With its awesome health care plan and numerous job opportunities, it’s no surprise that Canada is a desirable citizenship choice. That being said, there are processes to go through to make this happen. This article covers the key application requirements to make your dreams a reality.
What a citizenship by naturalization is
Citizenship by naturalization is essentially the act of granting the status of a national of a given state to an alien. This can easily be achieved through voluntary application. In this case, you become a canuck once you have met all the conditions and provided all relevant documents.
What is it used for?
By becoming a Canadian citizen through naturalization, you get access to the privileges of regular canadians. For instance, you receive access to better job opportunities in sensitive positions with the added benefit of being able to vote. The citizenship grants you certainty in the country and interestingly, it is possible to transfer the rights to your children even if they are born outside Canada.
Process for obtaining it in Canada
Here, we take a look at the procedure for application;
Requirements that need to be met
The most essential requirement here is proof. You need to show proof that you can read or write in one of Canada’s official languages i.e. English or French. Additionally, there should be proof that you are a permanent resident and have lived as such in Canada for at least 1,095 days out of the 5 years before you apply. You can use an online calculator to help you with this task.
Furthermore, there should be proof that you have filed your taxes for at least 3 out of the last 5 years with any pending income tax paid.
Who can apply?
The application process is open to;
- Permanent residents
- People who have lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years
- Have filled out taxes
- Have proved proficiency in one of the two official languages
You can check if you’re eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship here.
Documentation you need to submit
The relevant documents include the following;
- Color photocopies of your passports or travel documents during your five year eligibility period. This should come with a biographical page which includes name, photo, date, place of birth, issue date,passport/travel document number and expiration date.
If these documents or information in them are not available, you can turn in a valid explanation on the matter.
- Photocopies of two pieces of personal identification. In this case, you can use a copy of the biographical page of your passport or your permanent resident card.
- Health insurance card
- Driver’s license
- Age of majority card
- Senior citizen identification card
- Foreign identity documents e.g. passport
There’s also a document checklist available to help you with this process. That way, you can make sure that you’re submitting all the required documents.
Where and how to do the procedure?
In this case, you can do the procedure at the Immigration Office or online. To get started, you need to get the application package that fits your category e.g adult, parent or guardian applying for a minor, adult who served with the Canadian Armed Forces etc. You can find a list of the offices available inside and outside of Canada here.
After selection, pay for application fees which may include processing fee and right of citizenship fee. If you are paying your fees online, attach your fee receipt to your application. You can check the cost of the procedure further below in this article.
Finally, submit your completed application form with your signature and the date it was signed. You can send the application form and relevant documents by mail or courier as soon as possible after completing the form.
Additionally, it is possible to apply for Canadian citizenship online following certain criteria but it should only be done if you haven’t applied on paper.
You can check the following tutorial video that explains how to complete your application correctly and avoid common errors that can cause delays:
Cost of procedure and processing time
- Adults 18 and over – Processing fee is $530 while citizenship fee is $100
- Stateless adults 18 and over born to Canadian parents – Citizenship fee is $100
- Minors – Processing fee is $100
The processing time is 12 months from the day you submit your application.
Validity
Once you become a Canadian citizen, you are no longer bound by immigration consequences. This means your citizenship cannot be revoked even if you spend time outside the country.
Conclusion
Becoming a Canadian citizen is a step in the right direction and with the information we have provided, you are well on your way to becoming a canuck.
