Canadian Citizenship applications became available online in August 2021. This new online procedure was introduced because of the Pandemic situation. The government of Canada aimed at digitizing the immigration process. You can use this process by visiting the Canadian government’s online portal.
Defining Canadian Citizenship
Canadian Citizenship was derived from the Canadian Citizenship Act in the year 1947. Those holding a Permanent Residency status do apply for Canadian Citizenship and this amounts to approx. 80 percent of individuals.
Canadian Citizenship surely allows a person to live and work in Canada which is the most beautiful, rich, and educated country.
Canadian Citizenship is a popular topic amongst people and there are numerous FAQs under this category. Let’s explore the FAQs and the perfect answers to them.
Who is a Canadian citizen?
Certain conditions and requirements determine your status as a Canadian citizen, which is listed below:
- Being born in Canada is the most eligible condition of being a Canadian citizen.
- The naturalization process is another condition through which Canadian Citizenship can be attained.
- If supposedly a child is born in Canada and the parent of that child was a Canadian citizen at his birth time or turned out to be a Canadian citizen through naturalization.
- If a Canadian parent had legally adopted a child either on January 1 1947 or after that can also hold Canadian citizenship.
- Canadian birth outside Canada from a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada, starting from January 1, 1947, to April 16, 2009.
How is becoming a Canadian citizen advantageous?
Apart from being able to live and work in Canada, they also have rights equal to those who are permanent residents. They are also allowed to do the following:
- Participation in the elections: Provincial, Municipal and Federal elections.
- They have the right to leave and come back to Canada whenever they would want to without needing to count on the rest of the residency days.
- You also become eligible to apply for a Canadian passport.
- Eligible to participate in political elections.
- Any child who belongs to a citizen of Canada irrespective of his birthplace is a Canadian citizen.
- A Canadian citizenship certificate validates your immigration so the renewal of your document for the same isn’t required.
What requirements are compulsory for becoming a Canadian citizen?
For acquiring naturalized Canadian citizenship, it is important to qualify the following conditions:
- The applicant must hold the status of Permanent Residency.
- The applicant must have lived for a minimum of three years duration from the last 5 years.
- The applicant must have proof of having filed personal income tax for the last three years in the five-year period. They might also be asked to have this under the Income Tax Act.
- The applicant must be able to prove that he has sufficient knowledge about Canada and also the French and English languages. This is applicable to individuals of 18 to 54 years.
Is it important to apply for permanent residency before Canadian citizenship?
Individuals and families are expected to attain permanent residency as the first step. Canada consists of varied immigration programs which create a path for attaining permanent residency status.
Am, I expected to show my intention of residing in Canada?
Initially, a naturalized Canadian citizen was expected to reside in Canada but 2017 from onwards this was not the case.
Is Canada’s law on naturalization better than the laws of other countries?
Canada has the most flexible naturalization process for Canadian citizenship because of the following reasons:
- It permits the possession of dual citizenship.
- It doesn’t expect the newcomers to prove their intention of residing in Canada.
- Residents here have permission to submit citizenship applications within a short period.
- Canada is liberal for letting non-citizens also live and work in Canada while they actualize their Canadian Citizenship status.
- The process of attaining Canadian citizenship is quite clear and objective.
Does Canada allow dual citizenship?
- Canada is flexible and open to individuals having dual citizenship.
- This is also applicable to other countries having dual citizenship for further experience of the rights and privileges of being a Canadian citizen.
Does marrying a Canadian make me eligible for Canadian citizenship?
- Marrying a Canadian doesn’t immediately give you the status of Canadian citizenship.
- The spouse is eligible to raise sponsorship for you to help you obtain permanent residency status further increasing your chance of Canadian citizenship.
What is the Canadian citizenship ceremony?
- It is mandatory for every new citizen to recite the Citizenship oath to become a Canadian citizen. Under 14 children have a choice to not attend the Citizenship Ceremony whereas those above 14 years have to attend it.
- A citizenship certificate consisting of the date is given to the applicant as proof of Canadian Citizenship.
- The Citizenship Ceremony is a celebratory occasion for everyone attending it and is also supported by the government of Canada.
What is the process ahead for Canadian citizenship if someone fails the citizenship test?
- A Citizenship Test is a compulsory step for attaining citizenship in Canada.
- If a candidate is otherwise eligible for the rest of the citizenship criteria but fails in the first attempt of his Citizenship Test, he will be given another chance to clear the test after a period of 4 to 8 weeks.
- Supposedly, if the candidate fails in his second attempt as well, he will then be sent to a citizenship officer for a hearing session.
- The hearing officer will assess the candidate based on his knowledge of Canada along with French and English language proficiency and also interrogate him about Canadian residency.