U.S Citizen and Canadian Permanent Resident Question

[mkiv18]

Hello, i lived in Canada from 2001-2003 and held a Permanent resident status. In 2003, moved to the U.S.A with a green card (applied in the 1990's). Long story short, i want to become a Canadian citizen and obtain dual citizenship.

My question: I am a Pilot and i don't mind working for a Canadian Airline to regain my residency. How would that work if some of the flights are to the US ? . I read somewhere that you cant leave Canada for 3 years.

 

[Buletruck]

No such rule. You do need to meet residency obligation (730 days in 5 years) to maintain your PR status. Citizenship is 1095 days physical presence in the previous 5 years.
Have you been back to Canada at all since 2003?

 

[mkiv18]

No such rule. You do need to meet residency obligation (730 days in 5 years) to maintain your PR status. Citizenship is 1095 days physical presence in the previous 5 years.
Have you been back to Canada at all since 2003?

yes i have to visit. But i have always entered as an American. I have not been in Canada 730 days in the past 5 years.

 

[scylla]

Hello, i lived in Canada from 2001-2003 and held a Permanent resident status. In 2003, moved to the U.S.A with a green card (applied in the 1990's). Long story short, i want to become a Canadian citizen and obtain dual citizenship.

My question: I am a Pilot and i don't mind working for a Canadian Airline to regain my residency. How would that work if some of the flights are to the US ? . I read somewhere that you cant leave Canada for 3 years.

I don't see how this will be feasible. You need to have a valid PR card to be hired as a commercial pilot based in Canada. However you can't apply for a PR card since you don't meet the residency requirement (if you try, you'll be refused and your PR status officially revoked).

 

[mkiv18]

I am willing to relocate. I’ve already been issued a PR. It is not valid though due to me not being in the country

 

[scylla]

I am willing to relocate. I’ve already been issued a PR. It is not valid though due to me not being in the country

That's exactly your problem. You need a valid PR card to be hired as a pilot in Canada. So it's a non-starter because you cannot renew your PR card without first living in Canada for two full years.

The fact you are willing to relocate is immaterial. You cannot be hired without a valid PR card. And you cannot renew your PR card since you don't meet the residency requirement.

 

[Copingwithlife]

I am willing to relocate. I’ve already been issued a PR. It is not valid though due to me not being in the country

That’s correct , you have been issued a PR card, which has Residency Obligations that go along with it , kind of like Terms & Conditions. That being ,that you will stay in Canada 2 out of 5 years to maintain your RO . Employers in Canada will want to see a valid PR card to be employed , not one that has expired approximately 15 years ago . Seems from your posting you had a GC application in the works, while you were doing the PR route, likely a backup until the GC came thru,you elected going with the GC card and the American Passport , your choice . But it isn’t as simple as wanting to come back to Canada after 16 years, getting a job, residing here with the intention of becoming a dual citizen. You’re in a catch 22. In effect you abandoned your PR status , you obtained your GC status and your American Passport and by trying to renew your PR card ,to get employed , the Government will start an investigation and revoke it.
Btw, I worked for an airline here in Toronto for close to 30 years , no airline will even entertain you unless you show valid documents, and don’t get me started on the steps you have to jump thru to get a security card for the airport aka Transport Canada which goes in conjunction with your employment. No Transport Canada ID card , no employment

 

[mkiv18]

I was also under 18 when i left Canada. Does that help the case?

 

[Copingwithlife]

How old are you now, that’s the important question
It sounds like you’ve been away for an extended period of time . Long enough to get your citizenship and work your way up scale with an airline . I don’t know if you’re working for a regional airline or mainline , sitting on the left or right up front
Being away for an extended period of time usually almost always results in a negative decision on regaining PR status
You put your focus on working and living in another country since leaving Canada

 

[scylla]

I was also under 18 when i left Canada. Does that help the case?

This would only help if you are 21 years old or under now. Then you could claim H&C and apply to get a new PR card without meeting the residency requirement by claiming that your parents took you out of Canada and that you returned as soon as you were an adult. This works if you are 19, works in most cases if you are 20 and sometimes works if you are 21. If you are over 21, it's a no-go.

 

[mkiv18]

I am 31, time-building at a aerial mapping company.

 

[mbaleine]

Being a US citizen, you could potentially take advantage of NAFTA. Meaning, if you were willing to switch to an industry that allows LMIA-exemption positions for US citizens, and were able to secure a job offer in that industry, then you could work in Canada as a NAFTA professional. Highlight to potential employers that you are LMIA-exempt. You would then accumulate Canadian work experience and apply under CEC for Canadian Permanent Residence. Staying in the aviation industry won't work for this route because aviation/pilot is not covered under NAFTA professional occupation list.

https://moving2canada.com/nafta-work-permits-canada/

 

[scylla]

Being a US citizen, you could potentially take advantage of NAFTA. Meaning, if you were willing to switch to an industry that allows LMIA-exemption positions for US citizens, and were able to secure a job offer in that industry, then you could work in Canada as a NAFTA professional. Highlight to potential employers that you are LMIA-exempt. You would then accumulate Canadian work experience and apply under CEC for Canadian Permanent Residence. Staying in the aviation industry won't work for this route because aviation/pilot is not covered under NAFTA professional occupation list.

https://moving2canada.com/nafta-work-permits-canada/

This is only possible if the OP renounces PR status first. This doesn't help in retaining PR status.

 

[scylla]

I am 31, time-building at a aerial mapping company.

This changes nothing. You still face the same problems. To recap:

- You need a valid PR card to be hired as a pilot in Canada
- You do not have a valid PR card at this time
- You cannot renew your PR card since you don't meet the residency requirement
- You must live in Canada for 2 out of the last 5 years before you will qualify to renew your PR card

There is no way for you to come to Canada to work as a pilot using your current PR status.