Ceremony of granting Canadian citizenship
Conditions for obtaining Canadian citizenship
In order to become a Canadian citizen, applicants must meet the following conditions: be at least 18 years old; permanently reside in Canada; have the status of Permanent Resident of Canada. In addition, they must meet a number of other mandatory requirements, which we will examine below.
• Live in Canada for at least three of the last four years. This means the actual time spent in Canada. For example, if you entered Canada on January 1, 2012, and then left for 5 months in 2013, you may apply for citizenship no earlier than June 1, 2015, when you have accumulated three actual years of residence in Canada (not a calendar period).
For those who entered Canada without permanent resident status and obtained it later, time spent in Canada before obtaining status also counts toward the required three years, but not fully, only half of that period. For example, if you entered on a student visa and studied in Canada for 1 year, and during that time you obtained status (one year after actual entry into Canada), only half a year will be credited. For those who received an immigration visa and entered Canada with permanent resident status immediately, time counts on a one-to-one basis (day for day).
• Demonstrate proficiency in English or French at a certain level. English and French are the official languages of Canada. You must know one of these languages well enough to understand others, hold a simple conversation, read and write simple texts. Language proficiency is confirmed by test results (IELTS, TEF, etc.). Information on which tests are accepted, which are suitable for your case, and the minimum requirements for each can be found on the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
• Have general knowledge about Canada. You must be aware of the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens. You must also have a general understanding of Canada's history, geography, and political system. Knowledge is tested through an exam.
How children become Canadian citizens
Children do not need to live in Canada for three years to become citizens. If you are the parent of a child under 18, you can apply for citizenship on their behalf. You must either be a Canadian citizen or be in the process of obtaining citizenship yourself. Children do not have to take the test.
Who cannot become a citizen
You cannot become a Canadian citizen if: you were convicted and served a prison sentence (or were given a suspended sentence) within the last 4 years; you were convicted in the last 3 years of criminal offenses that did not involve a prison sentence; you have received a deportation order from Canada and are not allowed to be in its territory; you are accused of involvement in war crimes or crimes against humanity; you were stripped of Canadian citizenship in the last 5 years.
It should be noted that the above facts are not always an obstacle to obtaining citizenship – each case is considered individually. Moreover, if one spouse falls under the above circumstances and cannot obtain citizenship, this does not affect the ability of the other spouse to obtain citizenship.
How to apply for citizenship
After you have accumulated three years of residence in Canada, you should obtain a package of forms. You can find out where to get the forms on the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
After receiving the package, you should fill out an application form for each family member, including children (special forms are issued for children under 18); attach a photocopy of the Permanent Resident Card; attach photocopies of two identity documents (e.g., Driver's Licence and Health Card); two color or black-and-white photographs of size 35x53 mm, with a white stripe at the bottom of 10 mm height, on which the photograph owner signs (on the back of each photograph, the photo studio stamp where the photos were taken should be placed; all family members over 14 must sign the photographs); include a cheque, money order, or credit card information (VISA and NASTER CARD are accepted). A government processing fee of $300 per adult and $100 per child under 18 is charged.
For a child, a slightly different set of documents is required, namely: a completed application signed by one of the parents; a copy of the birth certificate, and if the birth certificate is not in English or French, a certified translation must be attached; attach photocopies of two identity documents (e.g., Health card and School record); if the child's parents are already Canadian citizens, attach a photocopy of their Canadian citizenship certificate.
After the documents are prepared, place everything in the envelope provided with the package and send it to the Case Processing Centre of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. If your application is approved, you will be assigned a time and place to attend a ceremony to take the Oath of Citizenship. After taking the oath, you become a Canadian citizen and receive a certificate indicating the date you became a citizen.