Are you considering becoming a Canadian citizen?
The Canadian citizenship application process is open for people who have maintained permanent residence in Canada for at least three years. There are several major benefits of becoming a citizen of Canada, as well as some requirements you must meet in order to be eligible.
Becoming a citizen of Canada can open your life to wonderful new possibilities. In this guide, we’ll share some of the many benefits of becoming a Canadian citizen, as well as the steps you’ll need to take to pursue citizenship.
What Are the Benefits of Canadian Citizenship?
There are many privileges and rights that come with Canadian citizenship. As a Canadian citizen, you will enjoy the country’s excellent opportunities for work, healthcare, and education. In addition, your children will automatically qualify as Canadian residents upon birth.
You can also vote — or run for office — in municipal, provincial, and federal elections and work certain jobs restricted to citizens of Canada without needing a work permit.
Once granted Canadian citizenship, you do not necessarily need to give up citizenship in your home country. If your home county’s policy allows you, you may hold dual citizenship.
Finally, as a citizen, you will obtain a Canadian passport, which can permit you to access many other countries with no need for a visa.
Sounds Great! Are You Eligible?
You must meet a set of requirements in order to qualify for Canadian citizenship. You don’t need an expensive law firm to tell you if you are eligible; read through our comprehensive guide below:
- You are obligated to have permanent resident (landed immigrant) status. If you are not yet a Canadian permanent resident, explore your permanent resident visa options here.
- You must have lived and been physically present in Canada for a combined total of at least three years (1,095 days) out of the previous five years. You can’t meet this physical requirement if you have not been a permanent resident for at least two years. Refugees, protected persons, and temporary residents should count each day lived in Canada at such status as a half-day toward the residency total.
- You may not be currently in jail.
- You may not be on parole or serving a prison sentence in another country.
- If applicable, you must have filed income taxes.
- For the previous four years leading up to your application, you may not have been convicted of an offence.
- You may not be under a removal order.
- If between the ages of 18 and 54, you must demonstrate you have knowledge of Canada and the responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.
- If between the ages of 18 and 54, you must show adequate knowledge of French or English.
How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship? What Are the Steps?
If you have determined you meet the above criteria, you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. Follow these nine steps you’ll take on your path toward citizenship.
1. Calculate the Length of Your Time in Canada
You must have lived in Canada for a combined total of at least three years out of the previous five years in order to qualify for Canadian citizenship.
Make sure your calculation is correct by using an online physical presence calculator. Print your results and include them with your Canadian citizenship application. Ensure your calculator printout and application form have the same date.
If you cannot use the online calculator, you can instead fill out form CIT 0407.
2. Gather Your Canadian Citizenship Application Documents
You should submit the following documents in your application:
- Your physical presence calculation
- Colour photocopies of all pages of your passport or travel documents (valid or expired) during your five-year eligibility period. This includes biographical pages that show your name, photo, date and place of birth, passport number, and issue/expiration dates
- Photocopies of two items of personal identification, such as your driver’s license, health insurance card, or age of majority card
- Two identical citizenship photos. Make sure you don’t staple, glue, or attach your photos directly to your application. You may wish to print and bring the citizenship photo specifications to the photographer who takes your photos to make sure your photos are the correct size
- The receipt from the application fee of $630, which you must pay online (more information on fees below)
- Document checklist form CIT 0007
- If you are between 18 to 54 years old, you must submit photocopies of your proof of French or English language ability. The evidence you can submit for this requirement includes results of a third-party language exam, transcripts, or a diploma from a secondary or post-secondary education. You can also submit proof that you reached level four or above on the Canadian Language Benchmark
- If you are between 18 to 54 years old and are unable to submit the documents attesting to your French or English language capacity due to a medical condition, you can instead submit supporting evidence in the form of one of the following:
- If you are hearing impaired, an audiogram and attestation that a Canadian audiologist has certified
- Evidence from a Canadian medical practitioner showing you have a disability that is cognitive, psychiatric, or physiological
3. Fill Out the Appropriate Citizenship Form
Adults 18 and older must fill out the “Application for Canadian Citizenship: Adults” form and include it in their Canadian citizenship application materials. Children younger than 18 should fill out the “Application for Canadian Citizenship: Minors” form. Each minor seeking citizenship must have their own form. If a minor is unable to fill out their own form, an adult may do so for them.
