How to Get Canada Citizenship- Key Things Worth Knowing

How to get Canada citizenship? This is a common question posed by innumerable aspirants, especially students and working professionals who wish to settle in the country. Here we will talk about the various ways to participate in the citizenship process in Canada and obtain that coveted certificate.

Benefits of Canadian citizenship

Getting Canada citizenship by investment or taking the PR to citizenship Canada pathway will benefit you. Here are some advantages enjoyed by those getting Canadian citizenship: 

• Eligibility for more employment opportunities in Canada. 
• Eligibility to run for political positions or vote. 
• No anxieties about any loss of official status. 
• Traveling with a Canadian passport worldwide. 
• No need for the renewal of immigration documents. 
• You can travel to 180 countries without a visa, including Australia, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, China, and countries in the EU (European Union). 
• Dual citizenship is recognized by Canada, enabling you to retain your original home citizenship. 
• You have eligibility for getting health insurance for free as Canadian citizens. 
• You can set up your own business in North America. 
• You need not pay taxes on income that you earn abroad or inheritance. 
• Enjoy attractive benefits, including pension, lower taxes, and more. 
• Enjoy higher standards of living and public infrastructure. 

Check Eligibility to Study in Canada

How to get Canada citizenship- Ways and means

If you are wondering how to get Canada citizenship for Indians, you need to fulfill the following conditions: 

• Be a permanent resident of the country. 
• Demonstrate proof of your language proficiency. 
• Should have stayed in Canada for three years out of the last five years. 
• Pass an examination on your responsibilities, rights, and duties as a Canadian citizen, along with demonstrating your knowledge of the country. 
• Should have filed your taxes if required. 

There are different guidelines regarding Canada citizenship by investment for Indians, and they vary across provinces. Quebec, for example, requires an investment of CAD 1,200 for five years at no interest. This works out to roughly INR 70,000-71,000 only. There are some additional requirements if you are applying as a:

• minor citizen (under 18 years of age)
• present/past CAF (Canadian Armed Forces) member applying as part of the fast-track procedure
• Applying for an adopted child born outside the country and a past citizen of the country who desires his/her citizenship back again. 

You will not automatically get citizenship by marrying a Canadian citizen. You should meet the same criteria mentioned above. If you have a grandparent or parent in Canada, you can be a citizen. Irrespective of your age, if you are applying for citizenship, you should possess the country’s PR (permanent resident) status. To answer your questions about the question asked, ‘How to get citizenship after availing PR in Canada?’, you should review all your documents and check your eligibility. You can apply with valid or expired PR cards alike. You should be devoid of scrutiny for Canadian authorities’ fraud or immigration linked reasons or removal orders. You should comply with all the conditions for your PR status, i.e., medical screening. 

How many years to get citizenship in Canada?

You should have been physically present in the country for a minimum of 1,095 days (three years) in the last five years before signing the application. If you have more than this figure, you should apply it to ensure a smoother process. You can include the time spent as a protected individual or temporary resident in Canada in some cases or the time spent outside Canada as a Crown servant or their family member. 

You may have to file taxes in the country for a minimum of three years in the last five years from the application date. You will have to demonstrate proof of language proficiency in either English or French, the two official languages in the country. Applicants between 18 and 54 should submit score sheets and communicate suitably with officials throughout the procedure and during citizenship hearings if required. You should adhere to the CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) of Level 4 or more. You must also have cleared your test of citizenship. 

Processing times of visas stand as the following- 

• You must keep checking your application status page for learning about the processing aspect. 
• You can usually get a citizenship certificate or proof within 15 minutes which has been updated by the authorities in the wake of COVID-19 outbreaks worldwide. 
• Applications from outside the USA and Canada may also take a longer duration. 
• Delays are currently expected in the acknowledgment of receipt emails and letters. 

Application Procedure for Canadian Citizenship

You can always apply online, although not everyone can get this benefit. Refrain from online applications if you have already submitted your application on paper. You can only apply online in case you meet the following requirements: 

• Valid email ID. 
• You are already eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. 
• You are a minimum of 18 years of age while applying online. 
• You are only applying for yourself without any family class sponsorship Canada requirements. 
• You do not include the time spent outside Canada while computing your physical presence in the country. 

