Adult in U S with Canadian born father

[Timothy74]

My father was born in Canada to Canadian parents. He came to the U S as a child and resided here as a resident alien. Roughly ten years ago he and my mother (dual citizenship) returned to Canada and now reside there. I'm told that I am automatically eligible for Canadian citizenship, being first generation. If this is true, what form/documents do I need to make this happen? How long will the process take,as I have been offered a job in AB. Thanks!

 

[Leon]

You need this application: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/certif.asp

If you go visit Canada and apply from the inside, the normal processing time is around 6 months but of course you can ask them nicely if they can do it faster because you have a job offer. Who knows, maybe they will.

 

[Timothy74]

Thanks Leon. 6 mos. Wow! The company will sponsor a work visa for me. I don't currently have a visa. Last I traveled to Canada, they were still allowing passage without one. I guess my second question is what would the quickest way for me to gain entry?

 

[Leon]

Thanks Leon. 6 mos. Wow! The company will sponsor a work visa for me. I don't currently have a visa. Last I traveled to Canada, they were still allowing passage without one. I guess my second question is what would the quickest way for me to gain entry?

I don't know if they would give you a work permit if you are already a citizen, besides, they need a labour market opinion and it might not actually take much less time than 6 months. Are you not visa exempt to Canada?

 

[Timothy74]

Leon,
I'm sure it is my ignorance on this topic but i'm not sure how someone is "visa exempt". I've never had a passport. It could take 6 mos. for me to get the documents back once I send them to claim my citizenship. I have just signed and returned the LMO form to my prospective employer. It sounds like that will be the fastest way until I am able to get permanent citizenship. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge on these topics.

 

[scylla]

Whether you are visa exempt depends on what citizenship you hold.

If you are a citizen of a visa exempt country, you can travel to Canada to visit on your passport alone.

If you are not a citizen of a visa exempt country, the you must obtain a visa if you wish to visit Canada.

Visa exempt countries are listed here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp#exemptions