Canadian citizenship offers significant benefits, such as a higher quality of life, economic stability, and visa-free travel to 187 countries. 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 all the opportunities available for citizenship, the costs involved, the documents required, and more.
Canadian Citizenship: An Overview
Canadian citizenship can be obtained through several pathways. These include birth on Canadian soil, having a Canadian parent or grandparent, or having been a permanent resident in Canada for more than 1,095 days of living.
Permanent residents (PRs) are legal residents with a PR status. The Canadian Permanent Resident Card allows holders to live in Canada but doesn’t grant them full citizenship.
Citizenship in Canada provides a permanent and unchangeable status, unlike permanent residents whose status could be revoked.
Canadian passports are some of the most powerful passports in the world. Canadian citizens can travel in and out of 187 countries without permits or visas. They enjoy more rights than permanent residents, including voting and international travel benefits.
Requirements to become a Canadian citizen include:
- Being a permanent resident
- Having lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years
- Having filed your taxes
- Providing proof of your English language skills
- Passing a citizenship test
- Taking the oath of citizenship
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 can include:
- Universally accepted travel. A valid Canadian passport grants access to various destinations for travel, work, or residence. It grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 countries.
- Affordable healthcare. Most essential and emergency medical care is free with minor out-of-pocket expenses. The government covers about 70% of healthcare costs. Patients pay directly or privately for the other 30%, or employer insurance covers those costs.
- Higher quality of life. Canada has an excellent standard of living with low unemployment rates. The country has access to resources, funding options, and communities that value innovation, entrepreneurship, and business growth.
- Cheaper tuition. Every Canadian college and university charges tuition fees. The cost for PRs and Canadian citizens can vary between CAD $2,500 and $11,400 annually. These expenses are often higher for international students. After obtaining a student visa, foreigners can stay in the country until they complete their studies, plus 90 days.
- Family sponsorships. You can sponsor an orphaned family member, grandchild, niece, or nephew to immigrate to Canada and receive citizenship. If that person or family member has a partner or children who will relocate to Canada, you must add them to the same document for citizenship application.
- Social assistance. Legal residents of Canada can receive social assistance, while non-residents cannot, regardless of their citizenship status. Social assistance can cover basic needs like food, utilities, clothing, shelter, and housing supplies. These Canadian citizenship benefits make the certificate a practical choice for low-income families.
- Civic duties and privileges. Canadian citizens can vote in local, territorial, provincial, and federal elections. They can also run for political office. Educating new citizens about the democratic party and other political structures can help them make informed decisions.
How to get Canadian Citizenship?
There are three main pathways to Canadian citizenship. 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 individuals born in Canada automatically become citizens. A child born to a Canadian parent has the right to a Canadian passport. The act states that citizens have access to free public education and social assistance.
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. This legal principle gives you an automatic claim as long as the parent hasn’t renounced their citizenship.
Canadian citizenship by naturalization
Canada has some of the highest naturalization rates on the globe. By 2021, almost 80% of eligible immigrants became citizens.
Individuals 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 (3 years) during the 5 years before the date you sign your application.
Applicants must be permanent residents, provide the necessary documents, and pass the citizenship test to qualify.
Does Canada grant citizenship by investment?
Canada doesn’t offer 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 allows international entrepreneurs to establish a reliable business and apply for permanent residence in Canada. People who invest in Quebec through the Quebec Investor Immigration Program (QIIP) receive a work permit to Quebec. After having a work permit for at least 6 months within two years, they can apply for permanent residency.
QIIP targets investments that go into a government-managed fund that supports small businesses and economic development in Quebec. The SUV program attracts entrepreneurs to open and run a business in Canada. With endorsements from tech billionaires like Elon Musk, there has been a growing interest in engineering and artificial intelligence research.
Learn more about Canada Startup Visa
Applying for Canadian Citizenship: A Step-by-Step Guide
Below, we will walk you through the application process that aligns with the Canadian citizenship requirements.
To become a legal citizen, most applicants must:
- Be a permanent resident. Submit proof of residency that indicates you lived in Canada for three years (1,095 days) during the five years before you signed the citizenship application. There are some exceptions to this rule, and the government of Canada can help determine your eligibility.
- Fill out the application package. Complete the citizenship application form. Make sure to check the instructions and provide the necessary documents.
- File taxes if necessary. You must meet your tax filing obligations to be eligible for citizenship Canada. The tax obligations may be different for everyone.
- Complete a citizenship test. Applicants between 18 and 54 must pass the test covering important government and history topics.
- Meet the language requirement. Provide proof of adequate knowledge in English and French with a level 4 score or higher.
- Attend the citizenship ceremony. Immigrants take an oath of citizenship and receive a certificate that officially recognizes them as citizens, regardless of their previous nationality status.
It can take a few years to meet all the Canadian citizenship requirements, depending on your residency status.
Canadian Citizenship Required Documents
The necessary documents may 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.
- Photocopy of the receipt indicating you paid the application fees.
What is the cost of applying for Canadian citizenship?
The application fee is $630 per adult and $100 per minor. The payment receipt is the same whether you fill out a physical form or apply online. The table below offers a more detailed overview of all the prices in Canadian dollars based on various application fees.
Application fee | Cost |
Adult (18+) | $630 |
Minor (under 18) | $100 |
Citizenship certificate | $75 |
Stateless adult (18+) born to a Canadian parent | $100 |
Right of Citizenship | $100 |
Search for a record of citizenship | $75 |
Resume citizenship (18+) | $530 |
Resume citizenship (under 18) | $100 |
Renounce citizenship | $100 |
Canadian Citizenship Processing Time
Canadian citizenship processing time varies but often takes months. You first wait about 4 months to receive a decision on your application, then another 3 to 4 months to receive your citizenship.
If you are applying for a minor located outside the country, the processing time can last 6 to 8 months. Other factors can cause delays, such as background checks, incomplete forms, interview scheduling, etc.
Dual Citizenship in Canada
Each country determines who it recognizes as a citizen. If multiple countries recognize you as a citizen, you hold dual citizenship. You don’t formally apply for one, nor is there a specific certificate with it.
Canadians can have foreign citizenship without renouncing their original nationality. They still get access to universally accepted travel and enjoy all the perks of Canadian citizenship. Before you apply for citizenship, check the immigration policies of any foreign government.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canadian Citizenship
How to obtain a Canadian passport?
You must be 16 years old or over, and provide proof of Canadian citizenship to get a Canadian passport. This means submitting a valid certificate or citizenship card. You must also bring your birth certificate, reliable health card, driver’s license, and passport photos.
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.
Can someone lose their Canadian citizenship?
A Canadian government 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.
How do U.S. and Canadian citizenship revocation laws differ?
Canada and the U.S. use different grounds and processes to revoke citizenship. In the U.S., the federal government can pursue a criminal or civil proceeding in federal court to revoke citizenship. In Canada, the decision goes through the Order in Council, allowing the individual to appeal.
