OBTAINING CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP
Obtaining Canadian Citizenship is for the most part a simple procedure. There are several small, but important steps that must be taken. These steps can only be taken after the applicant has successfully been granted permanent residence status.To become a Citizen of Canada, applicants must:
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- be 18 years of age or older;
- be a permanent resident of Canada;
- have lived in Canada for at least three of the four years before applying (1095 days);
- be able to communicate in either English or French;
- have knowledge about Canada (history, geography, government);
- have knowledge about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship;
Time spent in Canada as a Permanent Resident counts as a full time, while you may count ½ time (up to a maximum of 730 half days which equals 365 days full days) for the time you resided in Canada before you became a permanent resident. You must equal a total of 1095 days, the day before you file your citizenship application.
The Canadian Government will test your knowledge of Canada by asking you to either pass a written or oral examination. The citizenship examination is conducted in either English or French. You must, therefore, be able to communicate in one of these two official languages. The examination will test your understanding of the following:
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1. the right to vote in elections in Canada;
2. the right to run for elected office in Canada;
3. voting procedures and how to register yourself as a voter;
4. Canada’s history;
5. Canada’s geography; and
6. the rights and responsibilities of citizenship
The Canadian Government tests all applicants between the ages of 18 and 59. On average the written test is completed within 30 minutes, while the oral exam takes anywhere between 15-30 minutes. The test is scheduled by the Citizenship authorities and the exact time, date and place of the examination is provided through postal mail.
MINOR CHILDREN
Minor children (any children under the age of 18) must be a permanent resident of Canada in order to be apply for Canadian Citizenship. However children are not required to attain the other requisites. Applicants may apply on behalf of your child, if:
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o You are already a citizen; or
o Apply for citizenship as a family
They will be granted citizenship automatically with the principal applicant.
REFUSAL OF CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP
Prior to applying the eligibility requirement for citizenship should be reviewed carefully. Any one of the following points will result in a refusal of a Citizenship application.
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- have not been residing in Canada for the minimum of 1095 days;
- are under a removal order;
- presently charged with an indictable criminal offence;
- convicted of an indictable criminal offence in the past three years;
- presently in prison, on parole, or on probation;
- presently being investigated for or have been convicted of war crimes;
- revocation of Canadian citizenship in the last five years.
Note: Time spent in prison, on parole or on probation may not be counted towards becoming a citizen.
CONTACT ROBINSON SHEPPARD SHAPIRO
Robinson Sheppard Shapiro
Tel : (514) 393-7600,
Toll Free in North America : 1-866-404-7600
E-Mail : info@rsscanadaimmigration.com
Web: www.rsscanadaimmigration.com
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