What are the Requirements for Canadian Citizenship?

Whether you are applying for Canadian Citizenship yourself or are seeking the assistance of a Canadian Citizenship Lawyer, you should be aware of the requirements for acquiring Canadian citizenship. There are different ways to qualify for citizenship, including birthright citizenship, citizenship by descent, and citizenship by descent for spouses of Canadian citizens. Getting the citizenship you deserve is not a quick process, and the process can be complicated if you don't have a background in the legal system. The best way to learn more about the requirements is to contact a Canadian citizenship lawyer.

Birthright citizenship

• Historically, Canadian citizenship has been awarded on a jus soli basis. That is, the child must be born in Canada. However, there have been exceptions to this rule.

• For example, children of foreign diplomats are often not granted citizenship. In addition, expectant parents may be compelled to move to Canada to give birth.

• The federal government has been considering the removal of birthright citizenship. A formal recommendation from immigration officials asked for the change. It would require a new process for granting of Canadian citizenship. The federal government may decide to model the change on other countries. However, this would be costly for Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

• Currently, Canada's citizenship requirements can be met with the aid of a birth certificate, which is issued by provinces. However, there is nothing in the federal government's database that indicates the extent of birth tourism in Canada.

• A recent survey found that a whopping 66 per cent of Canadians think birthright citizenship made sense at one point. Moreover, nearly half of Canadians would maintain the current rules.

Citizenship by descent

• Obtaining Canadian citizenship is an important step in securing the rights of natural-born Canadians. This includes the right to vote, stand for office in provincial legislative assemblies, and serve on a jury. The citizenship law details the conditions for obtaining citizenship.

• Canadian citizenship by birth (also called Canadian citizenship by descent) is available to anyone born outside Canada to a Canadian citizen. It includes children of diplomats and children of Canadian citizens who are living abroad. The number of Canadian citizens by birth born abroad is relatively small. It represents 0.9% of Canada's total population.

• However, it is important to remember that Canadian citizenship by descent is not an automatic right. To obtain Canadian citizenship, a person must demonstrate knowledge of Canadian laws and culture. A person must also show they are a permanent resident of Canada. Permanent residents must live in Canada for at least three out of five years. The applicant must also demonstrate proficiency in French or English.

Proof of residency documentation

• Obtaining proof of residency documentation is an important requirement if you want to become a Canadian citizen. This is because you are required to prove you have been living in Canada for a certain amount of time, or you may not qualify for citizenship.

• For example, you may be required to show that you have been living in Canada for at least three years out of the last five. This could be done through proof of documents, such as your birth certificate, or through proof of your residency. The proof of residency documents you use should be dated within the last 90 days.

• You can also prove your residency by providing proof of your current address. This type of document is different from other forms of ID, such as a passport or driver's licence. You must be able to show your current residential address and full legal name.

Fees and processing times

• Applicants for Canadian citizenship have to pay application fees and fees to process their application. The fees are calculated based on the number of family members accompanying the primary applicant. The fees vary from province to province and also depend on the type of visa the applicant is applying for.

• Fees and processing times are estimated by the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Department. This government agency sets the standard for government processing fees. They also provide more information on federal immigration fees.

• Citizenship applications are expected to take an average of 12 months to process. The processing time depends on the speed of verification. The government also has committed to reduce the number of citizenship applications waiting to be processed to less than 12 months within the next fiscal year.

• Citizenship applications can be submitted through a paper application or through an online form. An online application will contact applicants via email. The online form also allows applicants to upload additional documents.