Becoming a citizen in the country of maple leaves is the desire of many immigrants as well as permanent residents. So How long does it take to get Canadian citizenship and what are the conditions and the Canadian citizenship process? All the above questions will be answered by VNIS Investment through the following article:
How long does it take to get Canadian citizenship?
How long does it take to get Canadian citizenship? The most correct answer is that you need to be in Canada for at least 1,095 days, or 3 years, in the 5 years before you apply for citizenship.
However, you should note that when considering Canadian citizenship, not all days are counted similarly.
Specifically, the days you are in Canada as a permanent resident will be counted as 1 day. To live in Canada as a permanent resident, you need to spend 2 years in the country to meet the number of days of presence requirement.
Otherwise, each day you live in Canada as a temporary resident will only count as half a day. Thus, you need to live in Canada as a temporary resident for at least 2 years to ensure that the time of living is counted as 1 year.
Each customer case will have different situations when living in Canada, but the most important thing you need to remember is that the time of presence as a permanent resident will be counted as 1 day, and as a temporary resident will only be counted as half a day.
IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has recommended on its website that you should stay in the country for more than 1,095 days before applying for naturalization so it can be assured that you are indeed eligible.
Canadian citizenship conditions
The ultimate destination for most permanent residents is to become a Canadian citizen. In addition to noting about the time living in Canada, you need to note about the conditions for naturalization in this country as follows:
Age
To become a Canadian citizen, the first condition is that you must be 18 years of age or older. Children under the age of 18 can still apply for Canadian citizenship if they meet the following criteria:
- Have a parent, guardian or sponsor
- Parents, adoptees already have Canadian citizenship or are in the process of applying for naturalization.
- Be a permanent resident in Canada
Permanent resident status
The next issue to pay attention to when applying for naturalization is about permanent resident status. When applying for naturalization, you need to ensure that you are a permanent resident of Canada and have lived here for a while.
Some cases of expired permanent resident cards are still eligible to apply for naturalization because they still have legal permanent resident status, have lived and worked in Canada before.
Time living in Canada
As VNIS Investment shared above, to naturalize you need to have lived in Canada for a total of 1,095 days within 5 years.
The time of residence requirement in Canada does not apply to children under the age of 18 because the child’s parents or guardians have applied on their behalf.
Some special cases can still apply for Canadian citizenship even though they do not live here for a specified number of days such as:
- Applicants are employees of the Government of Canada.
- Be a family member of a Canadian public official.
Language
Good language ability is a very strong advantage for easier naturalization. For the 2 main languages in Canada such as English and French, you need to be proficient at a basic level such as:
- Good communication on common everyday topics
- Understand general instructions and directions
- Use basic grammar
- Have a degree, certificate in English or French
- Pass the face-to-face interview with a foreign language proficiency testing officer
Personal income tax
If you are employed, you will need to pay your personal income tax in full, for at least 3 of the 5 years prior to the date of your naturalization application.
Understanding Canada
The last naturalization condition that you need to keep in mind is the matter of knowing about Canada. You need to have a certain understanding of the culture, people, history of formation, administrative organizations, geography… of Canada. You will also need to learn more about the rights, obligations and responsibilities of Canadian citizens.
During the naturalization process, you have to pass a citizenship test, so learn these issues carefully to make naturalization easier:
The following applicants are prohibited from naturalization in Canada
- The applicant is in prison, on bail or on probation in Canada, or serving a sentence in another country.
- Have been convicted and prosecuted in Canada or committed a crime outside of Canada within the 4 years prior to applying for naturalization.
- Charged, on trial, on appeal in Canada or outside Canada.
- Had Canadian citizenship but was revoked for fraud in the past 10 years.
- Has applied for naturalization but was denied for fraud within the past 5 years
- Subjects are members of armed organizations or groups participating in armed conflict with Canada.
- Time served, on probation, or on probation will not count toward time spent living in Canada.
Thus, it is important to pay attention to the criminal record must be “clean”, when living in Canada as a permanent resident, you do not commit any crimes to be able to successfully apply for citizenship.
Canadian Citizenship Process
Basically, the Canadian naturalization process includes the following steps:
- Step 1: Fill in the available application forms
- Step 2: Pay the application fee: 630 CAD for people over 18 years old and 100 CAD for people under 18 years old.
- Step 3: Submit application for naturalization
- Step 4: Take tests and interviews. The test is in English or French, has 20 questions (correct answer on 15 is the passing score), completed in 30 minutes.
Finally, if you qualify, you will go through a naturalization ceremony and take the oath to become a full-fledged Canadian citizen. Refer to this page for more information on the Citizenship Ceremony.
Oath of Citizenship
I swear (or affirm)
That I will be faithful
And bear true allegiance
To His Majesty
King Charles the Third
King of Canada
His Heirs and Successors
And that I will faithfully observe
The laws of Canada
Including the Constitution
Which recognizes and affirms
The Aboriginal and treaty rights of
First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
And fulfil my duties
As a Canadian citizen.(So help me God.)
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