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Steps To Obtain Canadian Citizenship After Getting Permanent Residency

Canadian Citizenship After Getting Permanent Residency

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You must first obtain permanent residency status to be eligible for Canadian citizenship. This means you must not be under review for immigration or fraud issues, have no removal order against you, and have fulfilled all conditions related to your permanent residency. Additionally, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Meet Canada’s physical presence requirements.
  • File your taxes, if required.
  • Pass a Canadian citizenship test if you are between the ages of 18 and 54.
  • Provide proof of your language skills if you are between 18 and 54.

Physical presence requirements

To meet Canada’s physical presence requirements for Canadian citizenship, you must have resided in Canada for at least three out of the past five years before applying, totaling 1,095 days.

This means you must have physically lived in Canada for that duration.

If you have previously lived in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before obtaining permanent residency, you may count a portion of that time towards the physical presence requirement.

Each day spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person in the last five years can be counted as half a day, up to a maximum of 365 days.

It is recommended by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to apply with more than 1,095 days to account for any potential miscalculations or issues with your calculation.

File your taxes

As part of the requirements for Canadian citizenship, you may need to file income taxes in Canada for at least three years within the five years preceding your citizenship application.

Even if you have only lived in Canada for part of a year, you may still be obligated to file an income tax return if you:

  • Are liable to pay taxes for that year;
  • Wish to claim a refund;
  • Seek to receive benefits and credit payments from the Canadian government.

Pass a Canadian citizenship test

If you fall between 18 and 54, you must take a Canadian citizenship test as part of the citizenship application process.

The test is a 30-minute assessment that includes 20 questions covering various topics such as the rights and responsibilities of Canadians, Canada’s history, geography, laws, government, and more. You can take the test in either English or French, Canada’s two official languages.

Prove your language ability

If you fall within the age range of 18 to 54, you must provide evidence of your proficiency in English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level of 4 or higher.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will evaluate your language abilities in English or French by:

  • Reviewing the documentation you submitted with your application;
  • Assessing your communication skills during interactions with a citizenship official throughout the application process;
  • Conduct a language assessment during a hearing with a citizenship official if necessary.
  • IRCC accepts certificates, diplomas, and tests as valid proof of language proficiency.

Ineligibility for Canadian citizenship

You may only be eligible for Canadian citizenship if you meet the eligibility criteria. Additionally, there are legal and criminality factors that can render you ineligible for Canadian citizenship, which include:

  • Having your citizenship revoked within the past five years;
  • Being convicted of a criminal offense within the past three years;
  • Being incarcerated, on parole, or probation;
  • Being subject to a removal order from Canada;
  • Being under investigation for, or convicted of, a war crime or crime against humanity.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the processing time for a Canadian citizenship application is approximately 24 months. This includes processing the complete application, the citizenship test, the interview, and the ceremony.

Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining Canadian citizenship after permanent residency is an exciting and rewarding journey. It requires meeting the eligibility criteria, which include demonstrating language proficiency, adhering to legal and criminality requirements, and undergoing the necessary application process.

With determination and perseverance, you can navigate through the steps, from submitting your application to passing the citizenship test, attending an interview, and finally participating in the citizenship ceremony.

Achieving Canadian citizenship grants you the rights and privileges of a citizen and opens doors to new opportunities and a sense of belonging in this diverse and welcoming country. It’s a meaningful accomplishment that marks the culmination of your commitment to making Canada your forever home.

As you proudly raise the Canadian flag and embrace your new citizenship, you become part of a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates diversity and values inclusion.

Contact us now to learn more about Candian Citizenship options!

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