Everything You Need to Know About Applying for Canadian Citizenship

Last Updated On : July 19 , 2023

Canadian Citizenship is a status that comes with many benefits, including the right to live, work, and study in Canada permanently, the right to vote in Canadian elections, and the right to hold a Canadian passport. If you are considering Canadian Citizenship, it is essential to check your eligibility first.Those between 18 and 54 must additionally demonstrate that they can converse and respond in English or French at a certain level. It would help if you verified your Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) grade of 4 or higher.

Furthermore, individuals aged 18 to 54 must complete a citizenship test when they submit their Canadian citizenship application covering Canadian rights and responsibilities, history, geography, economics, government, laws, and symbols. The test lasts 30 minutes in either English or French, includes multiple-choice and true/false problems, and has a 15 out of 20.

To become a Canadian citizen, what do you need to do?

There are several requirements that you must meet in order to be eligible for Canadian Citizenship. These requirements include:

1. Be a lawful permanent resident
2. Have lived in Canada for three of the last five years.
3. You should have submitted your taxes if necessary.
4. Pass a test on your rights, obligations, and knowledge as a Canadian.
5. Demonstrate your language abilities.

Applying for Canadian Citizenship:

Before applying for Canadian Citizenship, kindly ensure you have completed your Canadian PR process and become a permanent resident of Canada. Your Permanent Residence (PR) card doesn’t have to be valid at the time of application, and you can apply even if it is expired. Holding permanent resident status includes not being under investigation for immigration or fraud, not being subject to a court order, and not having unmet permanent resident status restrictions (e.g., you have yet to obtain a medical screening).

Canadian Citizenship Ceremony

Adults and minors above 14 are required to attend the citizenship ceremony and swear the oath. Citizenship certificates will be issued to parents for their children under 14. Children under the age of 14 do not need to attend this ceremony. Children under the age of 14 do not need to attend this ceremony.

A citizenship judge or official administering the Oath of Citizenship will preside over the ceremony. Many people will join you in taking the oath. The ceremony official will issue the oath in English and French. Following the official, you will repeat the words to the oath as a group. The oath must be repeated in at least one of the main languages, but we recommend you speak it in both. You will also be asked to sing the national anthem in English and Spanish.

You have the option of swearing or affirming the oath. Swearing is used by those who want to allude to their religious views, whereas affirming is used by those who do not wish to imply sacred scripture.

Rights and Responsibilities of Canadian Citizens

As Canadian citizens, we have obligations and rights that are protected by Canadian law and represent our shared traditions, identity, and values. Our libertarian tradition, commonly known as the Great Charter of Freedom, grants every Canadian citizen the following rights:

• Religious and conscience freedom
• Freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression, including freedom of speech and expression, are all guaranteed.
• The right to peaceful assembly
• Associational liberty

These rights come with obligations. As Canadian citizens, we are responsible for the following:

• Following the law
• Participating in a jury
• Voting responsibility
• Being a helpful community member
• Defending our legacy and the environment

Proof of Canadian Citizenship

Only certain documents can be used to verify your Canadian Citizenship.

• Certificates of Citizenship (including older certificates)
• Other documents such as birth certificates and naturalization certificates
• Birth certificates from a province or territory in Canada (there are exceptions)
• Certificates of naturalization issued before January 1, 1947.
• Birth certificates issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977, are eligible for registration.
• Retention certificates were issued between January 1, 1947, and February 14, 1977.

Certificates of Citizenship:

A citizenship certificate is a paper document measuring 812 x 11 inches that verifies your Canadian Citizenship. It includes:

• the certificate serial number
• your surname and given name (s)
• your birth date and gender (male, female, or another gender)
• citizenship’s effective date

Dual Citizenship

Dual Citizenship is widespread in Canada, with nearly one in every twenty Canadians possessing more than one passport – yet it may not be as commonly understood as it should be. After all, the Canadian government provides neither a certificate nor official recognition of dual Citizenship. In many situations, foreign persons who become Canadian citizens can preserve their Citizenship in their original country. Forty-nine countries throughout the world accept dual Citizenship. Keeping one’s original Citizenship can be beneficial in various situations, including travel. When a Canadian possesses dual Citizenship in the country they are travelling to, the requirement for a visitor’s visa is eliminated. So, too, do the fees associated with obtaining that visa.

Conclusion:

To apply for Canadian Citizenship is a dream for many worldwide. And with honest intentions and proper documents, it is one of the easiest things to achieve. We understand that many queries and confusion are on the way, so we are here to solve them. Our team of immigration experts is ready to guide and assist you on your level for the same.

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