Becoming a Canadian citizen is an exciting milestone with many benefits. The privileges of citizenship and Canada’s high quality of life are key reasons why people worldwide aspire to settle here. As a result, immigration to Canada has steadily increased over the past decade. If you’re wondering how to get Canadian citizenship, understanding the process is the first step.
Compared to permanent residents, Canadian citizens enjoy additional rights such as voting and holding a Canadian passport.
In this blog, we cover the benefits of Canadian citizenship, eligibility criteria, requirements, how to get Canadian citizenship, citizenship tests, and processing time, helping you make informed decisions about your journey to becoming a Canadian citizen.
Table of Content
1Canadian Citizenship2Benefits of Canadian Citizenship3Canadian Citizenship Eligibility4Canadian Citizenship Requirements5How to get Canadian Citizenship6Canadian Citizenship Test7Canadian Citizenship Processing Time8Canadian Citizenship by Descent9Conclusion10Frequently Asked Questions
Canadian Citizenship
Are you already a Canadian citizen? If not, becoming one could be a life-changing decision. So, how does one become a Canadian citizen? There are many ways, in some cases, you may automatically become one.
You may automatically become a Canadian Citizen if
- by birth if you are born in Canada
- born outside of Canada to a Canadian-born parent, either legal or biological or to a parent who became a naturalised citizen before your birth
- have received Canadian citizenship as a minor when a parent or legal guardian applied for your citizenship
- had become a citizen because of the changes in the Citizenship Act that happened in 2009 and 2015
- had applied for and received your Canadian citizenship
You do not get Canadian Citizenship automatically:
- if you marry a Canadian citizen – Being the spouse of a Canadian citizen, you do not automatically become a Canadian citizen. The eligibility criteria for citizenship apply to everyone, spouses aren’t exempted or do not have any special process. But, your Canadian spouse can sponsor you for permanent residency. Later, you can apply for citizenship after you have met the eligibility criteria
- you are adopted by a citizen of Canada
- had your refugee claim accepted by the Canadian Government
- were born outside of Canada to Canadian parent(s) on or after 2009, April 17, and neither parent was born or naturalised in Canada
Another thing to note is that you are not a citizen if had been born in Canada to foreign diplomats, have your citizenship revoked, or have renounced your citizenship and never applied to get it back.
Benefits of Canadian Citizenship
Here are the key benefits of Canada citizenship:
1. Right to Live and Work Anywhere in Canada
Canadian citizens can live, work, or study in any province or territory without any restrictions, offering complete freedom of movement in the country.
2. Canadian Passport (One of the World’s Strongest)
A Canadian passport is known to be one of the worlds strongest passport. Which provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries, making international travel easier and safer.
3. No PR Renewal or Residency Worries
Canada citizenship is permanent. Thus there is no need to renew PR cards or meet physical residency requirements any more after getting Canada Citizenship.
4. Full Voting Rights in Canada
Canadian citizens can vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections and participate in Canada’s democratic process.
5. Protection from Deportation
The best part is that, Canadian citizens cannot be deported, even if immigration policies or laws change.
6. Access to More Job Opportunities in Canada
Many government and public-sector jobs in Canada are open only to Canadian citizens.
Canadian Citizenship Eligibility
Canadian citizenship eligibility depends on permanent resident status, physical presence in Canada for 3 years, tax compliance, language proficiency, and a clean legal record.
Make sure you meet all the eligibility criteria before you apply for Canadian Citizenship. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
1. Must be a Permanent Resident
You must be a permanent resident of Canada. It is not necessary to apply for citizenship with a valid PR card. You can apply with an expired PR card. However, it’s important to note that you must still meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Must have Lived in Canada for 3 years
You must have lived in Canada for more than 1095 days (3 years) during the five years before your date of application. Minors are exempted from this criteria.
3. Income Tax Filing Proof
Before the date of your application, you must have filed your taxes for the last 3 years.
4. Language Skills
For people between 18 and 54, you have to submit proof of your language skills either in English or French. According to the Canadian Language Benchmark, you must score a Level 4 or higher.
5. Pass the Citizenship Test
Similarly, if you are between the ages of 18 and 54, you have to take a citizenship test on the day you are to submit your application.
6. Take the Oath of Citizenship
You must take the Oath of Citizenship to pledge your allegiance to Canada if your citizenship application is approved.
7. No Criminal Records
You must have no record of criminal activities during your stay in Canada. You shouldn’t be under review for immigration or fraud, which can hinder your application procedure.
