Canadian Citizenship

Did you know Canada’s passport has been ranked the 8th most powerful passport in the world? 

Canadian passport holders can travel visa-free to over 185 countries in the world.

Apart from this, Canada allows dual citizenship meaning that you can become a Canadian citizen while being a citizen and passport holder of another country.

To apply for a Canadian passport, you must first be a Canadian citizen. We will further explore the eligibility requirements and the process of becoming a Canadian citizen on this page.

How to Become a Canadian Citizen?

To become a Canadian citizen, you must meet specific requirements and eligibility criteria such as:

In addition to the requirements mentioned above, you must have filed your income taxes for each required year, pass the citizenship test and not be prohibited from becoming a Canadian citizen. 

** Individuals over the age of 55 and under the age of 18 are exempt from meeting the language proficiency requirements and passing the citizenship test. 

Citizenship Prohibitions

To become a Canadian citizen, you must have a clean criminal record. You may not be eligible to become a Canadian citizen if:

** Having a criminal background does not necessary prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen. Depending on your situation and criminal record, you may have different options and we suggest you to seek legal consultation before applying for your Canadian citizenship. 

Physical Presence in Canada

One of the main requirements that you need to meet for becoming a Canadian citizen is to have been physically present in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) during the past five years.

Before applying for your citizenship, we suggest you calculate the days you lived in Canada to ensure you are eligible to apply. 

Your time spent in Canada before being a permanent resident may be included in this calculation. 

During the past five years, if you lived in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person, those days will be counted as one half day and can be used in your calculation. 

Language Test

As part of the requirements to apply for your Canadian citizenship, you must prove that you meet the English or French proficiency requirements which is currently the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 or higher.

** This requirement only applies to individuals between the age of 18 and 54. 

Proof of proficiency in the English or French language, include:

Frequently Asked Questions

Canadian Citizenship FAQ

Can I apply for citizenship if my permanent resident (PR) card has expired?

Yes, you can apply for your Canadian citizenship even if your PR card has expired (you must still meet the other eligibility requirements). 

You still have your permanent residency status even if your PR card has expired.

Can I become a Canadian citizen through marriage?

No. You cannot acquire Canadian citizenship by marrying a Canadian.

However, if your spouse is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, you may be sponsored for becoming permanent resident. 

What are the fees to apply for Canadian citizenship?

The citizenship application fee for adults is currently $630 and for minors it is $100. 

Is there a chance that my citizenship application gets refused?

In all immigration and citizenship applications there is always a chance that your application gets refused. There is no guarantee that your application gets approved. 

If your citizenship application gets refused, you may submit a new application if you meet the requirements.

Moshiri Immigration

How Can We Help

Canadian immigration and citizenship laws can be complex and challenging. At Moshiri Immigration, our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) specialize in Canadian immigration law. We have successfully handled many citizenship applications, and we can help you too! 

Our years of experience allow us to provide practical and straightforward advice, ensuring you get the results you want. From the moment you become a client at Moshiri Immigration, we guarantee that your case will be handled with the utmost professionalism and personal attention.

We offer free case evaluations to understand your case and ensure you know your available options. This would allow you to make an informed decision before applying for any type of visa or immigration program.