Canadian Citizenship
Canadian Citizenship is one of the most sought-after citizenships with Canada’s passport ranked among the strongest and most powerful in the world.
Canadian Citizenship Application
To become a Canadian citizen, a foreign national must first be admitted to Canada as a permanent resident, spend several years as a resident in Canada, and then meet the eligibility criteria to apply for Canadian citizenship. The rights of every person physically present in Canada protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However, only Canadian citizens have the constitutional right to vote in elections.
There are several requirements to submit a Canadian citizenship application. These requirements were amended in October 2017 to provide those wanting to become Canadian citizens greater flexibility to meet the eligibility requirements. There are different requirements depending on whether you are adopted, stateless, an adult or a minor.
To be eligible for a grant of Canadian citizenship as an adult, you must:
| Requirements | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Residency |
You have resided in Canada for at least three (3) years or 1,095 days in the five (5) years preceding your application. Time spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person can count towards your physical presence for a maximum of 365 days. |
| Language | If you are between 18 and 54 years of age, you must demonstrate your English or French language ability. |
| Knowledge | If you are between 18 and 54 years of age, you must demonstrate that you have knowledge of Canada and the responsibilities of a citizen (assessed after you apply for citizenship) |
| Tax | Filed income taxes (if required) for any three (3) taxation years within the five (5) years preceding your application |
You may not be eligible for citizenship if any of the following apply to you:
You have a criminal record
You have pending criminal charges inside or outside of Canada
You have had your Canadian citizenship revoked
You have not met the terms and conditions of your permanent resident status (i.e. you have not completed the medical screening as requested after arriving in Canada)
You have been ordered to leave Canada
You have been refused Canadian citizenship due to misrepresentation
If an applicant is a child and under the age of 18, they will need to be a permanent resident of Canada. They do not have to have lived in Canada for three years, but they must have a parent (biological or adoptive) or legal guardian who is already a Canadian citizen or in the process of applying to become one.
The average processing time of a Citizenship application under this category is 12 months.