Canadian Citizenship: Ways to Becoming a Canadian Citizen

There are three main pathways to Canadian citizenship: by birth, descent, and naturalization. To become a Canadian citizen, foreign nationals must first receive permanent residency and live in Canada for five years. After meeting the requirements, they can acquire citizenship.

Canada is a wealthy country with a stable political environment. It’s a popular destination due to the various benefits of Canadian citizenship, such as visa-free travel to 187 countries and a high quality of life. Today, the beautiful mountains, lakes, and forests attract tourists and hundreds of thousands of investors looking to expand their business ventures. This article will cover how to become a Canadian citizen, the application process, eligibility criteria, and other requirements.

Keep reading to learn about:

• How to get citizenship?
• Step-by-step application process
• Application fees

Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

The benefits of Canadian citizenship are increasingly sought after due to the high travel mobility, healthcare system, social assistance, quality of life, and desirable business setting. These advantages include:

• Affordable healthcare – The government of Canada covers about 70% of healthcare costs. Most essential and emergency medical care is free for Canadian citizens, with minor out-of-pocket costs.
• Path to dual citizenship – Canadian citizens can have multiple citizenships without renouncing their former nationality status.
• Global travel – A valid Canadian passport provides visa-free travel or visa-on-arrival to 187 countries.
• High quality of life – Canada has a high standard of living with low unemployment rates.
• Cheaper tuition – College and university fees are lower for Canadian citizens and permanent residents than for foreign nationals.
• Family sponsorship – A Canadian citizen can sponsor a family member, grandchild, niece, or nephew to immigrate to Canada and receive citizenship Canada. Canadian passport holders can also sponsor a first-generation descendant born outside Canada.
• Social assistance – Canadian citizens receive social assistance, while non-residents cannot, regardless of citizenship status. Social assistance covers basic needs like food, utilities, clothing, shelter, and housing supplies. These Canadian citizenship benefits make the Citizenship certificate valuable for low-income families.
• Civic duties and privileges – Canadian citizens can vote in local, territorial, provincial, and federal elections and run for political office.

How to get Canadian Citizenship?

There are three main ways to acquire citizenship Canada. You can become a legal citizen by birth, descent, or naturalization. Here is a more detailed look at each of them.

Canadian citizenship by birth

The Canadian Citizenship Act determines that a child born in Canada to a Canadian parent receives automatic citizenship. The Citizenship Act states that a child born in Canada to Canadian parents is a citizen by birth. A birth certificate is usually enough to prove eligibility, but people can also apply for a citizenship certificate.

Canadian citizenship by descent

Canadian citizenship by descent means that a person born abroad is eligible for Canadian citizenship because one or both parents are Canadian citizens. The Citizenship Act limits citizenship by descent to the first generation born abroad, as long as the parent hasn’t renounced their citizenship.

Canadian citizenship by naturalization

The naturalization process allows eligible immigrants to become Canadian citizens. Foreigners can obtain citizenship upon becoming permanent residents.

Applicants born outside Canada can receive a Canadian citizenship card after meeting specific requirements, such as having been physically in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) during the five years before the date they sign the application.

Foreign nationals must be permanent residents, provide the necessary identification documents, and pass the citizenship test to qualify for the naturalization process.

Who can apply for Canadian Citizenship?

To apply, you must be:

• A permanent resident
• 18 years or older (or a minor of a Canadian parent)
• Someone who can meet the language requirement (English or French)
• Someone who passed the Canadian citizenship test

What documents are required?

The government of Canada often requires the following documents when applying for Canadian citizenship.

These documents can include:

• Original printout of your citizenship application form.
• Color photocopy of your travel documents or passport.
• Photocopy of two pieces of personal identification, like your identification document (ID), driver’s license, senior citizen identification card, health insurance card, etc.
• Proof of permanent residence.
• Two citizenship photos.
• Authorized documents that determine English or French language proficiency.
• Receipt of paid application fees.

What is the citizenship language requirement?

Applicants between 18 and 54 must provide a diploma, certificate, or transcript that proves they can communicate and understand English or French. The government of Canada requires demonstrating proficiency level 4 or higher based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).

A Canadian citizen must be able to communicate and write in Canada’s two official languages. The francophone provinces and territories use French as an official language. The CLB requirements vary between provinces. For example, Québec province requires at least CLB 5 in French.

What are the steps to becoming a Canadian citizen?

