There is an ongoing celebration of Citizenship Week in Canada. In a statement released by IRCC, immigration minister Marc Miller stated that this week is an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on what it means to be a Canadian. The week runs from May 13 to May 19.
The minister will mark the week by attending numerous citizenship ceremonies and events and visiting local organizations that provide assistance to newcomers, offering a range of services from official language training to employment opportunities.
Canada welcomed over 393,500 new citizens between April 1 & March 31, 2024, outpacing the almost 364,000 new citizens from the same period last year.
Other newcomer-focused events this month include Toronto’s annual Newcomer Day. On May 23, anyone in Toronto can visit Nathan Phillips Square and access information about settlement services, finding employment, Canada’s history, and much more. The day will also feature a citizenship ceremony.
Why Become A Canadian Citizen?
Apart from the celebration of citizenship week in Canada, Canadian citizens benefit from a wealth of rights & freedoms in a multicultural society that encourages tolerance for others irrespective of race, gender, caste, religion, etc.
Moreover, citizens are also eligible for Canadian passports, which are among the strongest in the world and allow visa-free access to over 100 nations worldwide. Thus, they might enter and leave Canada without the worry of obtaining a visa or permit.
Citizens might also vote in federal, municipal, and provincial elections, access more government benefits, and be guaranteed free healthcare.
Finally, post-secondary education in Canada is significantly less expensive for citizens than it is for international students.
How To Become A Canadian Citizen?
There are multiple steps to becoming a Canadian citizen. To begin with, all new citizens must already be permanent residents of Canada. This can be achieved by applying through one of over 100 Canadian immigration pathways.
Once a citizenship applicant has permanent resident status, they should meet the physical residence requirements. Specifically, citizenship applicants must have lived in Canada for a minimum of three of the past five years or a total of 1,095 days.
Well, this doesn’t imply that becoming a citizen takes three years after getting permanent residency. IRCC allows applicants to count time spent as a temporary resident or protected person in the past five years towards their physical resident requirement. Every day spent as a temporary resident is counted as a half day, up to a maximum of 365 days.
Lastly, you might need proof that you have filed taxes in Canada for three of the last five years. This will typically be necessary for anyone who has worked in Canada as a temporary or permanent resident. Those who do not file taxes are not eligible for any government refunds, benefits, or credits.
Applicants must also have a CLB score of at least four in either English or French. This can be demonstrated using:
- Results from an approved third-party test
- Proof of achieving CLB 4 or higher in certain government language programs
- Transcripts or a diploma from a secondary/ post-secondary education in English or French
Once the requirements are met, candidates must pass a citizenship test. This test, issued by IRCC, takes 20-30 minutes to complete & features questions about Canadian history, political process, geography, & the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. Applicants must score 15 out of 20 to pass.
Citizenship Ceremonies
Apart from the celebration of citizenship week in Canada, it is vital to note that once an applicant is approved for citizenship, they need to attend the ceremony. During the ceremony, applicants will:
- Take the oath of citizenship
- Get their citizenship certificate
- Sing the national anthem
- Sign the oath/ affirmation of citizenship form
The ceremony can take place in person in front of a judge or through a video link provided for individuals unable to attend in person.