Apply for citizenship: Calculate your time spent

When pursuing Canadian citizenship, one of the key eligibility criteria is meeting the residency requirement, which mandates that applicants must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (equivalent to three years) within the five years preceding their citizenship application.

This residency requirement, set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), emphasizes the importance of establishing a significant connection to Canada before attaining citizenship. While the calculation may seem straightforward, there are nuances to consider, particularly regarding the types of days that can be counted toward the total.

Counting Time Spent in Canada

IRCC primarily recognizes days spent in Canada after an individual becomes a permanent resident (PR) when calculating the residency requirement. However, applicants can also include some time spent in Canada as a temporary resident (TR) or protected person.

For TRs and protected persons, each day spent in Canada within the last five years is counted as half a day towards the residency requirement. However, there is a maximum cap of 365 days that can be applied from this category.

Application Scenarios

To illustrate how different scenarios impact the calculation of residency days, let’s consider three hypothetical applicants: Emma, David, and Sophie.

1. 1. Emma’s Scenario:Emma arrived in Canada as an international student in September 2019 and later obtained permanent resident (PR) status in 2022. She has resided continuously in Canada since her arrival.
      • • Time Spent as a Temporary Resident (TR): Emma’s period as a temporary resident spans from September 4, 2019, when she arrived as a student, to January 5, 2022, when she transitioned to permanent residency. This accounts for a total of 855 days.
        • Time Spent as a Permanent Resident (PR): After becoming a PR on January 6, 2022, Emma resided in Canada until the date of her citizenship application on March 24, 2024. This equates to 808 days.
        • Calculation:  Emma can count a maximum of 365 days from her time as a temporary resident toward the residency requirement. Additionally, all 808 days as a permanent resident are eligible for inclusion.
        • Total Days Counted: 365 days (TR) + 808 days (PR) = 1,173 days
   2. David’s Scenario:David arrived in Canada as a protected person in 2021 and obtained permanent resident (PR) status in early 2023. Similar to Emma, David has remained in Canada continuously since his arrival as a protected person.
      • Time Spent as a Protected Person: From May 20, 2021, when David arrived as a protected person, to February 18, 2023, when he became a permanent resident, he spent a total of 640 days in Canada.
      • Time Spent as a Permanent Resident (PR): Following his PR status approval on February 19, 2023, David has resided in Canada until the date of his citizenship application on July 16, 2024, totaling 513 days.
      • Calculation: Similar to Emma, David can count a maximum of 365 days from his time as a protected person toward the residency requirement. Additionally, all 513 days as a permanent resident are eligible for inclusion.
      • Total Days Counted: 320 days (TR) + 513 days (PR) = 833 days
   3. Sophie’s Scenario:Sophie has been a permanent resident (PR) of Canada since 2017. However, she spent some time outside Canada between January 4 and August 18, 2019, for personal reasons.
      • Time Spent as a Permanent Resident (PR): Excluding the days spent outside Canada, Sophie has been continuously residing in Canada as a PR since 2017, accumulating a total of 1,827 days.
      • Calculation: While Sophie’s total PR days amount to 1,827, the 227 days spent outside Canada must be subtracted from this total.
      • Total Days Counted: 1,827 days (PR) – 227 days (Outside Canada) = 1,600 days

Additional Considerations

• Proof of Relationship: Applicants must ensure their relationship documents accurately reflect the nature of their connection to Canada. Evidence such as marriage certificates or rental agreements can support their application.
• Minor Applicants: Minors applying for citizenship must also meet the residency requirement. However, exceptions may apply if they have a Canadian parent or are applying alongside a parent seeking citizenship.

Navigating the residency requirement for Canadian citizenship involves careful calculation and documentation. By understanding how different types of residency days contribute to the total, applicants can ensure they meet the eligibility criteria set by IRCC.

For those considering citizenship, consulting IRCC resources and utilizing tools like the citizenship calculator can provide invaluable guidance in estimating eligibility and planning the citizenship application process effectively.

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