Canadian Citizenship is the final step of a long journey you started years ago. After you are approved to come to Canada as a Permanent Resident (landed immigrant) and have lived in Canada for a period of 3 years within the past 5 years, you may qualify to become a Canadian citizen. Those who have lived in Canada prior to their landing date may qualify for a credit of time and shorten their waiting period.

As a general rule, individuals with three years of permanent resident status during the preceding five years can qualify for Canadian citizenship. Other conditions for the individual to qualify are that they:

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·       Be 18 years old or older;

·       Have adequate knowledge of Canada

·       Pass the Citizenship Language Requirement, if under the age of 55;

·       Not be under a removal order;

·       Not have a criminal prohibition;

 

Once you become a full citizen, you are able to vote, hold office and get jobs that are reserved only for citizens, and travel for long periods of time, with the ability to always be able to come home to Canada.

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We assist Permanent Residents with both simple and complex Citizenship cases, and are always delighted when our clients complete their journey to full Canadian Citizenship.

 

We are here to help you, and look forward to hearing from you when you are ready to apply.

Having a Canadian Citizenship gives you a number of benefits and one of our staff at Arborway Immigration will be pleased to explain your benefits as a Citizen as well as the process to obtain your Canadian Citizenship.

 

Canadian Citizenship

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the federal department that manages Canadian citizenship, both for those applying for citizenship and for current Canadian citizens.

Since 2010, Canada has welcomed an average of more than 260,000 permanent residents each year. Many of these newcomers are in the process of becoming Canadian citizens, and many more will apply for Canadian citizenship in the future. When that process is complete, they take loyalty oaths pledging their commitment to the responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship.

Citizens of Canada are proud of their citizenship and the status, rights, and freedoms that it provides.

 

Canadian Citizenship Eligibility

A Canadian immigrant may apply for Canadian Citizenship after spending at least three years in Canada as a permanent resident.

Currently, in order to be eligible for Canadian citizenship the following requirements must be met:

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·       Applicants must have Canadian permanent resident status and have lived in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) out of the past five years before applying (unless there are exceptional circumstances).

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·       Children under 18 must also have permanent resident status, but do not have to satisfy the three-year requirement.

 

·       Applicants must be able to speak either one or both of Canada's two official languages (English or French) well enough to communicate in Canadian society.

 

·       Individuals between the ages of 18 and 54 must submit proof of language proficiency.

 

·       Applicants cannot have a criminal history considered prohibitive to granting Canadian citizenship (as decided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC).

 

·       Applicants must be aware the rights and responsibilities of citizens and have a basic knowledge of Canada's geography, political system, and history.

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·       Applicants must submit a formal application to IRCC and pay a government processing fee and a right of citizenship fee.

Eligible candidates can apply for Canadian citizenship. Once approved, they will be required to take a citizenship test (for applicants between 18 and 54 only. Successful applicants must then attend a citizenship ceremony where they receive a certificate of Canadian citizenship and officially become new Canadian citizens.

 

Canadian Citizenship Ceremony

Once you are approved as a Canadian citizen, you can attend a Citizenship Ceremony to take Canada's Oath of Citizenship.

Rights and Responsibilities of Canadian Citizens

Canadian permanent residents enjoy many, but not all, of the rights of Canadian citizens. Learn the additional rights that you will have as a Canadian citizen. 

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These rights include:

·       Equality rights

·       Mobility rights

·       Aboriginal Peoples' rights

·       The right to peaceful assembly

·       The right to vote

·       Freedom of thought

·       Freedom of speech

·       Freedom to practice religion

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These responsibilities include:

·       To obey Canadian law.

·       To express one’s opinions freely while respecting the rights and freedoms of others.

·       To help those in your community, for example, through volunteering.

·       To take responsibility to protect our environment and preserve our heritage.

·       To eliminate discrimination and injustice.

 

Dual Citizenship

Canada recognizes dual citizenship. You are not required by Canada to give up your previous citizenship once you become a Canadian citizen.

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Citizenship Certificate

A citizenship certificate is a document that shows someone is a Canadian citizen or not. It cannot be considered as a travel document. You must get a Canada Passport to travel outside Canada. If you are a Canadian citizen who was born outside Canada, you might need to apply for a citizenship certificate. If you were born in Canada then also you should apply for Canada citizenship certificate. Even a Canadian provincial or territorial birth certificate is enough to prove Canadian citizenship.

Canadian citizens who are 15 years of age or below will not be required to present a Canada immigration passport while traveling to the US. Minors will only require to present a proof of their citizenship. Also, Canadian citizens who are 18 years and younger may need to present a proof of citizenship only while traveling in a group with an approved supervision of an adult.