Canadian Citizenship Requirements
To apply for Canadian citizenship, the requirements for adults ( age 18 and above) must:
- Be a Permanent Resident (PR) of Canada
- Have met the minimum physical presence requirement in Canada
- Have filed income taxes
- Prove language proficiency in English or French (ages 18–54 only)
- Pass the citizenship test (ages 18–54 only)
- Take the Oath of Citizenship
- Not be under a prohibition
To apply for Canadian citizenship, the main requirements needed for minors ( age below 18) is given by:
| Category | Minor 5(2) | Minor 5(1) |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Status | Has a Canadian parent OR parent applying for citizenship | No Canadian parent |
| Who Can Apply? | Parent or legal guardian | Custodian or the minor themselves |
| Permanent Resident (PR) | Required | Required |
| Physical Presence in Canada | Not required | Required |
| Tax Filing | Not required | Required (if applicable) |
| Citizenship Test | Not required | Not required |
| Oath of Citizenship | Required (ages 14–17) | Required (ages 14–17) |
| Prohibition | Must not be under prohibition | Must not be under prohibition |
How to get Canadian Citizenship
Once you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for Canadian citizenship by following the step-by-step process outlined below:
1. Meet all the eligibility criteria before you apply
2. Do collect all the required documents you need to apply
3. Fill out the application form correctly without any mistakes
4. Submit the completed application form with other supporting documents to the appropriate Canadian government bodies
5. Wait for your application to be processed which may take a few months
6. After the processing, attend the citizenship test and interview, to assess your knowledge of Canada
7. After that take the oath of Citizenship to confirm your status as a Canadian citizen
Becoming a Canadian citizen can boost your career by opening up more job opportunities in Canada and giving you equal rights in both public and private sector roles.
Canadian Citizenship Test
After you have applied, you have to wait until you receive your invitation to attend the Citizenship test. This test contains 20 questions about a Canadian citizen’s rights and responsibilities. It includes questions about Canadian history, laws, government, symbols, economy and geography. Applicants are required to get 15 out of 20 questions correct to pass the test.
You can refer to the official study guide, ‘Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship’. You can even take the test online. After passing the test, you will be invited to meet with a citizenship official. The final step is to attend the citizenship ceremony where you are to take the oath of citizenship if you are above 14 years old.
People above the age of 55 do not have to attend the test but they have to take the interview in some cases, this applies to minors above the age of 14. If you fail the test, you can reapply after you have met the other eligibility criteria. You will be given a date to rewrite the test which usually takes place 4 or 8 weeks after your first attempt. You have three chances to pass the test. Suppose you fail the test three times, you may be later invited to a hearing with a citizenship official.
Language Test for Canadian Citizenship
To pass the test, you must meet certain Canadian citizenship language requirements. It can be a diploma, certificate, transcript, or test results. You must submit proof of completing or attending a program where the medium of instruction is either French or English. Accepted language Canadian citizenship tests include CELPIP and IELTS.
Canadian Citizenship Processing Time
The average processing time for Canadian citizenship is 5–9 months from the date the application is submitted.
here the processing time refers to the period from when IRCC receives a complete application from the applicant until a final decision is made. It can vary based on the type of application, how quickly the submitted documents are verified, and other individual factors.
Canadian Citizenship by Descent
Canadian citizenship by descent applies to individuals born outside Canada to a Canadian citizen parent. If at least one parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of the child’s birth, the child may automatically acquire Canadian citizenship.
Traditionally, citizenship by descent was limited to the first generation born outside Canada. This meant that children born abroad to parents who were themselves Canadian citizens by descent were generally not eligible for automatic citizenship, except in specific circumstances.
The new Bill C-3 changes this significantly:
The Bill C-3 effectively updates Canadian citizenship by descent law under the new Canadian citizenship rules by removing the restrictive first-generation limit in many cases, restoring citizenship to people previously excluded, and creating a consistent multi-generation path forward with a substantial connection requirement.
Conclusion
Canadian citizenship is a status, more than that, it’s a commitment to becoming part of a nation that values diversity, equality, and opportunity. So by understanding and meeting the eligibility requirements, gathering the right documents, and following the steps, you’ll be well on your way to starting a new chapter and a life as a Canadian citizen.
For official guidelines and updates, applicants can refer to IRCC, the Government of Canada’s official citizenship authority.
To learn more about Canadian Citizenship and check your eligibility, get in touch with our team of experts at CanApprove for free!
Frequently Asked Questions
