Becoming a Canadian Citizen is the goal of many immigrants and is the last step that will truly allow someone to become a next-generation Canadian.

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To be eligible for Citizenship you must:

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• Be a Canadian Permanent Resident.

• Have met all of the residency requirements as conditions of your Permanent Residency.

• Be 18 years of age or be 14 years or older if with a parent.

• Have a clear criminal history and not be considered a security threat to the country.

• Be competent and able to use one of Canada’s official languages, either English or French.

 

If you are under the age of 64, you must also be able to pass the Canadian Citizenship Test which tests your knowledge of Canada; Although the above list is quite inclusive there are some variations that are possible depending on the person’s age and the history of their status in Canada.

 

By becoming a Canadian Citizen, you will:

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• Be able to vote in all elections.

• Run for government office if you desire.

• Join the military.

• Apply for a Canadian Passport.

 

Additionally, you will be able to pass on to your children the right of citizenship and allow them and subsequent generations the right to be a citizen of Canada.

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Minor Application (under 18 years of age)

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Minors under 18 years of age may apply for citizenship if they are a permanent resident and have a parent who is either a Canadian citizen or who is applying for citizenship at the same time. The completed application and processing fee is all that is required — they do not need to take the citizenship test.

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You may be ineligible for Canadian citizenship if you

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• Are under a removal order

• Have a criminal record or are facing changes in Canada

• Been refused Canadian citizenship as a result of misrepresentation

• Had your Canadian citizenship revoked

 

Applications are submitted to the citizenship office in Sydney, Nova Scotia where they are pre-screened to ensure the application is complete and the 4-year residence rule has been met. Within about 12 months from submission, applicants will be required to attend an interview to demonstrate their knowledge of Canada in one of Canada' Official languages.

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Citizenship Language Requirement

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Applicants for citizenship between the ages of 14-64 must provide evidence of their knowledge of one of Canada’s official languages on the date their application is submitted. The minimum language abilities to be met are described in the regulations as the capacity to:

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• Take part in short, everyday conversations

• Understand simple instructions

• Use basic grammar, simple structures and tenses in oral communication

• Use vocabulary that is adequate for routine oral communication

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The applicant for Citizenship must have English or French-speaking and listening abilities that meet the language requirements described above. Written proficiency is not necessary. Evidence of language proficiency must include one of the following:

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• Results of an IRCC approved language test

• Diploma or transcripts showing secondary or post-secondary education in English or French

• Results from a government-funded language course showing CLB 4 or NCLC 4 or higher

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Individuals who underwent language testing in the process of applying for permanent residence can use those results as evidence of proficiency, even if they have since expired. Language tests currently approved by IRCC for citizenship application purposes are:

 

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• Canadian English Language-Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)

• Test d’Évaluation Française (TEF)

• Test d’Évaluation du Français Adapté au Québec (TEFAQ)

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