Those not meeting these criteria should apply on paper only. Here are the steps involved: 

• Get your application package, including the guide and all necessary forms. You should choose the right application form- there are separate forms available for adults (18 or more), guardians/parents applying for a minor (under 18), adults serving with the CAF, minor without any Canadian parent and applying individually, a stateless person with a Canadian parent, and those adopted by Canadian citizens. 
• Pay the application costs, which depend on factors like age and category and may include the right of citizenship charge and processing fee. You can always pay your fee online and then apply the receipt. 
• You should sign the application form, date the same properly, have the same date on your physical presence calculation and application form, and get a printout of the CIT 0407 form or Online Physical Presence Calculator. 
• Submit the application form and all checklist documents via courier/mail 
• You will receive the form back if the calculated date exceeds 90 days before the authorities receive your application. 
• If you are applying for multiple individuals, put all the forms in the same envelope. 

These are the addresses that you should keep in mind: 

Mailing Address- 

Case Processing Centre – Sydney

Citizenship Grants, PO Box- 7000, 

Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6V6, Canada

Courier Address- 

Case Processing Centre – Sydney

Citizenship Grants, 47–49, Dorchester Street, 

Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 5Z2, Canada 

Documents Needed for Citizenship

The documents required may vary, depending on various parameters and factors. Here is a general guide for your perusal (although you should always scrutinize the checklist). 

• Translation of documents in French or English if some documents are not in these two languages. You will also require an affidavit or sworn statement from the individual conducting this translation if he/she is not a certified translator from Canada. Translations from individual applicants or their family members are not acceptable. 
• Original CIT 0407 printout or the Online Physical Presence Calculation. 
• Colour photocopies of all passport pages or travel documents, showing your photograph, name, birth date and place, document number, expiration, and issue dates, etc. If these documents are absent, offer your explanation in question number 14. 
• Photocopies of two personal identification documents. Some examples include PR cards, biographical passports, driver’s licenses, senior citizen cards, health insurance cards, foreign identity documents, etc. 
• Those falling under the age bracket of 18 to 54 years should provide photocopies of English/French language proficiency tests, transcripts/certificates/diplomas from a post-secondary or secondary program in Canada or other countries (the language of study should be either of these two languages) and proof of accomplishing CLB Level 4 or more through the Government training program. You need to furnish supporting documents if you fail to demonstrate English or French language skills due to any medical conditions.
• Those unable to provide these copies due to medical reasons should likewise provide supporting documents. 
• Two identical photographs for citizenship. 
• Application fees of CAD 630 (INR 36,000-37,000) for adults or lower for minors. 
• Document checklist or CIT 0007 form and all the necessary documents listed above. 

Difference between PR and Citizenship

There is a difference between citizenship and PR. Permanent residence status is a must irrespective of age if you are applying to get citizenship in Canada. For this, you must comply to all the rules and guidelines set out by the Canadian Government and should be free from any criminal records like fraud or immigration reasons. You do not always need a valid PR card to apply for citizenship. Both valid and expired cards will do in this scenario. You can become a permanent resident by applying via any Canadian province, taking the pathway of becoming an entrepreneur in special categories, getting help from spouse/family members in Canada, or going via Quebec, which has special criteria. 

The only difference between Permanent residence and citizenship is that the latter grants the rights to people to vote, run for political office, get specific jobs that require high-security clearance, and zero issues about traveling around the world, renewing documents, and so on. PR otherwise grants you the right to study, work, and travel anywhere in the country and get healthcare coverage. 

Canadian Citizenship Test

If you fall under 18-54 years of age, you will have to appear for the citizenship test. You will have to answer questions on citizens’ rights, duties, and responsibilities along with the country’s geography, history, economy, laws, Government, and symbols. 

The test is taken in either English or French and requires 30 minutes with a maximum of twenty questions (15 correct answers grant you a pass mark). You will have to answer multiple-choice false/true questions and answer questions based on the Discover Canada official study guide for citizenship. The test may be oral, but it is mostly written. 

Who Needs to Attend an Interview?

Here are some of the key details that you should keep in mind: 

Minors are only called for interviews where are questions to be asked.  

