped indian passport, attend oath and get canadian passport.

then use indian passport with stamped us visa to get back to usa?

After oath and getting canadian passport i am no longer indian citizen so is it okay to travel back to usa with indian passport? will there be any issue with the border officers?

 

Do you have a valid Canadian PR card? Safest to use that plus Indian passport to travel to Canada. LPRs are technically allowed to travel to Canada without a visa to Canada, but there is a slight chance the airline would want to see a PR card for a Canadian PR.

Otherwise your plan is fine. Your Indian passport wont be stamped when entering US, so India wouldn’t know that you used it for travel when you surrender it. Besides that there is a grace period of 3 months where you can use your Indian passport after acquiring other citizenship.

 

[tonythomas2050 0]

2 hours ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Do you have a valid Canadian PR card? Safest to use that plus Indian passport to travel to Canada. LPRs are technically allowed to travel to Canada without a visa to Canada, but there is a slight chance the airline would want to see a PR card for a Canadian PR.

Otherwise your plan is fine. Your Indian passport wont be stamped when entering US, so India wouldn’t know that you used it for travel when you surrender it. Besides that there is a grace period of 3 months where you can use your Indian passport after acquiring other citizenship.

 

I donot have a green card (physical) yet. So after getting canadian citizenship is it okay to get back to usa with the stamped indian passport??