Canadian Citizenship Eligibility

Augustina Abbey

Hundreds of thousands of individuals become eligible for Canadian citizenship every year. Becoming eligible for Canadian citizenship entails the likes of assembly residency necessities, with the ability to communicate English and/or French, and never having a legal historical past thought-about prohibitive to turning into a citizen.

Scroll down to see an overview of Canadian citizenship necessities.

Eligibility Criteria

The next standards have to be met to be eligible for Canadian citizenship:

Applicants will need to have Canadian permanent resident status and have lived in Canada for at the very least three years (1,095 days) out of the previous 5 years earlier than making use of (except there are distinctive circumstances).
- Youngsters below 18 should even have permanent resident standing, however don’t have to fulfill the three-year requirement.

Candidates should be capable of communicate both one or each of Canada’s two official languages (English or French) effectively sufficient to speak in Canadian society.
- People between the ages of 18 and 54 should submit proof of language proficiency.

Candidates can’t have a legal history thought-about prohibitive to granting Canadian citizenship (as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC).

Candidates have to be conscious the rights and obligations of residents and have a fundamental data of Canada’s geography, political system, and historical past.

Read also: Canada Super Visa

Candidates should submit a proper utility to IRCC and pay a authorities processing payment and a proper of citizenship payment.

Eligible candidates can apply for Canadian citizenship. Once accredited, they are going to be required to take a citizenship test (for candidates between 18 and 54 solely. Successful applicants should then attend a citizenship ceremony the place they obtain a certificates of Canadian citizenship and formally develop into new Canadian citizens.

Language Requirements

As a way to show language proficiency, candidates should submit one of many following paperwork:

Outcomes from an accredited third celebration take a look at; or
Transcripts or a diploma from a secondary or post-secondary schooling in English or French; or
Proof of attaining Canadian Level Benchmark (CLB) four or increased in sure authorities language applications.

Ineligibility

Canadian citizenship won’t be granted to candidates who:

Don’t meet the minimal required residency days in Canada;
Cannot speak both English or French;
Don’t move their citizenship take a look at and/or interview; or
Cannot present the required proof of residency documentation.

There are additionally a number of legal and criminality points which will make you ineligible for Canadian citizenship.

If any of the next apply to you, you could not qualify for citizenship:

You have had your citizenship taken away throughout the previous 5 years;
You have been convicted of a legal offence previously three years;
You are in jail, on parole or on probation;
You are below elimination order from Canada;
You are below investigation for, or have been convicted of a struggle crime or against the law towards humanity.

Read also: The Great Canadian Geography

Language skills

Canada has two official languages: English and French. If you’re 18 to 54 years of age on the day you sign your utility, you should present you can speak and listen at a selected stage in one in every of these languages.

The methods we measure your language abilities in English or French embody:

reviewing the proof you ship along with your utility
noting how effectively you talk whenever you speak to a citizenship official anytime in the course of the course of
assessing your language stage throughout a listening to with a citizenship official, if obligatory

To develop into a citizen, it’s essential to meet the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 or increased. This implies you’ll be able to:

participate briefly, on a regular basis conversations about widespread subjects
perceive easy directions, questions and instructions
use fundamental grammar, together with easy buildings and tenses
present you understand sufficient widespread phrases and phrases to reply questions and express your self

We settle for numerous certificates, diplomas and assessments as proof of your language abilities.

Pass a citizenship test

In the event you’re 18 to 54 years of age on the day you sign your application, you need to take the citizenship test. You’ll must reply questions in regards to the rights and obligations of Canadians and Canada’s:

history
geography
economy
government
laws
symbols

The test is:

in English or French
30 minutes lengthy
20 questions (move mark: 15 right solutions)
multiple-choice and true or false questions
based mostly on the official citizenship examine information: Uncover Canada
normally written, however could also be oral

There are extra or different necessities if you are:

making use of for a minor (below age 18)
a Canadian making use of on your adopted little one born exterior Canada
a present or former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member applying below the fast-track course of
a previous Canadian citizen who need your Canadian citizenship again (together with present and former CAF members)

Spouses of Canadian citizens

You don’t robotically develop into a citizen whenever you marry a Canadian.

In the event you’re the partner of a Canadian citizen, you should meet the identical necessities listed above (no exception).

Children and grandchildren of Canadian citizens

When you’ve got a Canadian mum or dad or grandparent, you could be a Canadian citizen.

Permanent resident status

No matter your age, if you’re making use of for citizenship, you should have everlasting resident (PR) standing in Canada.

This implies you should not:

be below overview for immigration or fraud causes
be requested by Canadian officers to go away Canada (removal order)
have unfulfilled conditions related to your PR standing, for instance: medical screening

Earlier than making use of for citizenship, it is best to overview the paperwork you acquired when you became a everlasting resident to be sure you’re eligible.

You don’t want a legitimate PR card to use for citizenship. You’ll be able to apply with an expired PR card.

RECOMMENDED LINKS

Inadmissibility: Transit Through Canada

Canadian Experience Class Easy Eligibility Criteria

Get the best deals on flights to Canada

International Students: Great facts about Working While Studying

Colleges and universities in Canada: Finding the best one for you

Ensure to take a look at the official Canada Web site here.