Family to go ahead with Citizenship

[Taurus4616]

We landed here in Canada Apr 2003 but left after a month as i was working still in the Middle East. Came back Apr 2006 (exactly 3 yrs) and planned to stay for good. Unfortunately couldnt land a good job so i decided to leave after 5 months and back to ME, leaving my family behind which i come and visit every after 6mos for like 2 weeks time. I stayed for good last Mar 2008 just in time before my PR card gets expired by May of that yr. Anyways i have two questions to ask:
1. Can my family apply citizenship (as they completed residency obligation). Are we not going to be questioned just in case why i havent applied at the same time as them. All our PR card expired last year and we have never renewed it.

2. i know that i have not completed residency obligation for the past 5 yrs but i'm staying for good this time, can i go ahead applying for citizenship if i completed 3 straight years out of the 4 yrs time or should i first renew my PR card after i completed straight 730 days.

Appreciate any response on this

 

[Leon]

Your family can apply for their citizenship. I doubt they will be asked why you are not applying. If they are, they can say that you don't have 3 out of 4 years to apply yet.

You can apply for a PR card after you reach 730 days if you want to. You will need one if you want to travel.

 

[Taurus4616]

Thanks Leon,

I have another question here. Would CIC be checking the passport where the immigrant visa was stamped when applying for PR or Citizenship? What if the passport is lost, can you present the replacement one instead, from this would they know your physical presence in Canada?

 

[Leon]

When I applied, I don't remember having to copy all the pages of my passport for them. I can not see them asking for that in the forms but if you are getting tempted to apply for citizenship and lying about your living in Canada for 3 out of the 4 last years, I don't think you should do it because you don't know what they know. They are keeping track of you every time you come back but they may not know when you leave. However, they could be sharing information with some other countries to find out. If you lie and get caught, you are in big trouble. Better to sit tight and wait until you have your 730 days and meet the requirements for PR again.

 

[Taurus4616]

Thanks Leon,

I guess safest way is to wait, i dont intend leaving the country anyway. Appreciate all your advise