Expertise » Immigration » Canadian Citizenship

Canadians are proud of their citizenship and citizenship ceremonies reflect that pride. Canadians value the rights attached to citizenship and accept its responsibilities.

Citizenship means working together with all other Canadians to build a stronger Canada, and making sure our values, dreams and goals are reflected in our institutions, laws and relations with one another.

Canada is a country that:

is free and democratic;
is multicultural;
has two official languages; and
extends equal treatment to all its citizens.

You can apply for Canadian citizenship if you:

are at least 18 years of age;
have been a legal permanent resident in Canada for three out of the previous four years;
can communicate in English or French; and
have knowledge of Canada, including the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

To Become a Canadian Citizen…

You must have lived in Canada for at least 3 years

You must have lived in Canada for at least three years out of the four years right before the day you apply. For example, if you are applying for citizenship on 1 June 2008, CIC will count back to 1 June 2004. The time you spent in Canada BEFORE you became a resident will be counted as half time only if it happened within these four years. All the time you lived in Canada after you became a permanent resident counts as full time.

If you came to Canada on a visa (for example on a student or work visa) before becoming a permanent resident, you may contact a Call Centre to find out when you can apply for citizenship.

You must know English or French

English and French are the official languages of Canada. You must know enough of either language so that you can understand other people and they can understand you. This means you need to be able to speak and understand spoken English or French or be able to read and write in simple English or French.

You must learn about Canada

You must know about the rights and responsibilities that Canadians have, such as the right to vote. You must also know some things about Canada's history and geography, and about the Canadian political system. When your application is received, you will be sent an acknowledgement letter as well as a copy of the free publication A Look at Canada. You should be able to answer questions about all the information in A Look at Canada when you go for your citizenship test.

How to Apply for Citizenship

All applications for Canadian Citizenship are processed by mail at the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Children do not need to have lived in Canada for three years. If you are the parent of a child who is under 18 years of age, you may apply for your child as soon as the child receives permanent resident status. To apply for your child, you must already be a Canadian citizen or be applying to become a citizen.

How long does it take to become a Canadian citizen?

After CIC receives your application, it usually takes several months before you become a Canadian citizen.

Do children have to write a test?

No. Only people between the ages of 18 and 59 have to write a test. If you are 60 or older you do not have to write the test. However, children over 14 must take the Oath of Citizenship and will be invited to the citizenship ceremony.

Can I apply for a child if I am not the natural parent?

If you have adopted a child, you may apply for the child's citizenship when you apply for yourself or any time after you become a citizen. If you are a legal guardian, the natural or adoptive parent must already be a Canadian citizen before you apply for the child.

I am still a citizen of another country. Will I lose that citizenship if I become a Canadian?

A Canadian is allowed to be a citizen of another country as well. Some countries will not let you keep their citizenship if you become a Canadian. You can find this out from a consulate or embassy of your homeland.

Could I be a Canadian citizen and not know it?

In general, if you were born in Canada you are a Canadian citizen. You are also a Canadian if you were born in another country after 15 February 1977 and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen before your birth.

You may be a Canadian if you were born in another country before 15 February 1977 and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth. If you think this applies to you and you require more information, contact a Call Centre.

Dual Citizenship

What is meant by dual citizenship?

Every independent nation makes its own decision as to who its citizens are. You possess dual or multiple citizenship when more than one country recognizes you as its citizen.

Unlike the law in effect in Canada up to 1977, the present Citizenship Act allows a Canadian citizen to acquire foreign nationality without automatically losing Canadian citizenship. Since February 15, 1977, a Canadian citizen may retain Canadian citizenship, unless he or she voluntarily applies to renounce it and a citizenship judge approves the application. The present Act thus makes it possible to have two or more citizenships and allegiances at the same time for an indefinite period.

Consequently, you may have the rights and obligations conferred by each of these countries on its citizens. Whenever you are in a country that recognizes you as a citizen, its laws take priority over the laws of any other country of which you are a citizen. International treaties may, however, allow exceptions to this rule.

A person may have several citizenships at the same time. For example, a person who was born in a country other than Canada, naturalized in Canada, and then naturalized in a third country may be a citizen of all three countries. However, cases of dual citizenship are more common. Although this section deals primarily with dual citizenship, the information contained in it applies equally to persons who are citizens of more than two countries. The terms "dual citizenship" and "dual nationality" are now used interchangeably.

How does dual citizenship occur?

If you, your parents, your grandparents and your spouse, were all born in Canada, and you have not become the citizen of any other country, then you most likely possess only one citizenship – Canadian.

