Acquiring Canadian citizenship after gaining permanent residence is part of the process. It simply implies that becoming a permanent resident before applying for citizenship in Canada is mandatory. This is because holding PR means that the individual isn’t obligated for fraud purposes. They are not even subject to removal orders for the same reason. Moreover, the individual is not liable for any remaining obligations under the permanent resident status.
To gain eligibility to apply for Canadian citizenship, they must fulfill the following conditions:
- Fulfill Canada’s physical presence requirements.
- Filing taxes, if required.
- Those between the age group of 18 and 54 must clear the Canadian citizenship exam.
- Language skills proficiency for those between 18 and 54 years.
Acquiring Canadian citizenship by fulfilling essential physical presence criterion
The physical presence criterion in Canada implies that the interested candidate has a record of living in the country for a minimum of three years out of the previous five years. This is prior to applying for citizenship. Precisely, the candidate must have a record of residing in Canada for complete 1,095 days.
If, supposedly, the individual has resided in Canada under the status of a protected person or temporary residence, they might count this time as part of the physical presence. Furthermore, Canada permits the individual to count his days spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected individual. Each day in the previous five years will count toward a half day in Canada. The maximum limit is 365 days.
IRCC also suggests that individuals apply with more than 1,095 days if they have an issue in the calculation.
Filing taxes
Concerned people might have to proceed with the filing of taxes for around three years out of the five years prior to applying for Canadian citizenship.
They might be subject to filing an income tax return even if they have lived partially during an entire year under the following circumstances:
- Requirement of tax payment for the entire year.
- Seek to Claim a refund.
- Wish to access credit payments and benefits.
Acquiring Canadian citizenship through clearing a citizenship examination
Those between the age group of 18 and 54 years must clear a Canadian citizenship examination. The citizenship will have a duration of thirty minutes and will comprise around twenty questions. These will be related to the Canadian’s rights and responsibilities based on important subjects like Canadian history, government, laws, and geography. These exams would be either in French or English.
Language Ability is an essential requirement
Those between the age group of 18 and 54 years will require to demonstrate their potential concerning language skills in either French or English. They must show their Canadian Language Benchmark score to be 4 or even beyond that.
IRCC will consider and analyze their language abilities in French or English through the following:
- Verification of the proof submitted with the application.
- Observation of the individual’s communication skills with the citizenship officer during the application procedure.
- Assessment of the person’s language proficiency level during the hearing session with the citizenship official.
- IRCC accepts language skill proof in the form of diplomas and certificates.
Canadian citizenship- what about its ineligibility?
Canadian citizenship’s ineligibility is evident in the case of an individual’s failure to meet the eligibility requirements. Likewise, a person with any criminal or legal challenges within his record will also be deemed ineligible for Canadian citizenship.
The several ineligibility factors of Canadian citizenship include the following:
- If suppose you lost your Canadian citizenship status within the last five years.
- You were subject to any criminal conviction in the previous three years.
- In case you have been imprisoned or are currently on parole or probation.
- Additionally, you’re under a Canadian removal order.
- You’re subject to any ongoing investigation for a criminal act during a war or against humanity.
Overall, IRCC claims that the Canadian citizenship application’s processing time would be around 24 months. However, this processing period will include the entire application, interview or ceremony, and the citizenship exam.
