Canadian Citizenship
Canadian Citizenship Application
Canadian Citizenship Eligibility Criteria
Some points to consider when applying for Canadian Citizenship are as follows.
Permanent resident status
You must be a permanent resident of Canada and fulfill the requirements set by the Canadian government. These must include living in Canada, having a valid visa or permit, and meeting several other criteria to be eligible for Canadian citizenship.
Meet Canada's physical presence requirements
You must have been physically present in Canada for at least three years within the last five years and meet all the citizenship residency requirements before applying for Canadian citizenship. The duration varies depending on different situations, such as children under 18 with PR status do not have to satisfy the 3-year requirement.
File your taxes (if necessary)
It is essential to fulfill your income tax obligations as a potential Canadian citizen before applying for citizenship. If applicable to you, you are required to file taxes in Canada for at least three taxation years that are fully or partially within the five years. It demonstrates your allegiance to being a responsible citizen of Canadian society.
Pass a Canadian citizenship test
You have to take a Canadian citizenship test if you are between the ages of 18 and 54. You will be assessed on your knowledge of Canada's history, geography, government, economy, the rights and responsibilities of Canadians. Adequate preparation, including studying the Discover Canada guide, will greatly increase your chances of success.
Prove your language skills
In addition to the citizenship test, applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 also need to provide proof of their language proficiency in English or French. Through this test, IRCC will evaluate your language skills while communicating with a citizenship official during the application process. It ensures that new citizens can fully merge with Canadian society.
Ineligibility
Individuals are not eligible for Canadian citizenship if they:
- They are under past criminal convictions
- being in prison or being involved in an investigation related to crimes
- They failed to meet the eligibility criteria
- They failed to comply with visa regulations
- They have been previously refused citizenship due to providing false information or documents