However, if one or more of those persons were born outside Canada, this might result in your having dual citizenship, depending on the laws of both countries concerned. For example, if you were born in Canada and one of your parents or your spouse was born outside Canada, you might be considered a citizen by your parents' or spouse's former homeland, even if you never asked to be one. Dual citizenship occurs because citizenship can be obtained in more than one way: through country of birth, naturalization, parents, and grandparents or, in rare cases, marriage.

Citizenship is a complex matter because of the great variety of citizenship laws throughout the world. Some countries allow dual citizenship while others take away the citizenship of a person who acquires another citizenship. Some do not recognize a person's new citizenship.

The laws that apply to your case are generally the ones in force at the time of the event that affects your citizenship (your birth or marriage or your parents' birth or marriage, for instance). This is why determining your present citizenship status can be a difficult and lengthy process.

Before the Citizenship Act of February 15, 1977, Canadian law limited dual citizenship. It also provided more ways to gain or lose citizenship than does our present law. Canadians who became citizens of another country before that date should check to see if they are still Canadians. Since that date, Canadian law, like the laws of several other countries, has allowed dual citizenship.

Are you a citizen of more than one country?

To find out whether you are or might become a dual citizen, you must contact the officials of each country in question. You will have to provide some information about yourself, such as place and date of birth, citizenship of your parents, immigration details, etc. You may also have to provide similar information about your parents, and possibly your spouse and grandparents.

If you are in Canada and want to find out if you are a citizen of any other country, you should contact the embassy or consulate of that country. (If it has no representatives in Canada, the Protocol Service of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, will direct you to its nearest representatives.)

Dual Citizenship: An Important Issue

Dual citizenship may carry with it certain benefits, but it may bring unexpected difficulties – legal proceedings, taxation and financial responsibilities, military service, denial of emigration, even imprisonment for failure to comply with obligations in one of your countries of citizenship. Accordingly, you should ask yourself these vital questions:

Am I now a dual citizen?
Can I acquire dual citizenship, either by marriage or by naturalization in Canada or in another country?
Is dual citizenship an advantage or a disadvantage for me?
If dual citizenship is a disadvantage, what can I do about it?

Dual Citizenship: Advantage or Disadvantage?

Suppose you learn that you (or a member of your family) have dual citizenship or might acquire it. Would dual citizenship be good for you? Would it have more advantages than disadvantages?

For some people, dual citizenship offers practical advantages, e.g. social security or employment. It may also enhance their feeling of belonging, because they have strong personal ties to more than one country.

However, it is important to realize that there can be difficulties and disadvantages as well. The following paragraphs suggest some consequences of having dual citizenship. In general, the laws that apply to you at any time are the laws of the country in which you are physically present at that time. The laws of a country may provide, for example, that persons residing in the country of their second citizenship may travel only on the passport of their country of residence. Possession of a second passport could result in its being confiscated, or even in a fine.

If a Canadian has legal or other difficulties outside the country, Canadian diplomatic and consular representatives in that country can try to help. However, if the Canadian in difficulty in another country is also a citizen of that country, Canadian officials may be entirely unable to help. That country will be dealing with one of its own citizens, and probably will not welcome "outside interference." Indeed, foreign authorities will definitely consider you as one of their citizens, especially if you choose to travel under their passport. Travelling with a Canadian passport and another country's passport simultaneously might also lead to certain difficulties in a third country.

There may be laws in a country to which a foreign traveller is not subject, but which apply to you as a citizen of that country – for example, restrictions on exit, compulsory military service, and special taxes or financial compensation for services received in the past, including educational costs. There might even be special circumstances relating to you in particular – for example, friends or relatives may be affected by your visiting that country, or there may be legal proceedings pending against you that could begin again if you return.

You might be affected if countries of which you are a citizen are involved in political upheavals or military conflicts.

Even while in Canada, you might be approached with demands that you fulfill certain obligations to another country of which you are legally a citizen.

These are some of the possible drawbacks to dual or multiple citizenships. They might not apply in your case, but it is important for you to be aware of them.

Avoid the Hazards of Dual Citizenship

Suppose you are or might become a dual citizen, and you feel that this could present problems for you, your spouse or your children, or others. You can do a number of things about it.

Before applying for Canadian citizenship, you are advised to find out if you can retain your present citizenship, and if this might cause problems for you or others.

Next, find out if you can renounce the citizenship that you do not wish to retain, and whether renouncing that citizenship will remove the possible hazards. Citizenship cannot be renounced merely by making a personal declaration to this effect. You need to apply to the appropriate authorities of the country concerned and obtain formal approval.

If you are or will become a citizen of another country and are living outside Canada, you may apply to renounce Canadian citizenship through any Canadian Embassy or Consulate abroad. Once you are no longer a Canadian citizen, however, you cannot travel on a Canadian passport or benefit from Canadian assistance outside Canada. Moreover, you cannot return to Canada as a permanent resident without going through immigration procedures.

