Lori Meadows
International students who wish to become Canadian citizens must first become permanent residents. This can be achieved through various avenues, such as running a business, marriage to a Canadian citizen, having Canadian descent in your nuclear family, or being a high-skilled worker. Once permanent residency is obtained, individuals must reside in Canada for a minimum of 1,095 days in the five years preceding their application. After meeting the residency requirement, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French and may be subject to a citizenship test and interview.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Step | Become a permanent resident. |
| Permanent Resident Requirements | There are many ways to become a permanent resident, including running a business, marrying a Canadian citizen, having Canadian descent in your nuclear family, or being a high-skilled worker. |
| Minimum Residency Requirement | Permanent residents must have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) out of the past five years before applying for citizenship. |
| Language Proficiency | Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French through tests like CELPIP, IELTS, TEF, or TEFAQ. Applicants below 18 or above 54 are exempt from this requirement. |
| Citizenship Application Fee | CAD 630 |
| Citizenship Test | Applicants must pass a written test assessing their knowledge of Canadian history, geography, culture, and government. |
| Interview | Applicants may be interviewed by an immigration officer to assess their language proficiency and other criteria. |
| Citizenship Fee | $119.75 for adult applicants |
| Dual Citizenship | Canada allows dual citizenship, so you can hold on to your home country's passport. However, you lose the right to vote in federal elections if you live outside Canada for over five years. |
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What You'll Learn
Permanent residency requirements
To become a Canadian citizen, an individual must first become a permanent resident. There are several avenues available to becoming a permanent resident. For example, you can apply through a specific province, go down a special entrepreneur route, get help from a family member or spouse who lives in Canada, or go through Quebec, which has special immigration requirements. Most provinces throughout Canada have their own immigration programs.
To be eligible for permanent residency, you could be running a business, get married to a Canadian citizen, have Canadian descent in your nuclear family, or be a high-skilled worker. Getting permanent residency is perhaps the toughest part of the entire process of becoming a Canadian citizen.
Once you have attained permanent resident status, you must have resided in Canada for a minimum of 1,095 days in the five years preceding your application before you are eligible to apply for citizenship. This presence does not have to be continuous, and there are no minimum days to fulfil in one calendar year. Your stay in Canada on a temporary basis, such as a student, also counts towards this requirement. However, each day spent in Canada on a temporary basis counts as half a day, and only up to 365 days can be counted towards the 1,095-day requirement.
In special circumstances, citizenship may be granted to those who do not meet the minimum residence requirement. Children under the age of 18 need not meet this requirement.
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Minimum residency days
To become a Canadian citizen, applicants must have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) during the five years before submitting their application. This is the minimum residency requirement, and it applies to permanent residents (PR) only—temporary residents are calculated differently. Each day spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person within the last five years counts as half a day, and a maximum of 365 days can be counted towards the 1,095-day requirement.
It is recommended to apply with more than 1,095 days of living in Canada in case there is an issue with the calculation. This is especially important as there are situations that can prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen, and your application may be returned if it is missing information.
Children under the age of 18 need not meet the minimum residency requirement, but they must have permanent resident status. Applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 must take a citizenship test to demonstrate their knowledge of their rights and responsibilities as a Canadian. They must also demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in either English or French.
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Language proficiency
To become a Canadian citizen, applicants must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in either English or French. This requirement applies to individuals between the ages of 18 and 54. Applicants outside of this age range are not required to demonstrate language proficiency.
The base qualifier for language proficiency is defined as a Level 4 grade on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or an equivalent standard determined by the IRCC. A Level 4 grade signifies that an applicant can understand conversations on familiar, everyday topics and demonstrate a basic grasp of grammar, including the proper use of verbs and tenses.
There are several ways to fulfil the language requirements for Canadian citizenship. One way is to provide official documentation of graduation from a secondary or post-secondary program conducted in English or French. The school can be located either in or outside of Canada. If the documentation is not in English or French, it must be translated into one of these languages by a translator certified by a Canadian professional association. The translation must clearly indicate that the program of study was conducted in English or French.
Another option is to provide test results from a recognised language test that is equivalent to a CLB Level 4 or higher. The IRCC accepts results from the following English language tests:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) – CELPIP General, CELPIP General-LS
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – General training
For French, the IRCC accepts results from the following tests:
- Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF)
- Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEFAQ)
- TEF pour la naturalisation: a 2 skills (listening and speaking) version
Applicants can also use test results previously submitted for Quebec immigration as proof of language proficiency.
