You have been in Canada for several years and feel the desire to become a true Canadian by obtaining citizenship?

We explain everything you need to know about citizenship in Canada and the steps to take to obtain it!

WHY BECOME A CANADIAN CITIZEN?

Every year, Canada welcomes hundreds of thousands of new residents, whether temporary or permanent. Among them, many go through the process of officially becoming citizens. In 2022, over 370,000 people obtained Canadian citizenship.

Many foreign nationals are drawn to the quality of life and diverse landscapes that Canada offers. Among immigrants who initially came to Canada with temporary status, many choose to obtain permanent residence. The final step in this desire to stay in the country and become a full-fledged part of it is the application for citizenship.

Citizenship provides additional rights on Canadian soil and is also, for many, a symbol of belonging to the country.

The rights of Canadian citizens include all those of permanent residents. For example, the right to be protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Being a citizen also comes with other rights and benefits:

-The right to participate in the country’s political life: unlike permanent residents, Canadian citizens can vote and run for provincial and federal elections ;

-No longer worrying about the validity of your status: the expiration of a work permit or permanent resident status is no longer an issue once citizenship is obtained. While the permanent resident card expires every 5 years, citizenship is granted for life and does not need to be renewed ;

–Freedom to leave and enter the country without a residency requirement: permanent residence requires having stayed at least 730 days in Canada over the last 5 years ;

-The right to travel, settle, and work anywhere in Canada ;

-The transmission of citizenship to your children, whether born on Canadian soil or not.

STEPS TO APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP

DETERMINE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE

To obtain citizenship in Canada, you must first ensure that you meet certain conditions:

–Hold permanent resident status : you must hold valid permanent resident status at the time of application, even if your permanent resident card has expired.

-Be able to demonstrate presence in Canada for at least 3 years (1,095 days) out of the last 5 years ;

–In some cases, provide income tax returns;

-Not be subject to removal or any legal proceedings;

-Have language skills in French and/or English;

-Pass the citizenship test.

GATHER YOUR DOCUMENTS

To submit your citizenship application, you will need to provide several documents and supporting pieces of evidence. Make sure to anticipate and have all these documents ready before submitting your application.

The documents required may vary depending on the situation. In general, you will need to provide:

-A printout of the calculation of the effective presence period in Canada to justify that you have actually been present in Canada for at least 3 years in the last 5 years.

-A color photocopy of your passport or travel document.

-Photocopies of 2 personal identification documents, which can be: a copy of the personal information page of your passport or travel document, a driver’s license, a health insurance card, a foreign identity document, a permanent resident card.

-Photocopies of language proficiency documents in French and/or English.

-In some cases, you may need to provide income tax returns.

FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FORM AND PAY THE APPLICATION FEES

You can download the application form online. It is important to take the time to fill out the form and carefully read the questions.

The citizenship application incurs fees that you must pay when submitting your application. You can pay them online.

For an adult over 18 years old, the fees total $630. They include $530 in processing fees, non-refundable in case your application is rejected, and $100 in citizenship fees.

You can then submit your application by mail or online.

APPLICATION REVIEW

When you submit your application, the authorities will first check if it is complete and meets the minimum requirements. If so, you will receive an acknowledgment of receipt.

If your application is incomplete, does not meet the minimum requirements, or if you have not attached the fee payment, your application will be returned to you with an explanatory letter on the steps to follow.

TAKE THE CITIZENSHIP TEST

If your application processing is accepted, and you are between 18 and 54 years old, you will be summoned to take the citizenship test. You will receive the summons by email if you have provided an email address in your application. Otherwise, you will receive this summons by phone.

While there are some exceptions, most applicants must take and pass this test.

The test is usually conducted online, in French or English. It consists of a total of 20 questions about the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens, as well as the culture, history, and geography of the country. To pass the test, you must have a minimum of 15 correct answers.

PARTICIPATE IN THE CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY

If your citizenship application is approved, you will be required to participate in a citizenship ceremony, for which you will receive an invitation by email or mail. This is mandatory for adults and children over 14 years old and takes place online or in person.

This ceremony brings together several people who are obtaining their citizenship at the same time. You will recite your citizenship oath and receive your citizenship certificate.

Congratulations, you are finally a citizen of the maple leaf country!

Canada is an immigration country that welcomes several thousand foreign nationals each year. Among them, some develop a true affection for the country and choose to become citizens to settle permanently and enjoy all the rights associated with this status. The path to obtaining citizenship is not direct and requires several steps.