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Original poster

To get a Canadian passport?

52 replies

cheesenpickles · 27/05/2019 15:17

Everything that's been happening lately I've been thinking about hedging my bets and taking up my dual nationality... just in case.

My dm was Canadian (deceased now) so I'm guessing based on that I can get Canadian citizenship as well as a British?

Has anybody applied for this? What's the process like? I'm guessing I'll have to get a copy of her birth certificate from her province as I have no idea where hers went (and I vaguely remember her having to do lots of running around to replaced some sort of document that was damaged in a records office in Canada etc).

Also, if I get dual citizenship/passport I'm guessing my kids will then be eligible as well?

OP posts:
DGRossetti · 27/05/2019 15:47

Personally I would if I could. It's starting to be that you can never have too many passports. (I've only got two Sad)

The only one I would be wary of, is a US passport - it seems to enrol you into all sorts of exotic tax schemes you need to keep on top of or find yourself in deep doggy-doo. (Might also affect your UK bank account Hmm)

Bon chance !

Original poster
cheesenpickles · 27/05/2019 15:54

Thanks. I know what you mean about the US one, basically earn anything overseas and you still owe the US government "their" share even if you've not stepped foot on the soil.

Currently muddling through all the documentation I'm going to need. My wonderful dad has "lost" mine and my mum's birth certificates (though tbh I think my mum's is technically "invalid" now after 9/11 so would need to get a new one anyway.

Lots of cheques and post to be sent I'm thinking but always nice to have a fall back and my dh has a good transferable job as well (plus he wants to move there... I don't but options open and all that).

OP posts:
MissUGirl · 27/05/2019 15:58

The Citizenship Act was changed in 2009 to limit citizenship by descent to one generation – also known as the “first generation rule”.

So if your children were born outside of Canada after 2009 and you subsequently become a Canadian citizen by descent, they will not be Canadian citizens.

DGRossetti · 27/05/2019 16:05

There must be forums and online support groups you could tap into. I know there's one for people looking at Italian citizenship (unsurprisingly my second one).

At least you can do it in English Grin

Original poster
cheesenpickles · 27/05/2019 16:14

@MissUGirl yeah I was just reading about that but I'd be able to sponsor them and have family out there as well. My husband's job is in demand out there as well so don't think it would be a huge issue but another reason to get it sorted.

@DGRossetti yeah, a lot seems to be related to US applications and, you'd think that but, non! She was from Quebec and everything is overwhelmingly in French. Zut alors!

OP posts:
DGRossetti · 27/05/2019 16:23

She was from Quebec and everything is overwhelmingly in French.

As I said. Bon Chance Grin.

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 27/05/2019 16:35

Complicated. If you get your Citizenship you’d have to sponsor the rest of your family. You’d need to prove you can support them financially.

What does DH do? If he’s that in demand you might be better off if he gets a job offer with an LMIA.

Original poster
cheesenpickles · 27/05/2019 16:45

HD's job is specialised and in demand over there.

The company he works for has employment opportunities over there that, should we think about moving, he'd easily get accepted for.

My family are quite well off there as well so we wouldn't struggle with places to stay while we got set up etc. My job is quite transferable as well and I could freelance quite easily with my various specialisms as well.

If we decided to go, we would sell up as well and we only have a tiny mortgage left so should be able to go over with a good chunk of money.

OP posts:
Inkstainedmags · 27/05/2019 17:57

If you get your Citizenship you’d have to sponsor the rest of your family. You’d need to prove you can support them financially.

I successfully sponsored my DH while a SAHM using our joint savings and assets as evidence of our ability to support ourselves.

GeraniumSwimwear · 27/05/2019 18:15

If you become a Canadian citizen you have to have both a British and Canadian passport to enter Canada. Canadian passports are more expensive so just be mindful of this.

BlueJava · 27/05/2019 18:18

Provided there are no adverse implications (US tax system has been mentioned) and it's not illegal to hold 2 passports (e.g. Chinese can't have both) then I don't see why anyone wouldn't do this. Just opens up more options.

Jaxhog · 27/05/2019 18:24

I got mine in 2017. If you've any recorded Canadian nationality then a Canadian Passport is required to travel there. It's quite expensive (277 pounds as I recall), can take a while (3 months) and you'll need quite a lot of paperwork. I already had Canadian nationality and a a previous though, so no choice really. My Canadian nationality is also via my mum.

I also have a British passport.

But I do like the 'insurance' of dual nationality. With Brexit, who knows when I might need it!

Jaxhog · 27/05/2019 18:26

previous Canadian passport!

Jaxhog · 27/05/2019 18:28

The Canadian high commission in London is pretty helpful, and responds to email enquiries quite quickly.

Original poster
cheesenpickles · 27/05/2019 19:04

Thanks everybody! Yes I remember my mum saying how expensive passports were and the photos are a pain to get as they're a different size but it'll be nice to have the options open. Won't be able to travel there for a while anyway because of costs etc but that's not a major issue. Are there any other perks @Jaxhog like not needing ESTAs or being able to stay anywhere else for longer than UK passport allows?

OP posts:
SometimesMaybe · 27/05/2019 19:59

Yes Canadian passport photos are an “odd” size (obviously not odd to Canadians). I always get the DC done at Timpsons, costs more but you know they will accept it.
Once you have all the info the Embassy turns around the applications pretty quickly. Also easier if you know a Canadian to countersign for you.

Arlenia · 27/05/2019 20:13

Your children would be able to move to Canada with you if you decide to move there before they turn 18. And in time, they would probably be able to become citizens.

But if you don’t move there before their 18th birthdays, then they will have no route to Canadian citizenship.

Original poster
cheesenpickles · 27/05/2019 20:14

@SometimesMaybe oh lots easier nowadays! We used to have to go to London to get my mum's done.

Mmm I'm sure I have a few Canuck friend knocking about but my aunt should be over soon so she could probably countersign for me if need be.

Thanks for this!

OP posts:
NorthEndGal · 27/05/2019 23:50

Hello from Nova Scotia!
Are your dc school age? If so, will the be able to school in French?

Original poster
cheesenpickles · 27/05/2019 23:53

hiya @NorthEndGal bit younger and I speak to them a bit in French (mine is very rusty, but passable... even have the French Canadian accent apparently). They'll definitely get educated in French as much as I can with their schooling.

OP posts:
NorthEndGal · 27/05/2019 23:56

I'm sure they will pick it up quickly! Are you looking to stay in Quebec, or one of the other provinces?

RiversDisguise · 27/05/2019 23:56

My kids have double (actually triple ) citizenship, only bothered getting two passports for them though.

It is very handy.

Original poster
cheesenpickles · 28/05/2019 00:02

It's all very embryonic at this stage and tbh it's more of a "just in case". Personally, I think if we were to go anywhere it would be Ontario as the majority of my family and friends live there but it would be dependent on jobs etc.

OP posts:
NorthEndGal · 28/05/2019 00:07

That makes sense. I lived in Ontario for thirty years , it has a huge variety of areas, and a lot of opportunity.

SwedishEdith · 28/05/2019 00:15

This might be useful?

www.immigrationboards.com/canada-forum/

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