Here is how to determine if you can apply for Canadian citizenship:
Some basic conditions to meet to be eligible for Canadian Citizenship are:
You have to :
- Be a permanent resident of Canada
- Meet physical presence requirements (1095 days)
- Prove your language requirements
- File your tax every year (if required)
- Pass the citizenship test
Permanent resident status
Irrespective of your age, you must hold Canadian permanent resident status if you wish to apply for Canadian citizenship. This means you are not under review for immigration reasons or fraud, are not subject to a removal order, and have unfulfilled conditions relating to your permanent resident status (e.g., you have not completed a medical screening). You do not need to have a valid PR card to apply for citizenship and are able to apply with an expired PR card.
Canada’s physical presence requirements
You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) during the five years before the date you sign your Canadian citizenship application
Prove your language skills
Those aged 18 to 54 must also show they can speak and listen to English or French at a specific level. This entails demonstrating you meet the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level of 4 or higher. IRCC assesses your language proficiency in a number of ways, such as:
- Reviewing the evidence you submit with your application
- Noting how well you communicate with citizenship officials during the application process
- Assessing your language skills during a hearing with a citizenship official, if necessary
File your taxes, if necessary
Filing taxes in Canada for at least three years within the five years before you apply for citizenship may be a requirement.
Even if you lived in Canada for only part of a year, you may be required to file an income tax return if you:
- Have to pay tax for the year
- Want to claim a refund
- Want to get benefit and credit payments
Pass a Canadian citizenship test
Those aged 18 to 54 on the day they signed their Canadian citizenship application must take a citizenship test on the rights and responsibilities of Canadians, Canada’s history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols. The test is 30 minutes long in English or French, contains multiple-choice and true or false questions, and has a pass mark of 15 out of 20.
Apply for Canadian citizenship today
Becoming a Canadian citizen is very rewarding and often marks the symbolic end of the “newcomer” phase of one’s Canadian immigration journey. Once you become a Canadian citizen, you can enjoy a variety of perks and continue to make meaningful contributions to Canada’s economy and society.
Get in touch with us for your eligibility assessment !!