If you are considering applying for Canadian citizenship, it is safe to assume you are aware of, or have explored, some of the benefits and privileges that will become available to you. Some of these benefits are:
- Better protection of your status in Canada. You will no longer be susceptible to things like deportation or a revoking of your citizenship, unless you are found to be in breach of certain circumstances prescribed by the United Nations and Canada.
- You will be able to exercise suffrage (i.e. vote) in Canadian political affairs
- Any children you may happen to have outside Canada after you have become a Canadian citizen will still be considered Canadian citizens at birth
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Citizenship Requirements for Adults
To qualify for applying for a Canadian citizenship you must:
- Be 18 years of age or over;
- Be a permanent resident with no unfulfilled conditions relating to your status as a permanent resident;
- Have been physically present in Canada for at least 1095 days in the five years immediately before the date of your application;
- Have met your tax filing obligations under the Income Tax Act for three taxation years that fall fully or partially within the five years immediately before the date of your application;
- Have an adequate knowledge of one of Canada’s official languages (if between 18-54 years old at the time of the application);
- Demonstrate, in one of Canada’s official languages, that you have an adequate knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship (if between 18-54 years old at the time of the application);
Furthermore, you must not be:
- Prohibited under section 22 of the Citizenship Act; and
- Under a removal order and are not the subject of a declaration by the Governor in Council made pursuant to section 20 of the Citizenship Act.
Requirements for Applying for your Child’s Citizenship
Children who are permanent residents can become Canadian citizens by:
- Applying at the same time as their parents, or after at least one of their parents has become a Canadian citizen, or
- Applying once they meet the residence requirements, regardless of the intentions or citizenships of their parents.
The requirement that you apply at the same time as your child, or have already become a citizen has been repealed. As of June 19, 2017, minors can qualify on their own without the need to have a Canadian parent.
To qualify for citizenship as a minor, your child must:
- Be under the age of 18 at the time of the application;
- Be a permanent resident with no unfulfilled conditions relating to their status as a permanent resident;
- Have been physically present in Canada for at least 1095 days in the five years immediately before the date of your application;
Furthermore, they must not be:
- Prohibited under section 22 of the Citizenship Act; and
- Under a removal order and are not the subject of a declaration by the Governor in Council made pursuant to section 20 of the Citizenship Act.
Citizenship Language Requirements
Canada has two official languages—English and French. If you are between 18-54 years old at the time of the application, to become a citizen you must show that you have adequate knowledge of one of these languages. In general, this means you can:
- Take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics;
- Understand simple instructions, questions and directions;
- Use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses; and
- Show that you know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself.
- Proof of achievement for the Canadian Level Benchmark 4 or higher.
Impact of a Criminal Record on your Citizenship
If you have a criminal record, are facing criminal charges or have been ordered to leave Canada, you may not be eligible for citizenship. If you are on probation or are charged with a crime and waiting for a trial, Gerami Law PC would be glad to meet with you to discuss your case, and explain your rights and options.
You cannot become a citizen if you:
- Have been convicted of an indictable (criminal) offence or an offence under the Citizenship Act in the three years before you apply,
- Are currently charged with an offence under the Citizenship Act,
- Are in prison, on parole or on probation,
- Are serving a sentence outside Canada,
- Are under a removal order (Canadian officials have ordered you to leave Canada),
- Are being investigated for, are charged with, or have been convicted of a war crime or a crime against humanity, or
- Have had your Canadian citizenship taken away because of fraud in the past ten years
- Have been convicted of terrorism, high treason, treason, or spying offences while you were a permanent resident.
Time in prison or on parole does not count as time you have lived in Canada. Time on probation also does not count if you were convicted of a crime.