Citizenship

For many immigrants who begin a new life in Canada, citizenship is the final goal of this long journey. Canada offers another benefit of holding Dual citizenship

You can obtain Canadian citizenship by three ways:

• By the right of soil, you are born in Canada which give you instant citizenship of Canada
• By the right of blood, in certain cases you get citizenship of Canada if you are born outside Canada to a Canadian parent
• By naturalisation, also known as “Grant of Citizenship” in which you meet certain requirements after becoming a permanent resident

Requirements for Canadian Citizenship

As with all Canadian Immigration programs, permanent residents must meet a specific set of requirements to be deemed eligible to apply for citizenship.

• have lived in Canada for at least 3 out of the last 5 years (1,095 days)
• have filed taxes if you need to
• pass a citizenship test
• prove your language skills in English or French

Applying for Citizenship

Following amendments to the Citizen Act which came into effect in late 2017, Canadian permanent residents can now expect a faster, easier citizenship application process. Eligible applicants will be required to pass the Canadian citizenship test and may be asked to undergo an interview before a citizenship judge, if requested by IRCC. Once approved, applicants will attend a Citizenship Ceremony to take the Oath of Citizenship, where they will officially become a Canadian citizen.

We can help you review your eligibility, complete your application, and prepare for your citizenship test and ceremony.

Rights and Responsibilities

Once a permanent resident has been granted Canadian citizenship, they are entitled to the same rights and responsibilities of a natural Canadian citizen. Though permanent residents share many of the same rights as that of a citizen, the most notable differences would be the right to vote in federal, provincial, and municipal Canadian elections, and the elimination of residency obligations.