When filling out your Canadian citizenship application forms, answer each question in full unless the form states otherwise. Questions on the forms include topics like:
- Whether you have any special needs that require accommodation
- All names you have used in the past
- Your current marital status
- Your address history
- And others
Ensure that the form you are using is dated October 2020 or later. The version date is on the bottom left corner of the forms.
4. Pay Your Fees
You must pay Canadian citizenship application fees online. Fees are $630 each for applicants 18 years and older, which includes a $530 processing fee and a $100 right of citizenship fee. Minors have a $100 processing fee.
Please note that even if your application is unsuccessful, you will not receive a refund for the processing fee. However, the $100 right of citizenship fee for applicants 18 and older is refundable if you are unable to attain citizenship.
You must make all payments in Canadian currency.
5. Send Off Your Application
After including all the needed materials for your Canadian citizenship application, send your application via regular mail to:
Case Processing Center
P.O. Box 7000
Sydney, NS
B1P 6v6
If your application fails to include the minimum requirements, is missing the appropriate fee payment, or is incomplete, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will return it with a letter explaining the next steps. You can minimize the chances of a returned application by using the document checklist (CIT 0007) before sending in your materials.
You will receive an acknowledgement of your application via mail or email. In certain instances, you may also receive a request for more information.
Families applying for citizenship for more than one family member, even if using different application forms, should send all applications together in one envelope. IRCC will process them together and attempt to schedule family member testing and ceremonies together.
6. Prepare for and Take Your Citizenship Test
Applicants between 18 and 54 must take a test as part of their Canadian citizenship application. This test will examine your knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.
The test covers topics such as the history of Canada, Canada’s regions, and Canadian symbols. Applicants must achieve 15 correct answers out of 20 questions in order to pass and may have three attempts at passing the test total.
You will have 30 minutes to complete the exam. If applicable, you will also answer questions regarding your knowledge of French or English.
At your test, you’ll need to bring your original application documents along with the passports and travel documents you used throughout your five-year period of eligibility.
Canadian Citizenship Test Practice
There are multiple online resources to practice for your Canadian citizenship test. This one in particular stands out from the rest as it comes with a wealth of additional resources such as citizenship guides, a challenge bank and study guides. There is even an option to pay $19.99 to unlock 400 real exam questions.
What Happens If You Fail the Citizenship Test?
You have three attempts to pass the citizenship test. If you don’t pass it but meet all other criteria, you will automatically be scheduled for a second test. The timeframe in between testing is anywhere from 4-8 weeks. If you fail the second, you will be required to appear at a hearing with a citizenship officer. The officer will assess that you have in fact met all the requirements during a face to face interview. Be prepared as she/he may:
- Decide to test your Canadian knowledge on the privileges and responsibilities of becoming Canadian.
- Decide to ask you questions about your intentions in Canada
- Decide to assess your English or French language skills
7. Processing Times
IRCC provides citizen applicants with processing time information so you can best assess where in the cycle your application is currently. To check your application status, visit the IRCC website.
8. Await the Decision
A Canadian citizenship official will make the final determination regarding your Canadian citizenship application. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a decision in writing. IRCC will notify successful applicants in writing and inform them of the time and location of their citizenship ceremony.
9. Take Your Oath
If you’ve made it this far in the Canadian citizenship application process, congratulations! Your final step is to take your citizenship oath.
IRCC will send adults and minors 14 years and older a Notice to Appear, which includes the place and time of the citizenship ceremony. You will appear before a citizenship judge or presiding official and take your oath.
Canadian Citizenship Ceremony
You can expect to be invited to the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony approximately 3 months after you have taken and passed your test. You will receive a notice anywhere from 1-2 weeks before it’s time to appear. You must provide an explanation if you cannot attend. If one is not given, it could result in your application being stopped altogether.
