Application for Canadian Citizenship
Canadian citizenship is highly desired due to the multiple benefits, freedom of movement and status that it guarantees its holders.
This is perhaps why over 140,000 foreigners get Canadian citizenship every year – with more citizenship applications each year!
Eligibility Requirements for Citizenship
You can receive Canadian citizenship through a legal permanent residence or familial lines. However, applicants will need to pass specific eligibility requirements. These requirements are:
- Can demonstrate oral and written proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages (English or French) and provide evidence for such;
- Hold lawful permanent residence;
- Have lived in Canada as a permanent resident for not less than 1,095 days out of 5 years before your application as a citizen;
- Provide proof of filed taxes for at least 3 years over the last 5 years without any misconduct; any income tax that a prospective applicant must receive in full.
IRCC requires proof of proficiency in English or French and promptly returns applications that do not contain any proof of proficiency.
Prospective applicants who are or otherwise have been members of Canada’s Armed Forces may be subject to an expedited, fast-track application process.
If the applicant’s parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of his or her birth, he or she may already be a citizen. In that case, applicants must apply for proof of citizenship.
You automatically receive your Canadian Citizenship certificate after your successful application to become a Canadian citizen. We should also clear out a popular misconception about Canadian citizenship certificates and Canadian citizenship cards. The Canadian government stopped issuing citizenship cards in 2012, the up-to-date document for proof of citizenship is the citizenship certificate. Nonetheless, older types of citizenship certificates (they weren’t uniform in the past) and Canadian citizenship cards are still accepted as proofs of citizenship.q
How to Demonstrate Proficiency in English or French for Canadian Citizenship Application?
This is probably the most frequently asked question about applying for Canadian citizenship. Showing proficiency in language skills (English or French) for citizenship application is actually very easy. If you have a diploma, certificate, or a transcript that shows you attended a secondary or post-secondary program in these languages, congratulations, you just provided evidence you’re proficient in these languages. By the way, these programs do not have to be in Canada, however, if the documents that prove you attended these programs are not in English or French, you would need a certified translation.
If you didn’t attend such programs, you can still easily show your proficiency in many tests accepted by IRCC. For English, IRCC accepts:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General Test – also known as CELPIP – G
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training
For French, they accept:
- Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF)
- Test d’Évaluation du Français adapté au Québec (TEFAQ)
- Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF)
- Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
- Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec (TCFQ)
How Long Does the Application for Canadian Citizenship Certificate Take?
This question depends entirely on circumstances, however, IRCC states that if you’re applying to become a citizen it can take up to 12 months to process your application. Once your application is successful, you will automatically get your Canadian citizenship certificate at the citizenship ceremony.
Please note that if your application is approved, the following step is to take the citizenship test, if required. Then you’ll take the Oath of Citizenship during a citizenship ceremony.
How to check citizenship application status?
You can check the status of your application by visiting Canada’s official website, where you need to choose the application type to have more information. Please note that processing delays due to the COVID-19, applications from those who are exempt from travel restrictions are given priority.
Does someone who was a Canadian citizen as a child but hasn’t lived in the country for a long time remain as a citizen?
Anyone born in Canada is almost certainly a citizen of the country. If you are uncertain of your Canadian citizenship, you may contact the IRCC and seek a check of citizenship records as well as new citizenship documents.
Inadmissibility
Applicants who have recently spent time incarcerated or currently incarcerated for any reason; and as well as those who are serving out their parole or terms of probation, conditional sentences; or have been charged or convicted of an indictable crime CANNOT be Canadian citizens. This is also true for applicants who have seen deportation orders.
In general, there are many scenarios wherein you can become to be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship – let our team of trained experts and lawyers at Canadapt provide tailored, bespoke advice directly relating to your current situation. Canadapt can, and more importantly, will be in a position to provide you with the best option when you finally make the first step towards becoming a full-fledged Canadian. Contact us for a free assessment at your convenience and rest assured that all responses will be held in the strictest confidence.