Is Ukrainian citizenship and passport retained when leaving for permanent residence in Canada? As far as I know, Canadian citizenship can be obtained only after three years. But how can we travel to Ukraine during these three years, where our parents remain? Oleg L., Kyiv
– When leaving for permanent residence in Canada, you lose neither citizenship nor passport. For Ukraine, you acquire a new status – a citizen of Ukraine permanently residing in Canada. For life in Canada, your status is permanent resident of Canada (or, as they also say, landed immigrant). Accordingly, the two main documents you take with you on the road when going to Ukraine are your Ukrainian passport (not expired!) and the Canadian immigration visa IMM 1000 (record of landing). When entering Ukraine, you present your passport, and upon returning to Canada – your passport and record of landing.
Do not forget to visit the embassy or consulate of Ukraine in Canada before the trip to register in accordance with the requirements of Ukrainian legislation. This is an inexpensive and quick procedure, there are practically no queues, and border guards sometimes require the stamp of registration in the passport when leaving Ukraine.
As for Canadian citizenship, you can indeed apply for it no earlier than after three years of residence in the country, after obtaining permanent resident status. The review will take a few more months. But do not be upset – permanent residents of Canada are practically not restricted in rights and differ little from Canadian citizens, although they do not participate in elections.
My husband and I are both 44 years old, and various minor ailments have accumulated. We would like to move to Canada for permanent residence, but we know that a medical examination is required for this. Can we find out in more detail how the medical condition of those applying for permanent residence is assessed? In Kharkiv, we visited several immigration firms, but nowhere could they give us a proper answer. Oksana and Yaroslav T., Kharkiv.
– Everyone who applies for permanent resident status in Canada is required to undergo a medical examination. It is necessary to undergo a general examination, provide urine and blood tests, and have an X-ray.
Applicants may be refused solely on medical grounds only in cases where their disease would threaten the health or safety of the general population of Canada; their admission to Canada could cause excessive demands on the social welfare or health care system; or their diseases may prevent them from earning a living to support themselves or dependent family members.
In real life, therefore, "minor ailments" (if they are indeed minor) should not hinder your immigration plans. It should also not be forgotten that in each specific case the medical assessment may differ, since all aspects of the applicant's health condition are taken into account.
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