Canadian Citizenship
There are numerous advantages to holding Canadian citizenship. Becoming a Canadian citizen comes with benefits that are not available to permanent residents, such as: access to restricted jobs; the right to vote and run for political office; and the ability to travel to over 170 countries without visa. Canadian citizens also have the security of holding a status that is not easy to lose or relinquish.
There are two categories under which a person can apply for Canadian citizenship, Canadian Citizenship by Birth, and Canadian citizenship by Naturalization.
Today, Canada is one of a few “developed countries in the world” that offers unconditional citizenship to children born in the territory.
If a child is born in Canada, the child receives Canadian citizenship. Even in a situation, when a child is born to parents who are not Canadian citizens, the child automatically becomes a Canadian Citizen.
Can a visitor give birth in Canada?
Yes. Non-residents of Canada may come to Canada to deliver a child.
Can a mother willing to come to Canada be denied a Canadian visa because of her intention to deliver a baby on a Canadian soil?
No. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada clearly states that the assessment process of the applicant for Canadian visa who is a pregnant woman should be based only on the applicant’s income, admissibility factors and establishment in the country of origin.
Is it allowed for a father of the child to visit a newborn in a hospital after a birth?
Yes. Father and any other relatives are allowed to visit mother and the child at hospitals.
Can a child born in Canada become a Canadian permanent resident or citizen?
Yes. Every child born in Canada becomes a Canadian citizen, even if both parents are foreign nationals (citizens of another country than Canada).
What is the cost?
The selection of a hospital and other client preferences may cause the cost of the natural birth and hospital stay to vary. We leave the choice to our clients, providing exhaustive information for decision-making and budget-planning.
Please feel free to Contact Us for more details.
Naturalization is a process of granting Canadian citizenship to an eligible permanent residence of Canada.
Requirements for Canadian Citizenship
As with all Canadian immigration programs, permanent residents must meet a specific set of requirements to be deemed eligible to apply for citizenship. Among other requirements, applicants will also need to provide proof that they have been living in Canada for three years (1,095 days) out of the five years that precede their signed application.
Applying for Citizenship
Following amendments to the Citizen Act which came into effect in late 2017, Canadian permanent residents can now expect a faster, easier citizenship application process. Applicants between 18 and 54 years of age are required to write a citizenship test, which tests the applicant’s knowledge of Canadian history, geography, political process, and the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship, and may be asked to undergo an interview before a citizenship judge, if requested by IRCC. Once approved, applicants will attend a Citizenship Ceremony to take the Oath of Citizenship, where they will officially become a Canadian citizen.
Language Requirements
In order to prove language proficiency, applicants must submit one of the following documents:
- Results from an approved third party test; or
- Transcripts or a diploma from a secondary or post-secondary education in English or French; or
- Evidence of achieving Canadian Level Benchmark (CLB) 4 or higher in certain government language programs.
Dual Citizenship
As Canada recognizes dual citizenship, you will not be required to relinquish your natural citizenship once your application has been approved by IRCC.
Rights and Responsibilities
Once a permanent resident has been granted Canadian citizenship, they are entitled to the same rights and responsibilities of a natural Canadian citizen. Though permanent residents share many of the same rights as that of a citizen, the most notable differences would be the right to vote in federal, provincial, and municipal Canadian elections, and the elimination of residency obligations.
If you have questions or concerns relating to citizenship please feel free to Contact Us, and let our experts help you.
