Applicants for Canadian citizenship must be permanent residents before they can submit their application. Permanent residents are not under investigation for immigration or fraud; they are not under removal orders; and they do not fall under any requirements associated with their permanent residency status. Here’s the process of obtaining Canadian citizenship after permanent residence in Canada.
To submit an application for Canadian citizenship, applicants must have to fulfill several requirements:
- Ensure that Canada’s physical presence requirements are met.
- Make sure you file your taxes (if necessary).
- A citizenship test must be passed in order to become a Canadian citizen (if your age is between 18 to 54).
- Your language skills must be proven (if your age is between 18 to 54).
Requirement of physical presence
An applicant for citizenship must have physically lived in Canada for three consecutive years within the previous five. The Canadian residency requirement requires you to have lived in the country for a total of 1,095 days.
In order to meet the physical presence criterion before becoming a permanent resident, a temporary resident or protected person may count the portion of their time in Canada as such. As long as you have been a temporary resident or protected person in Canada for at least five years, each day you spend can be counted as a half-day. You should apply with more than 1,095 days if you have difficulty calculating, says IRCC.
Obtaining Canadian citizenship after permanent residence – File your taxes
Individuals worried about the citizenship process may need to submit taxes for approximately three out of five years before applying.
Even though they only lived part of the year, they may need to file an income tax return if any of the following apply:
- Payment of all taxes for the year is required.
- Refund claims should be made.
- Interested in receiving credit payments and benefits.
Clear Canadian citizenship test
It is mandatory for Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 and 54 to pass a citizenship test. About twenty questions will be answered during the thirty-minute citizenship test. Several significant topics will be covered, including Canadian history, government, legislation, and geography, as well as the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens. It would be possible to take these tests either in French or in English.
Demonstrate your language skills
The requirement will be for those aged 18 to 54 to demonstrate their ability to speak French or English. It is necessary for students to demonstrate that they have achieved a score of 4 or higher on the Canadian Language Benchmark.
Following are the components IRCC considers and analyzes in order to assess a candidate’s French or English language ability:
- Reviewing the proof provided with the application.
- During the citizenship application process, the individual is observed for his/her ability to communicate effectively with the citizenship officer.
- In the hearing session with the citizenship official, the person’s language proficiency level is assessed.
- Diplomas and certificates are accepted by IRCC as proof of language skills.
Canadian citizenship – Its ineligibility
The person is obviously ineligible for Canadian citizenship if he or she does not meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, anyone with a criminal record, or who has a legal issue on their roster, will be disqualified from applying for citizenship in Canada.
The following factors disqualify a person from becoming a Canadian citizen:
- Consider the scenario of losing your Canadian citizenship status within the last five years.
- In the three years prior to this interview, you had any criminal convictions.
- If you have ever served a sentence of imprisonment or prison, or if you’re currently on parole or probation.
- Additionally, you are in the process of being removed from Canada.
- Whenever you commit a criminal act during a war or against humanity, you’re subject to investigation.
Application for Canadian citizenship will take approximately 24 months, according to the IRCC. Nevertheless, the application will be processed, the interview or ceremony will occur, and the citizenship test will be administered during this period.
