What To Know Before Applying For A Canadian Citizenship

Canada is the second-largest country in the world, and the home of the friendliest people you could ever imagine. Who wouldn’t want to start a new life there? 

Like many countries, you need to prove that you will make a great addition. Here are some things you need to be aware of before you apply to make Canada your new home.

Make Sure You’re Not Already A Canadian

Although being born in Canada grants you immediate citizenship, it is not the only way to become a citizen. If one of your parents or your spouse has Canadian citizenship, you may already be recognized as a Canadian citizen.

However, this does not apply if they have renounced their Canadian citizenship or British subject status, or it has been revoked. Every situation is different and will require lots of research on your part to know what your status is.

With that noted, here is what you need to know before applying for your Canadian citizenship.

Find Out If You Meet The Criteria

To be eligible for a Canadian citizen, you must meet the following requirements:

• Know how to speak and write one of Canada’s official languages, English or French
• Be at least 18 years old, or have your parent or legal guardian apply for you
• Have proof of permanent residence and be physically present as a permanent resident for at least 1,460 days (four years) in the six years before the date of your application.

Also Read: Meal Options for Canadians

Get Your Taxes In Order

As part of the proof of residence, you must provide four years worth of your most recent tax returns. To prove the legitimacy of your employment, work with a reputable Canadian tax attorney like canadiantaxamnesty.ca or others in your area.

Do not skip this step! Even if you are under the impression that you can do the job yourself, the paperwork is more complicated than it appears. It is best to hire a trained eye to spot any errors that could jeopardize your application.

What Automatically Disqualifies You

Before you apply, make sure you do not have anything in your record that will prohibit you from becoming a Canadian citizen. There are many reasons for the government to deny your application, such as:

• Committing a crime within four years of your application submission
• Being investigated, charged with, on trial, or convicted of an indictable offense in Canada
• Being on parole, on probation, or serving a sentence in Canada

It is important to note that being imprisoned is not considered permanent residence. It prevents prisoners from using their sentence as time residing in Canada.

Learning About Your New Canadian Life

Be prepared for the changes you will face once you become a citizen. Despite popular belief, it’s not all snow up there – Canada’s climate is highly diverse. So if you are moving in, what you wear will depend on where you plan to reside in.

As for customs, the diverse population is what makes it so welcoming and unique. There is no extreme changes you have to make to be socially accepted; only formal requirements are necessary.

If you are interested in applying and would like more information, we recommend that you complete a formal assessment of your Canadian citizenship status.