Canada is globally known as a strong and free country that has inherited the oldest continuous constitutional monarchy in the world. This has given Canadians a certain sense of pride in their unique identity.
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is anything to go by when he says, “Anytime I meet people who got to make the deliberate choice, (or) whose parents chose Canada, I’m jealous. Because I think being able to choose it, rather than being Canadian by default, is an amazing statement of attachment to Canada” (Global News – June 30, 2017) – obtaining a Canadian citizenship is certainly a magnanimous feat but can an also be an emotional rollercoaster.
For many immigrants, acquiring a Canadian citizenship is the final stage in the immigration process. It is an important measure of effective integration because it allows immigrants to vote, participate in politics, and boost their career prospects.
More than 70% of all permanent residents apply for Canadian citizenship, according to CIC News, and compared to other western countries, “Canada has one of the highest percentages of immigrants who obtain citizenship.”
So, why is it such an emotional rollercoaster for many people? While Canada accepts dual citizenship, many other countries, including Iran, India, Afghanistan, China, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and others, do not – forcing former residents to choose between retaining their birth citizenship or acquiring a new one. While the excitement of officially adopting and embracing Canada as one’s new country, it can be tough losing your birth citizenship.
Benefits to being a Canadian Citizen
- Canadian Passport – The Canadian passport is ranked among the top ten in the world, allowing citizens to travel to over 187 countries worldwide without a visa or easier access for those that require one
- More job opportunities – There are more chances to apply for federal employment, particularly those that require a high degree of security clearance.
- Politics and Voting Rights – Citizens have the ability to vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections, run for office, and participate in political activities, giving them a say in who leads Canada’s many levels of government. This could be a municipality, a city, a school board, a province, a territory, or a country.
Eligibility Requirements for Citizenship
- be a permanent resident – permanent resident for at least two years in order to meet the physical presence requirement. After you become a permanent resident, each day in Canada counts as one full day toward your citizenship application.
- have lived in Canada for three out of the last five years or 1095 days – Each day you were physically in Canada as a temporary resident before you became a permanent resident counts as half a day, up to a maximum of 365 days. So, if you were a temporary resident who did not leave Canada for three years, it would only count for 365 days
- have filed your taxes, if you need to
- pass a test on your rights, responsibilities and knowledge of Canada
- prove your language skills
- Applicants aged between 18 – 54 years old, would be eligible to write a citizenship test, showcasing their knowledge about the Rights and Responsibilities of being a Canadian