Canada citizenship application is the form submitted to become a permanent resident of Canada. Various requirements must be fulfilled before applying for Canadian citizenship. The citizenship application can be filled out online or on paper.

Canada is a diverse nation rich in history, culture, beauty, places, and opportunities to study and work. Be it just for study, work, or settling down; it offers plenty of ways to go via the immigration route. The majority of the people studying or on working visas turn into permanent residents and Canadian citizens.

1. Important Requirements of Canada Citizenship Application

1.1. Eligibility:

There are certain eligibility criteria that need to be fulfilled before Canadian citizenship application:

• The candidate should hold a permanent resident (PR) status in Canada
• The person should be residing in Canada for the last three years out of five years.
• Taxes to be paid for the three taxation years, if any
• The eligible English language skill test score should be done
• A citizenship test needs to be cleared
• An oath of the Canadian citizenship

Some criteria for Canadian citizenship application that differ like:

• When you are applying for a minor ( under the age of 18)
• A citizen of Canada applying for a child who is adopted and born outside the country of Canada
• A person who wants Canadian citizenship again (Already a past citizen)
• A member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) now or previously whose application is under a fast-track process.
• Even after marrying a citizen of Canada, you are not eligible for Canadian citizenship. The spouses of the Canadian citizens should also be meeting the same eligibility requirements.
• If a child has Canadian parents or grandparents, then you are considered a Canadian citizen

Let us discuss the above-mentioned requirements in detail before filing the Canadian citizenship application:

1.2. Permanent Residency of Canada (PR)

Permanent residency in Canada is granted to people who have immigrated to Canada for work or to get good jobs after studying there. These candidates are citizens of other countries who apply for Canadian PR.

People who obtain permanent resident status in Canada are required to show their PR card and Canadian passport while travelling. This is required when travelling by airplane, boat, train, or bus. People who do not hold a valid PR card are required to get a permanent resident travel document while travelling back to Canada in any vehicle used for commercial purposes.

People who enter Canada as refugees gain residency under the Government-Assisted Refugee Program or Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. Residence is not gained at the given time, but a refugee claim must be made first. This claim needs to be approved by the Immigration and Refugee Board, and then the PR gets processed.

1.2.1 Responsibilities and Privileges of a PR Citizen

• The people are eligible for almost all the social benefits that Canadian citizens have, including health care benefits.
• You get the opportunity to work, study, and reside anywhere in Canada.
• After the Permanent resident status, you get to apply for Canadian citizenship.
• The candidate is protected under the law and order of Canada and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom.

1.2.2. Restrictions of a PR Holder

• The candidates are not allowed to vote or be involved in any political areas
• They are not allowed to take up jobs that involve any kind of clearance at a high-security level.

1.2.3. Time in Canada

The people who are permanent residents should be physically present in the country for at least 730 days in the last five years. The number of days mentioned should not be continuous but a total of time spent in Canada.

1.2.4. Permanent Resident Status

A person loses the permanent resident status when:

• After a PRTD appeal or inquiry by an adjudicator, you are not considered a permanent resident anymore.
• When a person renounces their claim on permanent residency on a voluntary basis
• When there is a removal order case against you that comes into action
• whenever you become a Canadian citizen

The expiration of your PR card doesn’t affect your residency status. Only an official decision affects your PR status.

1.3. Evaluation of PR Status

Before the Canada citizenship application, you need to fulfill the residence requirements and hold the PR status in Canada. The evaluation is done as:

• The person should not be facing criminal charges or any fraud committed
• Any official removal order of PR status given at any time is checked
• Any unfulfilled residence requirements like medical test issues

Before a person applies for citizenship, you should carefully review all the documents related to permanent residency in Canada. Even with an expired residency, you can fill out the Canada citizenship application.

1.4. Physical Presence in Canada

Before completing the application form for Canadian citizenship, there should be a physical presence of at least 1095 days (3 years) in the complete 5-year span. The applicants are requested to file for citizenship after they have spent more than 1095 days in the country of Canada.

The days included in this calculation can also include time spent as a temporary resident, a crown servant, or a family member of a crown servant outside Canada.

1.5. Income Tax Act

Before you apply for Canadian citizenship, the income tax should be paid for three taxation years during the stay of 5 years under the income tax of the country.

1.6. Language Test

If the age of the candidate applying for Canadian citizenship application is between 18 and 54 years, you need to present a language skill test in English or French as a sign of having adequate knowledge of the language. This skill test needs to be provided on the day you sign the application.

Adequate knowledge of the language means:

• You are able to take part in every day and short conversations about the basic topics
• You are able to understand the simple questions, directions, and instructions
• You are able to use the basic grammar, as in the tenses, and the use simple sentences
• You are able to use enough of the phrases and words to do the right expression

This English language expression is tested by:

• Evaluation of the language skill proof that is sent with the application form
• Speaking is evaluated when you are talking to any official for this citizenship process
• The level of language skill is evaluated by any Canadian official during the citizenship test

The skill test of the English language is accepted in any form like a diploma, certificate, or proof of skill.

1.7. Citizenship Test

After you submit the Canadian citizenship application, the applicant is invited for a citizenship test in Canada. It is a test that is conducted online or even in person, but the format may differ.

The test is based upon questions like the responsibilities and privileges of a citizen of the country. The questions may be about Canadian history, geography, law, government, economy, and the different symbols.

It is a 30-minute test with 20 questions that may be in the form of multiple questions or true/false that may be in French or English language. You need to get 15 out of 20 questions right to pass the citizenship test. If a candidate fails this test twice in a row, the test is re-taken orally by a Canadian official. This oral examination is the last attempt to pass the test.

1.8. Oath of citizenship

The oath of citizenship is only taken when your application is approved, and you are over 14 years old.

The Canada citizenship application should be completed with all the necessary documents and then submitted. Only when the citizenship applicants are fair with their document checklist are they granted citizenship? This application should be duly signed, and the date on the form should be within 90 days of submission; otherwise, it will be returned to you.

To obtain citizenship under the Citizenship Act of Canada, you need to follow the above procedure for Canadian citizenship application. Citizenship Canada is given to the candidate in a citizenship ceremony organized by the country.

Also Read: Do You Need a Sunscreen Stick When Exploring the Canadian Outdoors

Last Updated on May 3, 2024 by Rajeshwari_Das