Citizenship Lawyer in Toronto & GTA

Becoming a Canadian citizen can be a long process, but it is worth it! A Canadian passport can allow you into many other countries and being a citizen gives you more rights than being a permanent resident!

Many people choose to apply to be Canadian citizens, including those who have been living here for a long time and children of Canadian citizens born outside of Canada. For more information about the requirements for applying for citizenship in Canada, take a look below.

Requirements for Applicants Over the Age of 18

There are basic requirements for all people applying for citizenship in Canada who are over the age of 18. These are as follows.

• Be 18 years of age
• Have permanent resident status in Canada
• Have resided in Canada for three out of the last five years (1095 days)
• Have filed their taxes

Requirements for Children

For children applying to be citizens in Canada, the requirements are a little different. Requirements include:

• They must be a permanent resident
• They do not need to have lived in Canada for three years
• Their parent, adoptive parent, or legal guardian is already a Canadian citizen or is applying to be

Other Requirements

In addition to the above criteria, you also must meet the language requirements, i.e., you have a basic understanding of and ability to speak English or French, and you have knowledge of Canada. To prove competency in English or French you must pass a language test. Finally, applicants must pass a citizenship test. Anyone over the age of 55 is exempt from the language requirements and do not need to give the citizenship test.

You must ensure you have fulfilled the requirement of living in Canada for 1095 days either as a permanent resident, temporary resident, or protected person in the five years immediately before the date of your application. Each day you were physically present in Canada as an authorized temporary resident or protected person before you became a permanent resident counts as half a day (up to a maximum of 365 days). Also, time spent outside of Canada may count towards these days if you were a Crown Servant or family member of a Crown Servant.

Regarding Criminal History and Citizenship Applications

You cannot become a citizen if you’re prohibited under the Citizenship Act.

For example, if

• You’re in Canada serving a term of imprisonment, on parole or probation.
• You’re charged with, on trial for, or involved in an appeal for an offence (under the Citizenship Act, or an indictable offense in Canada).
• You’ve been convicted of an indictable offence in Canada or an offence under the Citizenship Act, and this conviction took place in the 4 years before you apply
• You’re under a removal order.
• You are being investigated for, accused of, or convicted of one of the following; a war crime or a crime against humanity.
• Have had Canadian citizenship revoked because of fraud in the past ten years.
• You had a citizenship application refused for misrepresentation in the past 5 years.

If you are not sure whether the above situations, or any other situation would prohibit you from applying for Citizenship, contact Jasmin Sandhu to receive advice on your specific case.