Oath of Citizenship

The Oath of Citizenship is the last step in the process of becoming a citizen of Canada. The ceremonies are held throughout Canada and at all times of the year. Special ceremonies take place throughout Citizenship Week and Canada Day as well. Adults and children belonging to the age bracket of 14 or more should take the oath. Parents will receive citizenship certificates for their children who are less than the age of 14. Those under 14 are not required to attend mandatorily but are always welcomed at these ceremonies. Around one to two weeks before these ceremonies, people are notified about the location, date, and time. It usually happens around three months after the test of citizenship. 

If you are unavailable for some reason, you may send a message explaining the same and requesting a new date. Failure to present or an insufficient explanation may lead to the application not being processed further. Once the message is received, the ceremony will be rescheduled. You must remain in the room for the whole ceremony. Your notice will state the language of the ceremony (English or French or even bilingual). 

The following documents need to be carried by the person: 

• Notice for the ceremony. 
• Signed Permission Release and Consent form copy. 
• Permanent resident card or confirmation or permanent residence. 
• Record of landing (those who became permanent citizens before 28th June 2002). 
• Two personal IDs and passports. 
• Your chosen Holy Book (optional) for swearing the oath. 

You will swear the oath and receive the citizenship certificate before signing the affirmation of citizenship or oath form. An official or judge will conduct the ceremony, leading the oath for you and many other individuals. You will repeat the words spoken by the official. You can either affirm or swear the oath. 

Canadian Citizen vs Permanent Resident

A person who has a permanent residency permit in Canada is considered a permanent resident and qualifies for numerous advantages available to other citizens. The key distinction is that permanent residents cannot vote, obtain a Canadian passport, or leave the country for extended periods (for months at a time) without risking their residency status. The ability to apply for citizenship in Canada is available to permanent residents once they have met the requirements for living there.

Citizenship in Canada

Adults- 

• Applications should be sent to the CPC, and eligibility criteria should be strictly followed. 
• Applicants should be at least 18 years of age, be permanent residents of Canada, and meet the criteria of making a physical presence in the country for 1,095 days at least in the last five years. 
• You may need to file your income taxes for at least three out of five years. 
• You should demonstrate language proficiency and knowledge of citizenship rights, duties, privileges, and responsibilities. 
• You should not have any unfulfilled criteria for your PR status. 
• You should not get any removal order from the authorities or be barred on security or criminal grounds. 
• You will be filling up the CIT 0002 form and document checklist CIT 0007 is vital along with the photograph rules in your application package. 
• CIT 0177 (Residence Outside Canada), CIT 0464 (Correct a Date of Birth for Citizenship), IMM 5476 (Use of a Representative), and IRM 0002 (Request form for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier) may be needed in some cases.  
• Click Validate at the bottom or top of the form before printing. 
• The last page will be generated with barcodes. 
• Please print the form and sign it, putting the barcode page on the top of the application package. 

Minors- 

• Applications should not be submitted under this subsection 5(2) and form for those applying for proof of Canadian citizenship for children born outside the country to a Canadian parent. 
• The minor should be less than 18 years of age, be a permanent resident, have at least one parent or legally adoptive parent in Canada as a citizen or one applying simultaneously, and cannot have unfulfilled criteria for PR status. 
• They cannot be under any order of removal issued by the authorities or barred under security or criminal grounds. 
• The application page will include the CIT 0008 document checklist, CIT 0003 application form, specifications for the photograph, and the guide. 
• The CIT 0177, CIT 0464, IMM 5476, and IRM 0002 forms may also be required similarly in these applications. 
• The validation and printing procedure is the same as for adults (keeping the barcode page on top). 

Interested to Study In Canada? Apply for Free Counselling

Conclusion

As you can see, obtaining Canadian citizenship is a nuanced procedure with multiple steps to follow. Make a note of everything carefully and take your time while applying to avoid errors. Be honest, truthful, and abide by all regulations of the authorities throughout the process. 

Learn More: Aerospace Engineering in Canada for International Students | Check Canadian Visa Application Status

Also Read:

• Canada vs USA – Study Abroad Explained
• Canada vs. India- A Little Comparison
• Study in Canada
• BBA in Canada
• Master of Education in Canada