Canadian Citizenship Consultant

Becoming a Canadian Citizen

Obtaining Canadian citizenship is the ultimate goal for many immigrants. As a Canadian citizen, you have the right to vote, run for political office, and hold a Canadian passport—one of the most powerful passports in the world. Best of Canada recognizes dual citizenship, meaning you may not have to give up your current citizenship to become Canadian.

To transition from a Permanent Resident to a Citizen, you must meet strict residency, language, and knowledge requirements.

The Physical Presence Requirement

The most critical requirement for citizenship is demonstrating that you have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) out of the 5 years immediately before you apply. You must meticulously track all travel outside of Canada, including day trips to the United States. Miscalculating your days is the most common reason citizenship applications are returned or refused.

• Time as a Temporary Resident: If you lived in Canada as a student or worker before becoming a PR, every day counts as a half-day, up to a maximum of 365 days.
• Time outside Canada: Generally, time outside Canada does not count towards the 1,095 days, except in rare circumstances (such as accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse employed by the Crown).

Language and Knowledge Requirements

If you are between 18 and 54 years of age on the day you sign your application, you must meet two additional requirements:

1. Language Skills

You must prove you can speak and listen in English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level 4 or higher. You can prove this through a third-party language test (like CELPIP or IELTS), a diploma from a secondary or post-secondary school in English or French, or completion of a LINC program.

2. Citizenship Test

You must pass a test to show you have adequate knowledge of Canada’s history, geography, government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The test is based on the official study guide, Discover Canada, and you must score at least 15 out of 20 to pass.

Income Tax Filing

Canada requires that you have met your personal income tax filing obligations in at least 3 tax years that are fully or partially within the 5 years right before you apply.

Why Choose Uni Connect for Your Citizenship Application?

Applying for citizenship involves compiling a complex timeline of your life over the past 5 years. Any discrepancies in your employment history, address history, or travel history can trigger a Residency Questionnaire (RQ), which can delay your application by years. We prepare airtight applications, cross-referencing your passport stamps and tax documents to ensure smooth processing.