In 2022, 375,413 people were naturalized in Canada, meaning they gained citizenship of Canada. Becoming a citizen of Canada means you are at the last stage of the immigration process.
Once you gain Canadian citizenship, you have finally, fully, immigrated to Canada and there’s nothing else to do. Hence, your aim of living in Canada as a Canadian citizen has come true.
Do you also want Canadian citizenship? Then you must first understand the various criterias on which an immigrant’s eligibility is checked. In this blog, we have mentioned Canadian citizenship eligibility in detail. Let’s begin now!
Canadian Citizenship Eligibility
The Canadian citizenship eligibility criteria require you to:
- be a permanent resident
- pass the citizenship test
- have language proficiency skills
- live in Canada for about 3 out of 5 years
- file taxes (if required)
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Eligibility Requirements
1. be a permanent resident
Age plays no role here, so no matter your age, when you are applying for citizenship of Canada, you must be a permanent resident already.
Having permanent resident status is one of the most important requirements when you are applying for Canadian citizenship.
At the time of applying for Canadian citizenship, it is not so important to have a valid PR card. You can also apply for citizenship with an expired PR card.
2. Pass the citizenship test
The day you sign your citizenship application, if your age is between 18 to 54, you need to take the Canada citizenship test.
The test is in English or French; 30 minutes long; could have multiple choice as well as true or false questions; have 20 questions out of which there must be at least 15 correct answers; Commonly it is written but it could also be oral; and based on the official citizenship guide, that is Discover Canada.
In the test, you will find questions about the rights and responsibilities of the people of Canada, and about Canada’s:
- Government
- Economy
- Laws
- History
- Symbols
- Geography
3. Have language proficiency skills
To become a citizen, you need a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 or higher.
On the day you sign your citizenship application, if you are aged between 18 to 54 years, you must prove that you can adequately speak as well as listen to either English or French. English and French are Canada’s official languages.
Your language skills will be measured on the basis of how you interact with a citizenship official, and the language proof that you send with your application will also be reviewed. If it’s necessary, your language level might be assessed during a hearing with a citizenship official.
4. Live in Canada for about 3 out of 5 years
Before the date you sign your citizenship application, you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days, that is 3 years, out of the last 5 years.
5. File Taxes (If Required)
You may be required to file taxes for 3 years out of 5 years before the date you apply for citizenship.
If you clear these eligibility requirements and apply for the citizenship process properly, you may get Canadian citizenship!
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How can I become a citizen of Canada?
If you fulfill certain eligibility requirements, you can become a citizen of Canada. For instance, you need to have permanent residency in Canada, have been living in the country for the past 3 out of 5 years, have good language proficiency skills, and file your taxes, if required.
Is it hard to get citizenship in Canada?
No, it’s not that hard to get Canadian citizenship if you are eligible for it.
Can I get Canadian citizenship from India?
To get Canadian citizenship from India, you must first become a PR, pass the citizenship test, have the required language proficiency skills, have been in Canada for the past 1,095 days out of 5 years, and must have filed taxes (if necessary). That way you will be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
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