To become a Canadian citizen, you must meet several legal and practical requirements set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These rules ensure that applicants are well-integrated into Canadian society and ready to take on the responsibilities of citizenship.
The first and most important requirement is that you must be a permanent resident (PR) of Canada. This means you have legally immigrated to Canada and have the right to live and work here. Your PR status must not be under review for fraud or subject to a removal order.
Second, you must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (which is three full years) during the five years before you apply. You can count some time spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person, but only up to a maximum of 365 days. It is recommended to have more than 1,095 days to avoid miscalculations.
Third, you need to meet Canada’s income tax filing requirements. Specifically, you must have filed taxes for at least three years within the five-year period before applying, if required under Canadian law. This shows that you are participating in Canada’s economic system and meeting your responsibilities.
If you are between the ages of 18 and 54, you must show that you have adequate language ability in either English or French. This means being able to speak and understand one of Canada’s official languages at a basic level. You will need to provide proof, such as results from an approved language test, or school documents that show you were educated in English or French.
You also need to pass a citizenship test, which is required for applicants aged 18 to 54. This test covers topics such as Canadian history, geography, government, laws, symbols, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The test is usually written, but it may be oral in some cases.
Finally, you must not have any prohibitions against you. This means you must not have a recent criminal history, either in Canada or outside the country. Serious criminal charges or imprisonment can make you ineligible for citizenship for a certain period.Meeting these requirements is necessary to apply for Canadian citizenship. Once approved, you will be invited to take the Oath of Citizenship, which officially makes you a Canadian citizen.