Today, July 1, 2022, Canada celebrates 155 years of the Canadian constitution. It is a day where Canadians celebrate not only the founding of the country but a strong and vibrant multicultural society where everyone can be free from the threat of persecution, regardless of race, religion or gender.
Canada is the home of 38 million Canadians. According to the 2016 Census, 7.5 Million people (approximately 22% of the Canadian population) are immigrants. The table below shows the top 5 countries of origin for immigrants in 2016.
Ranking | Country | Percentage of Immigrants |
1 | India | 8.9% |
2 | China | 8.6% |
3 | Philippines | 7.8% |
4 | United Kingdom | 6.6% |
5 | United States of America | 3.4% |
If you are a permanent resident living in Canada and celebrating Canada day with countless other Canadians this year, this is an excellent time to look into how to become a Canadian citizen in time for future Canada Day festivities.
The choice to become a Canadian citizen may seem daunting, perhaps even overwhelming, but deciding to take that first step is a great choice. We're here to make it easier and help you through the steps to becoming a Canadian citizen.
Who is eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship?
To apply for Canadian citizenship, your first step is to become a Canadian permanent resident. If you are not already a Canadian permanent resident, find out how you can make the transition from a temporary resident or foreign national to a Canadian permanent resident here.
Once you become a Canadian permanent resident, you need to fulfil the residency requirement before applying for Citizenship.
What is the residency requirement for Canadian citizenship? How long does it take to be a citizen in Canada?
Before applying for Canadian citizenship, you must have lived in Canada for at least three years (or 1 095 days) out of the last five years before you sign your citizenship application. It is important to remember that the five-year period ends on the date you sign your application! Giving yourself an extra week's buffer can help in making sure that your application progresses smoothly.
Once the application has been submitted, it can take up to 27 months before your application is processed by the government.
What can I do while waiting for the application to be processed?
Admittedly, 27 months (just over 2 years) is a long time to wait! But this time can be put to good use by studying for the Canadian citizenship exam.
All applicants for Canadian citizenship who are 18 to 54 years old must pass a citizenship exam. The exam is a 20-question multiple-choice and true-or-false exam. To pass the exam, you need to have 15 correct answers. The questions cover Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols. To find out more about the test, check out the Study Guide.
Do I have to swear (or solemnly affirm) an oath to the Queen?
Yes. Once your fees have been paid, and you have passed your citizenship test, the final step is to make an oath to the Queen and her successors. The oath must be taken by all persons fourteen years or older at the citizenship ceremony.
To summarize...
What are the qualifications to become a Canadian citizen?
Be a permanent resident
Have lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years (or 1 095 days)
If necessary, file your taxes
Pass a citizenship test
Demonstrate your knowledge of English and/or French
What can prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen?
You have committed a crime in or outside of Canada
You are charged with, on trial for, or in the process of appealing an offence
You have a removal order
War crimes
You have had a previous citizenship application refused for misrepresentation in the past 5 years
You have had your Canadian citizenship revoked because of fraud in the past 10 years.
How much does it cost to become a Canadian citizen?
At this point, you may be wondering: what is the cost of all of this? The processing fee for Canadian citizenship for anyone aged 18 and over is $630 Canadian. An applicant who is under 18 has a processing fee of $100 Canadian.
Seeking the assistance of a lawyer or immigration consultant to help in the process can also incur legal fees of up to $5 000 depending on the complexity of the application and the firm you choose to assist in processing your application.
If you would like assistance in applying for Canadian citizenship or want to know whether you are eligible to apply, contact the Law Office of Kristina Archer today. I'll work with you on a plan to best help you and your family as you take the next step in your journey towards citizenship.
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