How to Get Canadian Citizenship

How to Get Canadian Citizenship

Many immigrants who have made it to Canada permanently and survived the immigration procedure are eagerly awaiting citizenship and the day when they may be sworn in as legal Canadian citizens.
Prior to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) approving their application for Canadian citizenship, there are a few last-minute tasks that need to be completed.

Canadian citizenship

One must first immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident before they can naturalise. As with all immigration programmes in Canada, there are requirements that must be met in order for a permanent resident to be qualified to apply for citizenship:

• 1. Residency requirements:
  With limited exceptions, applicants must demonstrate that they have lived in Canada for three years (1,095 days) out of the five years preceding the submission of their signed application.
• 2. Submit taxes
  Citizenship candidates must have paid taxes in Canada for at least three of the five years preceding their application.
• 3. Become citizenship-qualified.
  Candidates must pass a citizenship exam between the ages of 18 and 54 in order to prove that they are aware of their rights and obligations as Canadian citizens.
• 4. Show linguistic proficiency
  Applicants must demonstrate a minimal proficiency in either French or English to become Canadian citizens.

When to apply for Canadian citizenship

Before applying for Canadian citizenship, Canadian permanent residents must have resided here for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the previous five years (with some exceptions).
Before they can submit a citizenship application, permanent residents (PR) must also verify they complete additional minimal requirements.

How to apply for Canadian citizenship

An online application system for Canadian citizenship is currently being tested by the Canadian government. It is currently only accessible to selected applicants. Those who are currently ineligible for online applications must submit paper applications.
In addition to passing the Canadian citizenship test, qualified candidates may be asked to participate in an interview with a citizenship judge if IRCC so requests. After being accepted, applicants will go to a Citizenship Ceremony to take the Oath of Citizenship and become formally recognised as Canadian citizens.

Canadian citizenship test

Candidates must first pass a test on the duties and rights of citizenship in order to become Canadian citizens. Twenty questions on Canadian history, geography, the economy, the government, legislation, and symbols make up the test.

Language test for Canadian citizenship

Applicants for Canadian citizenship must demonstrate acceptable fluency in either English or French. The following third-party test results from organisations can be used as evidence of language proficiency:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- InCELPIP General, CELPIP General-LS - General training
- Test of French Evaluation (TEF) (in French)
- Test of English Evaluation (TEFAQ) (in French)
- TEF pour la naturalisation: version with two skills (speaking and listening)
- Test results previously submitted for Quebec immigration may also serve as proof of linguistic proficiency.
It is not necessary for applicants who are under 18 or over 54 to provide proof of language competency.

Proving Canadian citizenship

Citizens receive a certificate proving their Canadian citizenship after naturalisation. When making an application for a Canadian passport, this document can be used as citizenship proof.

Canadian citizenship benefits

Many of the same resources are available to permanent residents as they are to citizens. They can live and work anywhere in Canada, have access to publicly financed healthcare and education, and their human liberties are safeguarded by Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
But obtaining Canadian citizenship offers advantages. The following five actions are exclusively available to citizens and permanent residents:

• 1. Vote
  The government of Canada is a parliamentary democracy. Every Canadian citizen over the age of 18 has the right to vote for our Prime Minister in every federal election. But in addition to federal elections, people can cast ballots in routine provincial and municipal elections.
  Voting offers residents a voice in who governs their town, province, or territory. This is a significant privilege and duty of Canadian citizenship.
• 2. Run for office
  People from Canada may run for office. Elections for local, provincial, or federal offices are open to interested residents.
  In Canada, there are a number of significant political parties. Citizens who are interested in politics can run as independent candidates or join a youth wing.
• 3. Travel freely
  Citizens of Canada are eligible to apply for a passport. Passports, as opposed to PR cards, only require renewal every 5 to 10 years.
  One of the best passports in the world is the Canadian one. Citizens of Canada are permitted to enter many nations without a visa with a valid passport. A Canadian passport will also make it simpler for Canadians to return to the nation than a travel permit for permanent residents.
• 4. Pass on citizenship to kids
  Whether a first-generation Canadian citizen's child is born in Canada or not, they will immediately become citizens of the country. This entails that they can take advantage of their parent's status without going through the same citizenship application process.
  On the other hand, a child of a permanent resident will only be a Canadian citizen if that child is born in Canada. If a permanent resident's kid is born overseas, their parents must sponsor the child.
• 5. Live anywhere in the world
  Canadian citizens are free to live anywhere in the world for as long as they like without losing their citizenship. Unlike permanent residency, there are no residency requirements for Canadian citizens. The only restriction is that Canadians living abroad for a period of more than five years lose the right to vote in federal elections.