Unlock a world of opportunities with Canadian citizenship!
For numerous individuals who opt to immigrate to Canada as temporary workers, students, or permanent residents, becoming a Canadian citizen is the ultimate aspiration.
Moreover, there are individuals who automatically qualify for citizenship by birth, even if they are born in a different country and have never set foot in Canada.
To clarify, if you were born outside of Canada and had at least one biological or legal parent who was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth, you are eligible for Canadian citizenship.
This eligibility criterion solely applies to direct descendants of Canadian citizens. If one of your parents is a Canadian citizen, you qualify for citizenship, but it doesn’t extend to eligibility if only your grandparents or other extended family members are Canadian.
Remarkably, there is no time constraint on when you can apply for your citizenship certificate, and you can initiate the application process irrespective of whether your parent(s) are deceased or still alive.
How to prove you are eligible for Canadian citizenship
To establish your eligibility for Canadian citizenship, you must complete an application on the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship (IRCC) website. IRCC will request evidence that at least one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth. This eligibility applies to both biological and legal parents.
However, if you were born outside Canada and subsequently adopted by a Canadian citizen, you are not eligible to apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate.
IRCC requires that you prove that at least one of your parents at birth was a Canadian citizen. The department will accept:
- Your parent’s birth certificate
- Your parent’s Canadian citizenship card
- Your parent’s Canadian citizenship certificate
You can conveniently submit the application and all required documents online if your Canadian parent was born in Canada on or after February 15, 1977, or was granted citizenship on or after April 17, 2009. Otherwise, you will need to submit a paper application. Upon receiving your application and the processing fee of $75, an officer will review it to ensure completeness.
Based on the latest information from IRCC, the processing time for applicants is approximately 10 months. Once your application is approved, you will receive a Canadian citizenship certificate from the department.
Benefits of getting your proof of citizenship
Once you get your proof of citizenship, you are eligible for all the services and benefits that all Canadians receive.
Obtaining Canadian citizenship brings a significant advantage—the Canadian Passport. In the latest global passport ranking by Henley and Partners, Canada boasts the 7th strongest passport globally. This coveted status allows Canadian passport holders to explore 185 countries around the world without the need for a visa.
Moreover, Canada permits its citizens to hold more than one passport as a dual citizen. If your home country also allows multiple passports, you can maintain as many passports as you are eligible for, unlocking further opportunities and privileges in your international travels and dealings.