Citizenship
The Canadian passport ranks among the most powerful in the world, offering its holders the privilege of easy global travel. Becoming a Canadian citizen carries a range of benefits and advantages that are typically unavailable to individuals holding temporary or permanent resident status. Canadian citizenship provides numerous privileges, including the right to participate in governance, the freedom to live in Canada without time constraints, easier family sponsorship options, and enhanced global travel opportunities.
Benefits of Canadian Citizenship
Visa-Free Travel to Other Countries
Canadian citizens typically enjoy the freedom to travel worldwide without the burden of visa restrictions. Canada recognizes dual citizenship, allowing citizens to hold two passports if their country of birth also permits dual citizenship.
Political Participation
Canadian citizens have the right to vote in federal, provincial, and territorial elections. This allows them to actively participate in shaping the country’s political landscape and policies. Moreover, citizens have the opportunity to run for political office and represent their fellow constituents on a variety of crucial issues, such as taxation, education, and foreign policy.
Status Security
Unlike permanent residents, Canadian citizens do not need to worry about residency requirements to maintain their status. They can live outside of Canada for extended periods without risking their citizenship. Additionally, Canadian citizenship is not ordinarily revoked due to criminal convictions, while permanent residents may face deportation for serious offenses.
Expanded Job Opportunities:
Canadian citizens may qualify for certain federal and provincial jobs that require citizenship, including positions involving security clearances. In contrast, permanent residents may find their employment options limited by their status.
Canadian citizens may qualify for certain federal and provincial jobs that require citizenship, including positions involving security clearances. In contrast, permanent residents may find their employment options limited by their status.
Need not to renew the immigration documentation
Unlike permanent residents who must renew their Permanent Resident cards every five years, Canadian citizens do not need to go through the process of renewing their citizenship documentation. A Citizenship Certificate and passport offer long-lasting proof of citizenship. A Citizenship Certificate is indefinitely valid, and citizens who wish to travel internationally only need to renew their passports every ten years. This streamlines the documentation process for citizens and eliminates the need for periodic renewals.
Protection Abroad:
Canadian citizens can seek consular assistance from Canadian embassies or consulates when they encounter difficulties while traveling or residing in other countries.
Cultural and Social Integration:
Canadian citizenship provides a sense of belonging and cultural integration into Canadian society, fostering a deeper connection with the country and its people.
Requirements for applying Canadian Citizenship
The federal department responsible for Canadian citizenship, known as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), oversees the citizenship application process. To qualify for Canadian citizenship, the following conditions must be satisfied:
- Permanent Resident Status: To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must have acquired and maintained permanent resident status in Canada. This means you need to have lived in Canada as a permanent resident for a specific period, usually three out of the last five years before applying.
- Physical Presence: During the qualifying period, you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (approximately three years). Children under 18 must also have permanent resident status, but do not have to satisfy the three-year requirement.
- Language Proficiency: Applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 must provide evidence of adequate knowledge of English or French. This typically involves taking a language test, such as the IELTS (for English) or TEF (for French) and demonstrating proficiency at a certain level. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 54 must submit proof of language proficiency.
- Knowledge of Canada: You must pass a citizenship test that assesses your knowledge of Canada’s history, geography, political system, values, institutions, and symbols. This test is usually in the form of a written test. Applicants must be aware of the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
- Criminal History: You must not be under a removal order or subject to certain criminal prohibitions. Any criminal convictions or pending charges may affect your eligibility.
- Intent to Reside: You must declare your intent to reside in Canada after becoming a citizen. This means you should plan to make Canada your home.
- Citizenship Application: Applicants must submit a formal application to IRCC and pay a government processing fee and a right of citizenship fee.
Upon receiving approval, candidates aged between 18 and 54 are obligated to undergo a citizenship examination. Subsequently, Successful applicants must then attend a citizenship ceremony where they receive a certificate of Canadian citizenship and officially become new Canadian citizens.
Online Physical Presence Calculator
The calculator can be employed to determine whether you have met the required physical presence in Canada for citizenship eligibility. If you have satisfied this requirement, the calculator will confirm your eligibility to submit an application. In the event that you have not met the requirement, it will provide you with the information on when you will become eligible to apply. This online calculator is the recommended tool for assessing your physical presence in Canada.
Who is ineligible for Canadian Citizenship?
Canadian citizenship will not be granted to applicants who:
- Do not meet the minimum required residency days in Canada.
- Cannot speak either English or French if he/she is between 18-54 years of age..
- Do not pass their citizenship test and/or interview; or
- Cannot provide the required proof of residency documentation.
There are also multiple legal and criminality issues that may make you ineligible for Canadian citizenship. If any of the following apply to you, you may not qualify for citizenship:
- You have had your citizenship taken away within the past five years.
- You have been convicted of a criminal offence in the past three years.
- You are in prison, on parole or on probation.
- You are under removal order from Canada.
- You are under investigation for or have been convicted of a war crime or a crime against humanity.
Processing Time
12 months. Check processing times.
Government Fee
- Adult,18 years & over ($630.00 CAD)
- Stateless adult (18 or over) born to Canadian parent ($100.00 CAD)
- Minor, under 18 years ($100.00 CAD)
Canadian Citizenship FAQ’s
Yes, Canada allows dual citizenship. Canada officially recognizes and permits its citizens to hold dual or multiple citizenships. This means that you can be a citizen of Canada while also being a citizen of another country. Canada does not require you to renounce your previous citizenship when you become a Canadian citizen.
While Canada allows dual citizenship, it’s important to be aware of the obligations and responsibilities associated with each of your citizenships, such as taxation and consular services.
Individuals who fail to pass the citizenship test the first time, but who otherwise meet the criteria for obtaining citizenship, will be asked to sit another test around 4-8 weeks after the first test. If the second test also results in failure, IRCC will invite the person to appear for a hearing with a citizenship officer. During this oral hearing, the officer may assess whether this person meets all the requirements for citizenship by testing his/her knowledge of Canada, asking questions about hi/her residency in Canada, and assessing English or French ability.
You can apply for Canadian citizenship again. This new application must include all the required forms and documents, including a new application fee. There is no waiting period before you can reapply. However, you should make sure you meet the requirements for Canadian citizenship before you reapply.
If your citizenship application is refused, you may also seek judicial review of the decision by the Federal Court of Canada. This is not an appeal of the decision. You have thirty (30) days from the date on the refusal letter to apply.
No! You do not automatically become a Canadian citizen if you marry a Canadian citizen. It may be possible for your spouse (the Canadian citizen) to sponsor you to become a permanent resident.
Your child is likely a Canadian citizen if at least 1 parent (legal/biological parent) was born in Canada or became a naturalized Canadian citizen before the child was born.
Yes! You can leave Canada after IRCC receives your application. If you need to leave Canada and want to stay eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must:
- Make sure that you live in Canada long enough to keep your Permanent Resident (PR) status.
- Be a permanent resident (when you apply).
- Not lose PR status before you take the Oath of Citizenship.
- Bring your PR card with you when you leave Canada so you can return easily.
No! Naturalized Canadian citizens do not have to intend to reside in Canada upon being naturalized.
Except for in a few rare cases involving international adoption, all naturalized Canadians must first apply for and obtain Canadian permanent resident status. Canada welcomes newcomers from across the world under its immigration programs, through which individuals and families may become permanent residents.
If you want a professional help in your Citizenship application, we can help! Simply contact us to discuss about your application!