Canadian Citizenship

A Canadian passport is highly prized. It facilitates ease of entry into many countries both developed and benighted. One must first however apply for Canadian citizenship before being able to acquire a Canadian passport.

A child can be born to a parent who is a Canadian citizen may be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship even if that child is born outside of Canada. Other candidates can acquire Canadian citizenship through naturalization.
Naturalized citizens must reside in Canada three out of five years before submitting an application for Canadian citizenship. Another requirement includes ability in one of Canada’s official languages, if applying between the ages of 18 and 54. Such ability can be demonstrated through a standardized language test, or through proof of studying secondary or higher school in the English or French language.

A further requirement that ties one to Canada includes proof of filing Canadian tax returns for three out of the previous five years prior to applying for citizenship. A test of facts deemed relevant to being a Canadian citizen must be completed for those between the age of 18 and 54. A booklet is available from Canada’s citizenship department to provide some idea of what is on this ‘knowledge test’.

Those permanent resident who were fortunate enough to have resided in Canada as temporary residents (e.g. as study permit holders, work permit holders) or protected persons, can avail themselves of the physical presence they acquired under those forms of temporary status within five years of applying for Canadian citizenship. However, those days count only as ½ days, up to a maximum of 1 year (365 days) towards the minimum three years of physical presence.