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Citizenship test
To become a Canadian citizen, most applicants must take the citizenship test as part of the application process. The test is designed to assess your knowledge of your rights and responsibilities as a Canadian citizen. It also evaluates your proficiency in English or French, as you must demonstrate a minimum level in one of these languages.
The citizenship test typically involves answering a series of questions, and you must achieve a passing score to proceed with your application. The specific format and content of the test can vary, but it generally covers key aspects of Canadian citizenship. You can prepare for the test by using resources such as the book "Discover Canada," which is available at the Toronto Public Library, online, or as an audiobook. The library also offers practice tests and interactive websites to help you study and practice for the official exam.
It's important to note that there may be exemptions from taking the test. If you have a valid reason that prevents you from taking the test, you can request a waiver or exemption. For example, if you have a mental disability that makes it difficult to understand the oath of citizenship, you may be exempt. However, in most cases, applicants must demonstrate their eligibility through the test.
Once you receive an invitation to take the test, you will have 30 calendar days to complete it. The test can be taken online, ensuring you have a valid photo ID, or in person if you have a poor internet connection. After submitting the test, you will receive your unofficial score immediately, while the official score may take some time for processing. If you achieve a passing score of at least 75% (15 out of 20 questions correct), you will move forward in the citizenship application process.
If you don't pass the test, there is an option to retake it. However, if you miss the rescheduled test without a valid reason or fail to contact the relevant office within 30 days of the test date, your application may be halted. In such cases, you would need to reapply and pay the fees again to continue pursuing Canadian citizenship.
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Application process
To become a Canadian citizen, an international student must first become a permanent resident. There are several avenues to becoming a permanent resident, such as applying through a specific province, becoming an entrepreneur, or getting help from a family member or spouse who lives in Canada. Getting permanent residency is perhaps the toughest part of the entire process of becoming a Canadian citizen.
Once permanent residency is obtained, the next step is to apply for citizenship. The application process is as follows:
- Check your eligibility: Before applying for citizenship, review the documents you received when you became a permanent resident to ensure you meet the requirements. Individuals must have resided in Canada for a minimum of 1,095 days in the five years preceding their application. They must also have filed their taxes in Canada for at least three years during this period.
- Submit your application: Fill out the application form on a computer and print it. Submit the application along with all supporting documents and the required fee. The application fee is CAD $630 as of 2023.
- Wait for assessment: It can take up to 12 months for your application to be assessed and for you to receive a decision on your eligibility.
- Interview: If your application is deemed eligible, you will be invited for an interview with an immigration officer. The interview assesses your language proficiency and other criteria for becoming a Canadian citizen.
- Citizenship test: If you successfully pass the citizenship application process, you will be required to take a citizenship test. This is a written examination that assesses your knowledge of Canadian history, geography, culture, and government.
- Oath of citizenship: After passing the test, you will be required to take an oath of citizenship. In certain cases, such as a mental disability, you can request a waiver and not take the oath.
- Ceremony: The final step in the process is a citizenship ceremony, after which you officially become a Canadian citizen and are granted a Canadian citizenship certificate.
It is important to note that the process may vary depending on individual circumstances, and there may be additional requirements or steps not mentioned here. The Canadian government provides a tool to help determine eligibility and understand the specific steps required.
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Frequently asked questions
First, you need to become a permanent resident. You can do this by applying through a specific province, going down an entrepreneur route, getting help from a family member or spouse who lives in Canada, or applying through Quebec, which has special immigration requirements. Once you have permanent resident status, you must have resided in Canada for a minimum of 1,095 days in the five years preceding your application before you are eligible to apply for citizenship.
Canadian passport holders can travel visa-free to about 185 countries. Canada also allows dual citizenship, so you can hold on to the passport of your home country and freely travel, live, and work in Canada at the same time.
Applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 must take a citizenship test to demonstrate their knowledge of their rights and responsibilities as a Canadian. They must also demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in English or French. Applicants must also pay a fee of CAD $630 when submitting their application.
You need to fill out the application form on a computer and print it out. Then, submit your application along with all supporting documents. If you are deemed eligible for citizenship, you will be invited to interview with an immigration officer.
Yes, you can become a permanent resident. This will entitle you to healthcare coverage and the ability to work, study, and travel anywhere in Canada. However, permanent residents cannot vote, run for office, or hold some jobs with top-security clearance.
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