How to Get Canadian Citizenship - Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Canada welcomes residents and workers from all around the world. The country's strong economy and abundant work opportunities will appeal to anyone eager to start a new journey. Canada plans to welcome 1.23 million immigrants by the year 2024 who want to live there permanently. Canada welcomes about 300,000 new immigrants each year, and becoming a citizen is simple. Anyone seeking Canadian citizenship should seize this excellent opportunity. Every year, 10,000 more people will be added to this immigration objective; you might be one of them.

People are migrating to Canada from all over the world for various reasons. They and their families have a better future due to the nation's steadily growing economy, which offers them many job opportunities. Suppose you wish to enjoy an excellent quality of life, free public education, universal healthcare, fantastic career chances with outstanding earnings and work benefits, or just the beauty of the country's natural surroundings. In that case, Canada may be the place for you. But what happens next?

There are several benefits to assimilating into the Canadian community. Please continue reading to learn more as we examine all you need to know about obtaining Canadian citizenship in 2022.

What is Canadian Citizenship?

Due to their status in the legal system, Canadian citizens are entitled to several privileges, rights, and obligations. Foreign permanent residents and status Indians over 18 who have been in Canada for more than three years may seek citizenship by grant.

Having Canadian citizenship is essential to many people. Citizenship in Canada is frequently viewed as a pass to a better life. Regarding their ability to enter and remain in the country, Canadian citizens are not subject to any limitations. They are eligible to apply for Canadian passports, they are required to serve on juries when called, and they can enlist in the Canadian Armed Forces.

There is little question that navigating Canadian immigration procedures is neither easy nor straightforward. Although Canada is among the nations where immigration is the simplest, the word "easy" is undoubtedly deceptive. To be eligible to immigrate to Canada and become a citizen, you must follow a stringent set of regulations.

Eligibility Criteria for Canadian Citizenship

Furthermore, to become a Canadian citizen, you must meet a few requirements and criteria before applying.

• Be a permanent resident.
• Meet Canada's physical presence requirements
• File your taxes (if necessary)
• Pass a Canadian citizenship test (if you are between the ages of 18-54)
• Prove your language skills (if you are between the ages of 18-54)

Permanent Resident Status

An immigrant to Canada who has been granted permanent residence status but is not a Canadian citizen is known as a permanent resident. Citizens of other nations are permanent residents. A temporary visitor to Canada, such as a student or migrant worker, is not a permanent resident. No matter your age, you must be a permanent resident (PR) of Canada to apply for citizenship.

Physical Presence

You must have physically resided in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) in the five years before the day you sign your application. However, this condition does not apply to minors who are applying with a parent or who have a Canadian parent. It applies to children who do not have a Canadian parent or are not applying with a parent.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) highly recommended that you apply with more than 1,095 days of residence in Canada in case of a problem with the computation. You might also be permitted to consider some of the time you spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before becoming a permanent resident.

Filing Income Tax

You may need to file taxes in Canada for at least three years during the five years right before the date you apply.

Language Skills

If you are between 18 and 54, you must show proof that you can speak and listen at a specific level in either English or French, Canada's official languages, on the day you sign your application. To become a citizen, you must attain Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 or above. As a result, you can:

• take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics
• understand simple instructions, questions, and directions
• use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses
• show you know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself

Meanwhile, IRCC assesses your language skills in a variety of ways, such as

• review the evidence you submit demonstrating your language skills
• IRCC may take note of how well you communicate with citizenship officials during the application process
• IRCC may assess your language skills during a hearing with a citizenship official, if necessary

Pass a Canadian Citizenship Test

Furthermore, if you are between the ages of 18 and 54, when you sign your application, you must take the citizenship test. The 30-minute exam consists of multiple-choice and true/false questions. Both English and French versions of the exam are offered. The cutoff point is 15/20. You will be required to answer questions about Canadian rights and obligations as well as the nation's history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols.

How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship

You can submit an online or paper application for Canadian citizenship. You cannot use both applications. Although applying online is the preferred method, you can do so as long as:

• you meet Canada's citizenship requirements
• you are 18 years old or older;
• have a valid email address
• Only applying for yourself;
• you haven't included time spent outside of Canada as a Crown servant or family member of a crown servant.

Moreover, you must submit your application along with the required materials, such as proof of your language ability and the application cost. Your charges may include the processing fee and the citizenship fee. When your application is prepared for submission, you must pay your fees online and return the fee receipt along with it.

Oath of Citizenship and Ceremony

This is the final step to becoming a Canadian citizen. Citizenship ceremonies are in place throughout the country and all year. If you are 14 or older, you must take the oath and attend the citizenship ceremony. In addition, parents are required to obtain citizenship certificates for children under 14. Although not needed, children under the age of 14 are welcome.

You must wait to get your citizenship certificate before requesting a passport after the ceremony. If you hold a valid Canadian passport, you can lawfully enter Canada. However, a travel document is not a citizenship certificate.

FAQs

To sum up, here are some frequently asked questions on Canadian citizenship.

What is the fastest way to get Canadian citizenship?

There are several ways to become a Canadian citizen, some of which are faster than others. However, you can apply for urgent processing under certain circumstances, such as:

• Needing Canadian citizenship to:
• apply for a job
• avoid losing your job
• go to a Canadian school, college, or university
• needing to travel because of death or severe illness in your family, and you can't get a passport in your current nationality
• receiving a successful Federal Court decision on an appeal on a previous application for citizenship

Are there ways to get Canadian citizenship without having permanent resident status?

By settling permanently in Canada, foreign nationals can become citizens. Once they have been in Canada for three years, they can submit a citizenship application. "Naturalization" is the term for this procedure. You might, however, be able to petition for citizenship in particular situations even if you've never held permanent resident (PR) status. It's referred to as a "gift of citizenship."

How long does it take to grant Canadian citizenship?

An online application for Canadian citizenship typically takes 27 months to process. This includes finishing your application, passing the citizenship test, and participating in the citizenship ceremony and interview. Then, within 17 months, you should obtain your citizenship certificate or other proof of citizenship.

Do I become a Canadian citizen when I marry a Canadian?

Marrying a Canadian citizen does not automatically make you a Canadian citizen. Spouses, partners, and common-law partners don't have a unique application process. You and your partner must fulfill the prerequisites for general citizenship, which include physically residing in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the five years before filing your application.