Last Updated on March 29, 2022 by Visa Journal
Do you want to apply for Canadian Citizenship but are unsure how to go about it? Worry not! We’re here to help you out. Every year, hundreds of thousands of immigrate to Canada through multiple streams, and the same number of people meet the Canadian citizenship requirements. Canadian Citizenship provides Canadians with various rights and benefits, but it comes with a set of standards that must be met for someone to be deemed eligible for Citizenship. Here is a detailed description of the Canadian citizenship criteria and application process. All you have to do now is carefully read the procedure.
What is Canadian Citizenship?
The Canadian Citizenship Act, 1946, enacted by the Canadian Parliament in 1946 and taking effect on January 1, 1947, established Canadian Citizenship as a legal status. The Canadian Act, enacted in 1977, now governs Canadian Citizenship. With a few exceptions, almost everyone born in the country is a citizen by default. Foreign nationals who have lived in Canada for at least three years and have permanent residence can naturalize after demonstrating fluency in English or French. If you were born outside of Canada after February 14, 1977, and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth, you are a Canadian citizen.
Canadian citizenship requirements
You must reside in Canada permanently or have resided in Canada for three of the previous five years (1095 days out of 1825 days), have submitted your taxes if applicable, pass a test on your rights, responsibilities, and understanding of Canada, and demonstrate your English or French language abilities.
Additional requirements may apply depending on the situation, such as if you are applying for a minor, a Canadian adopting a child born outside of Canada, a current or former member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) applying under the fast-track process, or if you are a former Canadian citizen seeking to reclaim your Canadian Citizenship (including current and former CAF members).
However, the above conditions specify what you should not do. Here are the concerned points.
- You are a subject of an immigration or fraud probe
- You have been asked to leave the country by the Canadian officials (removal order)
- You are not meeting the conditions relating to your PR status, such as medical examination
Canadian Citizenship: Privileges and Rights
- Canadian citizens have unrestricted entry and stay rights and cannot be deported (but they are subject to Canada’s extradition laws and treaties).
- Citizens may seek consular protection from Canadian diplomatic missions or Australian diplomatic missions when travelling to other countries in specified areas where the two nations have agreed to exchange services.
- They can seek assistance from British embassies and consulates in non-Commonwealth countries where neither Canadian nor Australian consular postings are available.
- While residing in the United Kingdom, Canadian citizens are not considered outsiders and have the same rights as Commonwealth citizens. Exemption from local police registration, voting eligibility in UK elections, and the possibility to enlist in the British Armed Forces.
- Becoming a Canadian citizen will allow you to travel to 183 countries and territories without a visa.
Canadian citizenship application
Permanent residents aged 18 and up who want to apply for a Canadian citizenship should fill out the application. Use an application form that is dated October 2020 or later. The version date is located in the bottom left corner of the form. “CIT 0002 (10-2020),” for example, indicates that the version date is October 2020. The version date is not affected by the date you sign or mail your form.
If you submit your application using an older version of the form, it’ll be sent back to you and you will be asked to resubmit it using the most recent version of the form.
Make sure you are qualified for Citizenship before applying, and gather all necessary documentation for the application, if applicable. One of the most significant conditions is that you must have lived in Canada for at least 3 years in the 5 years before signing your application, there is a date calculator on the IRCC website to confirm if you qualify for the Canadian Citizenship.
If applying for Canadian citizenship application on paper
You’ll be expected to get an application package that contains an instruction manual as well as all of the paperwork you’ll need to complete. The application package is chosen based on the situation, whether it is for an adult, a child supported by an adult, a parent or guardian, or a juvenile without a Canadian parent; adoption by a Canadian citizen, a Stateless individual born to a Canadian parent Adult who served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Whether you’re an adult (above 18) or a minor affects your fees (under age 18). It covers both the processing charge and the fee for gaining Citizenship. The day before you sign the application form, you must be eligible for Canadian Citizenship.
Remember Some Points For Applying for Canadian Citizenship Online
If you meet these specific qualifications, you can also apply for Canadian Citizenship online.
- You are entitled to seek Citizenship in Canada
- have a working email address
- be at least 18 years old while submitting your online application
- only apply for yourself (not with your family)
Conclusion
Becoming a Canadian citizen comes with a slew of benefits and advantages. The application process to become a Canadian citizen may appear complex. However, it is not as difficult as it appears if you pay attention to the details.
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