Detailed Guide on Canadian Citizenship Requirements

Anyone born in Canada automatically becomes a Canadian citizen, except on rare occasions. For those born outside Canada and seeking to become Canadian citizens, there is still a pathway for them to fulfill their dream. First, they must gain permanent resident status and reside in Canada for not less than three years before applying for Canadian citizenship. By being a Canadian citizen, you will be qualified for numerous rights and freedoms, including the right to participate in all polls, own a Canadian passport, and contest for public office.

Canadian citizenship requirements

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must have the following:

• A permanent resident status, regardless of your age;
• Resided in Canada as a permanent resident for not less than three years (1,095 days) in the course of five years right away prior to your application date. Before earning a permanent resident status, every day you have spent in Canada as a protected person or authorized temporary resident is treated as half a day (cannot go beyond 365 days). On the other hand, every day you spent in Canada after becoming a permanent resident is counted as full day;
• File tax returns where necessary;
• Provide evidence that you can converse and listen in French or English (this applies to applicants within the 18 to 54 age bracket);
• Attain a pass mark in a Canadian knowledge test, usually in English or French (this applies to applicants within the 18 to 54 age bracket).

Physical Presence Requirement

To meet the physical presence requirement, you must have lived in Canada as a permanent resident for at least two years.

For children aged below 18 and whose applications are undertaken by their parent or guardian are exempted from minimum physical presence requirements.

You can also qualify for Canadian citizenship even if you fall short of the Canadian citizenship requirements for the minimum time you resided in Canada if you are a Crown servant or a member of the Crown servant.

Why you may not be eligible for a Canadian citizen

You can be considered ineligible for Canadian citizenship if any of these conditions apply to you:

• You are presently a convict of jail or prison;
• You are serving a jail term outside Canada or are on parole;
• You were found guilty of an indictable offense within or outside Canada in the four years prior to citizenship application or are currently accused of an indictable offense or wrongdoing under the Citizenship Act in Canada;
• You were or are now convicted of violating Canadian immigration laws;
• You were or are now being probed for war crimes;
• You had a citizenship application denied in the last five years due to misrepresentation (submission of false statements, false information, or doctored documents);
• You are Canadian citizenship has been canceled due to swindling in the last ten years.

NB: All children born in Canada automatically become Canadian citizens except for those whose parents were diplomatic representatives of other countries. Also, children born outside Canada to a Canadian parent are eligible for citizenship. The revised immigration laws allow Canadians to hold dual citizenship.

How to apply for Canadian citizenship

There are several steps that you need to follow when applying for Canadian citizenship; they include:

• Acquiring a citizenship application

For adults (18 years and above), an application form for Canadian citizenship designated for adults is required. On top of that, applicants are required to complete the online physical presence calculator.

For persons below 18 years, an application for Canadian citizenship designated for minors is required. For parents or guardians seeking to apply for Canadian citizenship for more than one child must fill in separate forms for every child. Unlike adults, children are exempted from three-year residency to qualify for citizenship. Once a child becomes a permanent resident, their parents can apply for her citizenship, provided they are Canadian citizens. A parent can still apply for Canadian citizenship simultaneously with the child.

• Fill in and mail the application

Once you obtain the application form, the next step is to fill in the form and attach any supporting documents such as photographs, copies, receipt of fees payment, and any other document contained in the checklist. For applicants aged between 18 and 54, you must demonstrate with proof that you can communicate in English or French in their application. IRCC offers examples of what is regarded as proof on their site. You will be required to avail documents when taking your test and or interview.

Once you are done with the application form, mail it alongside other required documents to IRCC. You can download the application form from the IRCC website and obtain any other information on the application, including the address, from the website. If you seek to apply for citizenship for more than one person, you can convey the forms and relevant documents in the same envelope, and they will be reviewed together.

• Take the citizenship test or interview

If you meet the fundamental citizenship requirements and are aged 18 to 54, you will be subjected to a citizenship test or possible interview to confirm you have an essential insight into Canada and at least one of its formal languages. The test entails straightforward questions of the responsibilities, rights, liberties of citizenship, governance structure, the political system, culture, voting patterns in Canada, etc.

You can do your research about the aspects examined in the test to enhance your prospects of doing well.

This information can also be accessed from the Guide titled “Discover Canada: Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship” and is available online. If you cannot access it online, you can request a copy to be mailed to you. IRCC will inform you to slate a date and time for your interview and or test.

When you avail yourself for the interview or written test, keep in mind to bring with you the original docs that you duplicated and conveyed alongside your application, in addition to passports and travel documents you have in handy.

• Take the oath of citizenship

If IRCC is satisfied that you have met all the criteria required to become a Canadian citizen, they will send you a notice informing you of the time and venue of your citizenship oath-taking ceremony. During the ceremony, the oath of citizenship will be administered, followed by the issuance of the certificate of citizenship. You will, after that, be privileged to enjoy all the rights and liberties of Canadian citizenship.

Conclusion

The above is a detailed guide on who is eligible, ineligible for Canadian citizenship and the procedures involved all the way to the issuance of the certificate of citizenship.