Canada has always been the first choice for people who longs for a good living with great career prospects, also not to forget about the major educational institutions. Students, businessmen, and corporate officials, all can find great opportunities in Canada, but in order to attain the same, one has to be a Canadian citizen. The Canadian government tries its best to provide as much support and assistance to the immigrants who all want to be permanent residents (only if they have all the documents and fulfil all the conditions). One should apply for Canadian citizenship as soon as the person becomes eligible and has all the necessary documents as being a citizen is lawfully necessary and also bring in numerous benefits for an individual.
Now, What is Citizenship? Citizenship gives individuals the knowledge and experience that they need to practice their rights and understand their obligations, allowing them to make a good contribution. It prepares students for the challenges and possibilities that await them as adults and workers.
Stunning vistas, a rock-solid healthcare system, and an education system so good that Canada stands among the leading countries for its robust education system.
Despite the impact of COVID-19, Canada received more permanent residents in 2021 than at any other time in its history. Canada aspires to welcome even more newcomers in 2022 than the previous year.
Canadian citizenship gives you the legal right to live and work anywhere in Canada for as long as you want. You can change jobs, relocate across provinces, and sponsor your spouse, partner, and dependent children – but you may not need to sponsor them at all, since many immigration programmes allow you to bring your family with you right away!
However, after becoming permanent residents, one question looms over everyone’s head, ‘How to get Canadian citizenship?’ Are you one of them too?
No need to fret, let’s walk through everything you need to know about getting Canadian citizenship.
Eligibility Criteria for Getting Canadian Citizenship
If someone wants to be eligible for Canadian immigration and citizenship, then he/she/they must fulfil the following requirements to become a Canadian citizen:
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Canadian Permanent Residency
Irrespective of your age, you must have met all of the requirements for Canadian permanent residency at the time you applied.
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Duration of Being a Resident in Canada Prior to Applying for Citizenship
Minors applying with a parent or who have a Canadian parent are exempt from this provision. It applies to minors who do not have a Canadian parent or who are applying without one.
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File the taxes
You must have filed taxes in Canada for at least three years in the five years prior to your application if you were required to.
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Canadian citizenship test (people aged between 18-54 years)
You must take a Canadian citizenship test if you are between the ages of 18 and 54 on the day you sign your Canadian citizenship application.
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Language skills (people aged between 18 to 54 years)
People in the age group (18–54 years) would need to prove to the authorities that they are well versed in English communication or know French (level 4 or above) on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) evaluates your language abilities in a variety of ways, including:
– Examine the evidence you provide to demonstrate your linguistic abilities.
– IRCC may evaluate your communication skills with citizenship officials during the application process.
– If necessary, IRCC may evaluate your language skills during a hearing with a citizenship officer.
Documents Required to Apply for Citizenship in Canada
You can initiate the citizenship application process if you meet the prerequisites for Canadian citizenship. You must submit specific documents and forms, as well as pay fees, in order to apply. Your age and situation will determine which documents and paperwork you require. Minors applying alone, for example, will require a few additional documents from an adult, and vice versa.
The following are some of the required documents:
- The application form for Canadian citizenship
- Proof of physical presence
- Copies of the personal information pages of your passport/travel document
- Copies of your identification document
- Proof of language proficiency
- Residing outside Canada form (IMM 5476)
- Letter from a Canadian audiologist
How to Apply for Canadian Immigration and Citizenship
- The Canadian government offers access to all of the necessary forms as well as a document checklist from the IRCC website (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada). One must electronically complete them, print them, and then submit them.
- After the above step, you will receive the addresses to which you can send your completed application along with your application package. You must arrange all of the forms and documents and deliver them to the specified address.
- After receiving all the documents, if the officials assessing your application determine that you have all you need, they will give you an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR). You will receive your unique client identifier along with your AOR (UCI).
- But, If your application doesn’t have all the necessary information, they’ll send it back to you with instructions on how to fill in the gaps. Then you would need to submit your application again.
- The last step would entail the test and an interview a few weeks after you receive the notification of receipt.
Test and Interview
Applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 must take a Canadian citizenship test, which assesses their understanding of Canada’s:
- History
- Geography
- Economy
- Government
- Laws
- Symbols
One will have to sit for an interview on the same day as the test was aligned. All candidates above the age of 18 (even if they are over 54), as well as children 14-17 applying without a parent or who do not have a Canadian parent, must attend an interview. For detailed information on oaths and interviews, you can refer to the Government of Canada’s official website.
Oath of Citizenship
If your application for Canadian citizenship is approved, you will be required to take an Oath of Citizenship.
The oath is taken during a citizenship ceremony, which might happen several times a year. It is compulsory for everyone ( above 14 years of age) to attend the ceremony and to take the Oath.
You’ll get your citizenship certificate and sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form there as well.
Canadian Dual Citizenship
If your citizenship application is accepted by more than one country, you are deemed to have dual citizenship. Canada permits citizens to acquire citizenship from another country while maintaining their Canadian citizenship. They will have dual citizenship in this instance.
Dual citizenship is permitted in other countries as well. For example, if you are a US citizen who obtains Canadian citizenship, you will retain your US citizenship. This way, you will have dual citizenship in the United States and Canada.
However, in some countries, you may be required to relinquish your current citizenship in order to gain a new one. It varies in each country, so you’ll have to examine the citizenship rules in yours.
Factors Resulting in Your Ineligibility to Get Canadian Citizenship
There are some major factors which can lead to the failure of your application. Some of them are listed below:
- You are living in Canada but are serving a term of imprisonment.
- Serving a sentence outside of Canada.
- You are charged with, on trial for, or involved in an offence.
- You are under a removal order (officials asked you to leave Canada).
- You have been rejected citizenship applications in the past 5 years.
- You had your Canadian citizenship revoked because of fraud.
- Refusal of citizenship application for misinterpretation in the past 5 years.
You May Also Read
| Know Your Canadian Immigration Agent | Renew Canadian Visa Inside Canada |
| Complete Guide on Canadian Visa | Temporary Worker Visa in Canada |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The primary factors taken under consideration are that one should be a long-term resident, should have resided in Canada for at least 3 of the last 5 years (1,095 days), and should have submitted the taxes (if required). Some secondary reasons are that one shouldn't be involved in any crime in any possible way.
After you apply online or in person by filling out the form: If the application is missing any of the information, it will be sent back to you; If the application is complete, you will receive a confirmation letter; The general time is taken for an application to be processed in 27 months.
Canada also provides a straightforward path to citizenship. Obtaining a residency requires proof of additional income unless you have work in Canada. You must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (two years) every five years to meet the residency criteria.
The three types of Canadian citizenship are: Citizenship by birth; Citizenship by naturalization
The five major benefits of Canadian citizenship are: No need to renew your citizenship status; Plethora of job opportunities; Right to Vote; Ease of travel to various countries with a Canadian Passport. What qualifies you to be a Canadian citizen?
How long does it take to get Canadian citizenship?
Is getting Canadian citizenship easy?
What are the three types of citizenship in Canada?
What are the benefits of Canadian citizenship?
