Steps to Becoming a Canadian Citizen

As a newcomer to Canada, your main interests are for sure establishing your residence, completing official papers, finding a proper house, and getting a decent job. However, if you have long term plans to stay in Canada, then one of the main points to consider is to have a clear overview on how to become a Canadian citizen. This article will aid you to understand the whole process of becoming a Canadian citizen, from fulfilling the requirements, to completing the application until attending the citizenship ceremony.  

Who can apply?

You should start the overall process of becoming a Canadian citizen by understanding and having a clear overview on the requirements for applying. The conditions are very clear and to be eligible for applying to become a Canadian citizen, you must:

• have permanent resident status

• live in Canada as a permanent resident for at least 1,095 days (3 years) during the last 5 years

• file income taxes

• pass a citizenship test

• prove your English or French language skills

These requirements apply for applicants who are above 18 years old. For minors who are below 18 years old, the following requirements shall be satisfied. A spouse of a Canadian citizen doesn’t become a citizen him/herself automatically. However, he/she needs to satisfy the same requirements listed above. On the other hand, the following  are some situations which can prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen. 

In terms of language requirements, you need to meet the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 or higher. 

A major requirement in applying for a citizenship is to take the citizenship exam if you are between 18 and 54 years of age. The test will assess your knowledge about the rights and responsibilities of Canadians along with general information about Canada. More information on the citizenship test is found here.

Below is a step-by-step guide on becoming a Canadian citizen.

Fulfill the requirements

The first step in applying for a Canadian citizenship is to fulfill the requirements listed above regarding residence in Canada, language, taxes and knowledge. You will be asked to show a proof of satisfying each of the requirements. 

Obtain the right citizenship application form

Depending on your age, you need to obtain and complete the citizenship application. If you are older than 18 years of age, then you shall complete the “Application for Canadian Citizenship – Adults” form, along with completing the online “Physical Presence Calculator”. For minors, the  “Application for Canadian Citizenship – Minors “ should be completed. Separate forms are needed for each child. Parents can apply on behalf of their children as soon as the child obtains a permanent residency.

Complete the citizenship application form

You shall complete the right application form for your case, along with paying the required fees, providing the required photographs, and attaching photocopies of the documents listed in the document checklist. At the time of your test or interview, you will be asked to show original document versions. Some applicants can complete the application form and apply online; however, a paper-based application is also valid. After completion of the application and paying the processing and the right of citizenship fees, you need to sign the application form and mail it with all the required documents to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The address for the regular and the courier mails are listed in this page. If you are submitting more than one application for your family, then you can collect all the applications and send them in the same envelope to be processed together. 

Take the citizenship test or interview 

If all the requirements for citizenship are met, and you are between the ages of 18 and 54, you will be scheduled for a citizenship test or may be invited for a possible interview to ensure you have a basic understanding of Canada and one of its official languages. IRCC will let you know about the date and time of your test. As part of your test or interview, you need to submit original documents that you photocopied and submitted with your application, along with all passports and travel documents.

Take the oath of citizenship

If all the requirements of becoming a citizen are met and you have passed the citizenship test, you will receive a notice informing where and when your citizenship ceremony will take place. You will take the oath of citizen at the ceremony and receive your certificate of citizenship. At this stage, you will then be able to enjoy all the rights and privileges of being a Canadian citizen.

For more information on the application and the process, contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).