Requirements For Citizenship Canada Application

By James Reed


The Citizenship Act of 2014 simplified applications for anyone seeking citizenship in Canada. It simplified the requirements and fast tracked acquisition of this status. It opened citizenship Canada to those who served in the army, those who have resided in Canada long enough and those serving the country abroad. Foreigners recruited into the army have an easier time gaining residency.

Any applicant must have attained the age of 18 years to be eligible. However, a person below 18 years can have his or her application done by an adoptive parent, a citizen or legal guardian. The child on whose behalf the application is made should have met all the conditions of permanent residency. Parents and guardians whose applications are pending can also apply on behalf of their children.

Any applicant only qualifies if he or she has acquired permanent residency. Your application or status should be unquestioned meaning that you have met all basic requirements. Persons under immigration review or facing fraud questions are however treated differently during application. Failure to fulfill PR conditions or being ordered to depart the country by an immigration official will affect your application. The PR card is always demanded but an expired one will still be accepted as long as it is clean.

Before applying, you should have resided physically in Canada for 1460 days over the past six years. You also should prove physical residence for 183 days over four years or partially over six years. Crown servants making an application and children under 18 years are exempted from this rule. The time calculated is after acquiring permanent residence status.

Your tax records will either make your application easy or difficult. All permanent residents are required to fulfill certain obligations. Your records will indicate whether you have met these obligations of not. It will be easier if your records are clean. The officials will consider the four or six year period under review.

The state demands that you make your residency intentions clear. This means that you intend to live in Canada, be a crown servant in or outside or work for the country abroad. Becoming a citizen allows you to live, work and enter or depart the country at will. You will enjoy similar rights to those enjoyed by native citizens. This explains the stringent measures taken during the process.

Language is a crucial determinant of eligibility. French and English are considered the two official languages used by Canadians. Any applicant must be tested of fluency in one of the two languages. The officials will test your ability to engage in daily conversations easily, take instructions, receive orders and answer questions. Your understanding of directions will also be tested. The officials also test your grammar, tenses and vocabulary.

There are rights as well as obligations enjoyed and demanded of every Canadian citizen. The rights mainly regard election participation. You will be tested on the history, symbols, values and institutions that govern Canada. Some tests will be oral while others are written. Conviction for crimes, charges or investigations will compromise your application.




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