To become a legal citizen and receive a Canadian passport, most applicants must:

1. Be a permanent resident. Submit proof of permanent residency that indicates you lived in Canada for three years during the five years before you signed the citizenship application.
2. Fill out the form. Complete the citizenship application form and provide the necessary documents.
3. File taxes if necessary. You must meet your tax filing obligations to be eligible for citizenship Canada. These obligations may be different for every applicant.
4. Complete a citizenship test. You must pass the test covering important government and history topics.
5. Meet the language requirement. Provide proof of English and French proficiency with a level four score or higher.
6. Attend the citizenship ceremony. Take an oath of citizenship to receive a certificate and become a legal citizen, regardless of your previous nationality status.

It can take a few years to meet all the Canadian citizenship requirements, depending on your residency status.

How to apply online for Canadian citizenship?

You can apply online if you are a permanent resident, 18 years or older, or a minor to a Canadian parent. The official government website for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides online services and all the forms you must complete.

How to apply on paper for Canadian citizenship?

To apply on paper, you must be physically present in Canada. The government of Canada provides an application package with the forms, an instruction manual, and required documents, like an identification document (ID). To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must be a permanent resident, 18 years or older, or a minor to a Canadian parent.

What are Canadian citizenship fees?

The Canadian citizenship cost varies based on your age. The application fee for an adult is $649.75, and $100 per minor. The payment receipt is the same whether you fill out a physical form or apply online. The table below provides all the application fees in Canadian dollars.

Canadian Citizenship Processing Time

Canadian citizenship processing time varies but often takes months. You first wait about four months to receive a decision on your application, then another three to four months to receive your citizenship. If you are applying for a minor located outside the country, the processing time can last six to eight months.

The average processing times include:

• Three months for a Canadian citizenship certificate.
• Eight months for a citizenship grant.
• Eight months for a renunciation of citizenship.
• 15 months for a search of citizenship records.

Other factors can cause delays, such as background checks, incomplete forms, interview scheduling, etc.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Canadian Citizenship

How can I become a citizen of Canada?

You can become a Canadian citizen by birth, descent, or naturalization. Individuals born in Canada to at least one parent receive citizenship by birth. Foreigners must first receive a permanent resident status, live there for three out of five years, and pass a citizenship test.

What are the benefits of being a Canadian citizen?

Canadian citizens have access to a Canadian passport, voting rights, and the ability to run for public office. They can also live abroad and not lose their citizenship certificate. They can have dual citizenship and enjoy universally accepted travel to 187 countries.

Do I need to take a Canadian citizenship test?

If you are between 18 and 54 years old when you sign the application, you must take the citizenship test. Applicants who are 55 years old or older don’t have to take the citizenship test to meet all Canadian citizenship requirements.

What is the difference between a Canadian citizen and a permanent resident?

Canadian citizenship can be obtained through several pathways. These include birth on Canadian soil, having a Canadian parent or grandparent, or living in Canada as a permanent resident for five years. Citizenship in Canada provides a permanent and unchangeable status, unlike that of permanent residents, whose status could be revoked.

How to obtain a Canadian passport?

To get a Canadian passport, you must be 16 years old or over and provide proof of Canadian citizenship. This means submitting a valid citizenship certificate and meeting all the Canadian citizenship eligibility criteria.

Is it easy to get a Canadian citizenship?

There is no easy way to get Canadian citizenship. First, you must qualify for permanent residency and physically reside in Canada for several years. Then, you must pass a difficult citizenship test and meet all the necessary requirements. This process requires effort and persistence.

Can you get Canadian citizenship through marriage?

No. Marrying a Canadian doesn’t automatically grant you citizenship. You still have to follow all the processes, just like everyone else. However, your spouse could sponsor you for Canadian immigration. This would be your first step to achieving a permanent resident status.

What is the Canadian citizenship ceremony?

The citizenship ceremony is a symbolic event that marks the last step of the naturalization process. You can wear appropriate business attire or ceremonial clothing during the citizenship ceremony. You must swear an oath of allegiance to the government of Canada to become a Canadian citizen.

Can someone lose their Canadian citizenship?

The government of Canada can revoke citizenship if you misrepresented yourself, committed fraud, or failed to disclose valuable immigration information on your application. The decision to grant citizenship to foreign nationals should never erase Canadian sovereignty or undermine the values that define the nation.

Does Canada provide citizenship by investment?

Canada doesn’t have a direct citizenship by investment program like other countries. However, it provides several business immigration programs that can lead to permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship. The Canada Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program is one such example that allows international entrepreneurs to open a business and apply for permanent residence.

What is the cost of applying for Canadian citizenship?

The application fees vary between adults and children. The citizenship fee for adults is $649.75, which includes the processing and right of citizenship fee. For minors the application costs $100 for the processing fee.