What to Bring to the Ceremony
You must bring the following items to the ceremony:
- All of the travel documents and passports both expired and current that you listed on the application form.
- All of your foreign, government issued IDs. If they are not in French or English, you are responsible for providing an affidavit from a translator.
- 2 pieces of personal identification
- One piece of that ID must have your photo on it such as a health card, drivers license, or permanent resident card.
- ROL (Record of Landing - IMM 1000) if you were granted permanent residency before June 28, 2002.
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM5292 or IMM5688), or permanent resident card, even if it is expired.
- A signed copy of the Permission Release and Consent form (this would have been included with the notice)
- Notice of Ceremony
- Optional: A holy book of your choosing
What Happens at the Ceremony?
There are 4 main occurrences at the Citizenship Ceremony. You will:
- Sing O’Canada, the Canadian National Anthem. For both French and English lyrics, plus a great read on the history of the song, be sure to read this article!
- Sign the Affirmation of Citizenship form or the Oath
- Be granted your Citizenship Certificate
- Take the Oath of Citizenship
In January of 2022 alone, Canada accepted 35,000 new immigrants into the country and hundreds of thousands more are expected to come; so you won’t be taking your oath alone. An official or citizenship judge will preside over the ceremony and she/he will lead the Oath. Expect to here the oath in both French and English. You will then repeat it aloud after the judge/official says it. It is mandatory to recite the oath in either English or French however it is highly recommended to say it in both languages. You have the choice to either affirm or swear the oath. Swearing is for those who want to reference their own religious beliefs and affirming is for those who prefer to leave religious contexts out.
Once you have taken the Oath of Citizenship, you are a Canadian Citizen. Welcome!
Your Citizenship Certificate will be given to you on the spot and it is now your proof. Please keep it safe.
Contact Information Changes
If you change your address, email address, or phone number, it’s important to inform IRCC. You can use the change of address tool on IRCC’s website to reflect any changes. If IRCC is unable to reach you, they may close your application.
Name Changes
You may have additional requirements if you have legally changed your name. Below, find the documents you’ll need to submit to IRCC following a name change.
If You Changed Your Name Legally in Canada
You must submit a copy of the change of name document that your Canadian province or territory issued at the time of the change. The document should include your previous name along with your amended name. You may submit:
- Adoption order
- Court order that specifies name alteration
- Legal change of name document
If You Changed Your Name Legally Outside of Canada and Live in Canada
You must provide:
- A foreign passport or other national documentation that reflects your amended name
- A foreign name change document that includes your previous and new names, like a marriage certificate (with an official translation, if applicable), and
- A Canadian document that includes your new name, like an age of majority card or a driver’s license
If You Changed Your Name Legally Outside of Canada and Live Outside of Canada
You must provide:
- A foreign passport or other national documentation that reflects your amended name
- A foreign name change document that includes your previous and new names, like a marriage certificate (with an official translation, if applicable), and
- A nationally issued photo identification document, issued in your residing country, showing your new name, like a state ID card or a foreign passport
Documents in Need of Translation
If you have to submit any documents that are not in French or English, you’ll need to take a few extra steps, unless your document checklist says otherwise. Documents in need of translation require:
- Translation in French or English, and
- An affidavit from the translator (if they are not certified), and
- A certified copy of the original
Please note that applicants cannot complete translations themselves, nor can family members, common-law partners, or conjugal partners.
Now That Your Canadian Citizenship Application is Final
There’s lots to do, no question. Maybe you’re looking to purchase a home, or begin the journey towards financial security. Many recently confirmed citizens are in the market for new homes to purchase in Canada. You’ll want to make sure your house is fully protected. If you aren’t able to make the typically mandatory 20% down payment, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation states that you must obtain mortgage insurance. Find out more about mortgage insurance here. Also, once you’ve completed your Canadian citizenship application, you’ll want to ensure that you and your family have the best insurance policy to maintain health and wellness as you enjoy life as Canadian citizens.
Insurdinary is here to help you compare rates, save time, and find the best prices. Get your quote here. You can also contact us for more information.
