Douglas Olsen
International students in Canada who wish to obtain Canadian citizenship must meet several requirements. Firstly, they must obtain permanent residence (PR) status, which can be achieved by finding employment after graduation and applying for a work visa. After maintaining PR status for at least three years and meeting other criteria, such as filing taxes and being physically present in Canada, international students can apply for citizenship. It is important to note that permanent residents have access to many of the same resources as citizens, including publicly funded schools and healthcare, and their civil liberties are protected under Canadian law. Becoming a naturalized Canadian citizen brings additional benefits, including the right to vote and hold a Canadian passport, which offers visa-free travel to numerous countries worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| International student citizenship path | Find employment within 3 months of graduation, get a work visa, apply for permanent residence, live in Canada for 3 years, then apply for citizenship |
| Permanent residence requirements | Physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) during the 5 years before the date you sign your application |
| Permanent residence benefits | Access to publicly funded schools and healthcare, can live and work anywhere in Canada, civil liberties protected under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms |
| Citizenship benefits | Eligibility for more employment opportunities, ability to run for political positions or vote, worldwide travel with a Canadian passport, no need for renewal of immigration documents, ability to travel to 180 countries without a visa |
| Application process | Provide proof of language proficiency (unless under 18 or over 54), take the oath of citizenship (unless waived due to mental disability), receive a Canadian citizenship certificate |
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What You'll Learn
Get a work visa and permanent residence
To get a work visa as an international student in Canada, you must first apply for and obtain a study permit before arriving in the country. You must always be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) and show progress toward completing your study program. Additionally, you need to provide proof of your current immigration status and may be required to submit your biometrics, including fingerprints and photographs. Your study permit will indicate whether you are eligible to work during your studies. If you intend to work off-campus, you can apply for a co-op or intern work permit, allowing you to work up to 24 hours per week while your classes are in session.
After graduating, you may be eligible to work or live in Canada, but this depends on specific criteria.
To obtain permanent residence in Canada, you must have lived in the country for at least 1,095 days (3 years) during the 5 years before submitting your application. This period can include time spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person. You should review the documents received when you became a permanent resident to ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements for citizenship.
It is important to note that having a Canadian spouse does not automatically grant citizenship. However, as the spouse of a Canadian citizen, you can meet the same requirements as any other applicant to become a permanent resident and eventually gain citizenship.
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File taxes and be physically present in Canada
To become a Canadian citizen, you must have permanent resident (PR) status in Canada. You don't need a valid PR card to apply for citizenship—you can apply with an expired PR card.
To apply for citizenship, you must have been physically in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) during the 5 years before the date you sign your application. You may be able to include some of the time you spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person. Each day spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person within the last 5 years counts as one half day when you calculate your physical presence. You can use a maximum of 365 days as a temporary resident or protected person toward your time spent in Canada.
You may also need to file taxes in Canada for at least 3 years during the 5 years before the date you apply.
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Benefits of citizenship vs. permanent residence
International students can become permanent residents of Canada and then apply for citizenship after meeting residency, tax, and other eligibility requirements. Here are the benefits of citizenship compared to permanent residence:
Benefits of Canadian Citizenship
Canadian citizens have full legal status under Canadian law, granting them all the rights, freedoms, and responsibilities outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. They cannot lose their status except under exceptional circumstances and have an additional layer of security. Citizens can vote, obtain a Canadian passport, and participate fully in Canada's political system. They can also serve on Canadian juries and hold government jobs requiring high-level security clearance. Citizenship also allows individuals to sponsor family members to immigrate to Canada, with broader options for sponsoring parents and grandparents through specific programs.
Benefits of Permanent Residence
Permanent residents are granted the right to live and work in Canada indefinitely and enjoy many benefits, including access to healthcare and social services. They are protected under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. They can also sponsor family members to immigrate, although there may be more restrictions in eligibility and program availability. Permanent residents can also apply for citizenship once they have met certain residency requirements.
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Language proficiency tests
There are three authorised test providers in English:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): This is an internationally available English proficiency test with two categories—General Training and Academic. For Canadian immigration, you should opt for the General Training test. The IELTS results provide a score for each language ability and an overall band score that averages your results in each ability.
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): CELPIP was designed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) specifically for Canadian English, which contains elements of British and American English, along with Canadian accents. There are two types of tests—the General Test and the General LS Test. For immigration, you must take the General Test.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): The PTE, like the other tests, evaluates your proficiency in the four key areas of language ability: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Additionally, CCI Paris Ile-de-France administers the TEF Canada language test for immigration to Canada, evaluating French language proficiency.
It is important to note that your language test results must be valid when you apply for permanent residence. If your results expire before you apply, your application will be refused.
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Citizenship application process
International students can obtain Canadian citizenship by meeting the criteria for various age groups. For those aged 18-54, you must be a permanent resident, have filed taxes for three of the last five years, and have been physically present in Canada for three of the last five years.
The citizenship application process involves several steps and requirements. Firstly, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for applying for citizenship. This includes being aged 18 or over and having permanent resident (PR) status in Canada. You can apply with an expired PR card.
Secondly, calculate your physical presence in Canada. To be eligible for citizenship, you must have been physically present in the country for at least 1,095 days (3 years) during the 5 years before submitting your application. This calculation can include time spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person and time spent outside Canada as a Crown servant or family member of a Crown servant. It is recommended to apply with more than 1,095 days of living in Canada to allow for any issues with the calculation.
Thirdly, gather the required documentation. This includes proof of language proficiency, such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) results or Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) results. Applicants under the age of 18 or over the age of 54 are exempt from demonstrating language proficiency. You should also review the documents received when you became a permanent resident to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.
Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If your application is approved, you will be invited to take the oath of citizenship. This oath can be adapted for individuals with mental disabilities who may not understand it; accommodations such as sign language interpretation are available upon request. After taking the oath, you will be granted a Canadian citizenship certificate, which serves as proof of citizenship when applying for a Canadian passport.
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Frequently asked questions
To get Canadian citizenship, international students must meet the criteria for their age group. For those aged 18-54, this means having permanent residence status, filing taxes for three out of the last five years (if applicable), and being physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) out of the last five.
After graduating from a Canadian university, international students have three months to find employment and obtain a work visa. After gaining work experience, they can apply for permanent residence status in Canada. Alternatively, they can return to their home country, work for a minimum of two years in their field of study, and then apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Canadian citizens have the right to vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections, can run for political office, and are eligible for more employment opportunities within Canada. They can also travel with a Canadian passport, which allows visa-free access to 180 countries, including Australia, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, China, and the European Union.
Applicants aged 18-54 must demonstrate language proficiency in English or French. This can be done through tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test d'Evaluation de Français (TEF). Applicants outside of this age range are not required to demonstrate language proficiency.
