The basic criterion demands that the individual should be physically available in Canada for at least three years in the past five years. This is applicable to everyone who wishes to become a Canadian citizen. For 18 years and above, they must be available in the maple country at least for 36 months in the last 60, before applying for citizenship.
Furthermore, out of those five years, you are supposed to be a Permanent resident for at least 24 months. After getting the PR, every day is counted as a day towards your application. For temporary residents, every one day is counted as a half. And there is a limit for that as well, which is 365 days. So if a Temporary resident stays in the maple country for three years, then only it will be counted as 365 days for the applications. So, for example, if you have spent 60 months as a permanent resident in the country, then you don’t have to worry about the days as a temp resident (also, it will not be counted); however, if you were not a temp resident earlier, so you will have to complete the 1,095 days (five years) as a permanent resident.
Before applying for it, please make sure you have adequate days in your kitty than what you need. That ensures that if there are in counting mistakes, that will not hamper your chances of getting citizenship. This is even recommended by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Other eligibility criteria for citizenship
If you determine that you have sufficient days in your kitty, there are a few other things to keep in mind. Below-mentioned is the requirements:
- The individual should have a good command of the French/English language so that they easily converse in the country. For the group between 18 to 54 age, a language proficiency proof needs to be submitted.
- The applicant should be well-versed with the historical, geographical, and political arrangements in the land of snow.
- If they have a criminal background, it will lead to rejection, and there is almost no chance of getting citizenship.
- Before you apply, there should be your taxation data in the maple country for at least three years (out of the recent five).
- There are certain fees involved in the process which should be done to IRCC.
If the individual meets all the above-mentioned criteria, they can now apply for citizenship. The age group mentioned above will have to take a citizenship test after getting approval. The government also organizes a ceremony for the distribution of citizenship. Afterwards, every applicant will have to take the Oath of Citizenship as the final step. They become citizens of Canada afterwards.
Criteria for refugee claimants and Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) applicants
The study or work permit does not give you temporary status. This is during the time when the refugee claim or PRRA is being examined. That is why this duration cannot be accounted for in your days for the citizenship application.
For a protected person, the duration is accounted only when they get a positive decision on their claim or PRRA application. And this is till the time they are getting the PR status. After the approval and before getting the PR, the in-between days are counted as a half-day.
Procedure for Canadian prisoners
Generally, days spent in prison, on probation, or on parole in Canada are not considered against the physical presence. There are a few peculiarities to this rule. If the individual did not break parole, their time on probation as a result of a dependent discharge could be counted toward the presence requirement. Furthermore, if the individual received a youth term and managed to complete it, they do not have to record any time spent in jail or on parole. If they served a term for a crime in the maple country for over 60 months before the date of their application, they are not required to disclose it because it falls outside of the physical presence condition period assessed by IRCC.