Above all, avoid travelling to a country of which you are a citizen if it is likely to cause you difficulty.

Confirm Your Citizenship Status

Citizenship laws are complicated. Do not assume that what applies to your friends and relatives will apply to you as well, even though your circumstances may be similar. Be certain about your own citizenship status. Seek information from the officials of every country of which you may be a citizen. Start with a Call Centre in Canada or a Canadian Embassy or Consulate abroad – advice and guidance are free, and Canadian officials will be glad to give you information or tell you where it may be obtained.

Rights & Responsibilities

Canadian citizenship carries both rights and responsibilities. The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Canadians are established in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and provincial human rights codes.

Some rights are essential for Canadian citizens, they include:

equality rights
democratic rights (the right to vote)
legal rights
mobility rights
language rights
freedom of religion
freedom of expression
freedom of assembly and association

Canadian citizens have the right to earn a living and reside in any province or territory of Canada. Canadian Citizens have the right to apply for a Canadian passport and to return to Canada at any time after travelling or living abroad.

Canadian citizenship also implies the following responsibilities:

obey Canada's laws;
participate in democratic processes (in federal and provincial governments);
respect the rights and freedoms of others;
to discourage discrimination and injustice;
to respect public and private property; and
respect Canada's linguistic duality and multicultural heritage.

The section on “Rights and Responsibilities” in Government & Law can give you more information.

How to vote? See Elections Canada.

Want to apply for a Canadian passport? The Passport Office is not part of CIC, but can be found under the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Proof of Canadian Citizenship

If you are a Canadian citizen, you may be required to prove your citizenship if you want to vote, apply for a Canadian passport, return to Canada from abroad or apply for certain jobs. If you want to run for Parliament, for example, you must first show that you are a Canadian citizen. In order to do this, you must have some form of proper official documentation.

The following are examples of instances during which you may be asked to show that you are a Canadian citizen:

if you want to vote in federal or provincial elections, or run for public office at the federal or provincial level;
if you want to apply for a Canadian passport;
if you want to re-enter Canada after travelling abroad;
if you want to apply for certain public service, business or professional positions.

In each of these cases, a citizenship certificate would prove useful. The certificate is an official document that can offer definitive, legal proof of your status as a Canadian citizen. If you are already a citizen and do not have one, why not consider applying for one?

What is a citizenship certificate and why is it necessary?

The citizenship certificate is a wallet-sized document, covered in plastic, which certifies that you are a Canadian. It also acts as identification, showing your picture and a sample of your signature, as well as stating your name, date of birth, height and sex. It is an official document that is issued by the Government of Canada.

The document can be used as definitive proof of your citizenship status when applying for jobs, passports, etc. It can also be used in certain circumstances when you travel. The citizenship certificate is currently accepted in North America as documentary evidence of your right to be re-admitted to Canada. When travelling outside of Canada most countries (except for a few Caribbean islands) require a Canadian visitor to be in possession of a valid Canadian passport. When you travel it is advisable to carry both a citizenship certificate and a Canadian passport.

Who is eligible to obtain a citizenship certificate?

Any Canadian citizen is entitled to apply for a citizenship certificate. Naturalized Canadians automatically receive the document when they are granted their citizenship. Virtually all people born in this country are considered to be Canadian citizens. Likewise, anyone born to a Canadian parent is considered to be a Canadian citizen.

How to Apply for a Citizenship Certificate

If you live in Canada, you can obtain an application kit by calling a CIC Call Centre. The kit you need is the Application for a Citizenship Certificate from Inside Canada.

If you live outside of Canada, you should contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate. The kit you need is the Application for a Citizenship Certificate from Outside Canada.

The application form will ask you to provide certain information and certain specific documents. If you are applying for your first citizenship certificate, you must include original documents or certified copies. If, however, you are applying to replace your certificate, you can send photocopies. If supporting documents are not in English or French, the applicant must provide a translation and an affidavit from the translator. This affidavit is a legal statement of fact and must by witnessed by a person authorized to attest affidavits (such as a lawyer).

There is a fee accompanying the application. The amount of the fee is stated in the application kit or in a separate notice from a Canadian embassy or consulate abroad. Payment must be included with your application form. It is not refundable.

Once you have filled out your application, and made sure that it is signed and dated, you can put it in the envelope provided and mail it to the CIC Case Processing Centre in Sydney, NS. If you are outside Canada, the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate will be pleased to assist you. The information you provide on your application is considered confidential.

If you fail to fill in relevant sections of the application, forget to sign the document or do not include the processing fee, the application will be returned to you. You will be instructed at that time about what the problem with the application was. You should take appropriate action and then return the application to the Case Processing Centre.

More Information

For more information about Canadian citizenship contact a Call Centre, if you are in Canada or follow this link for more information about citizenship fees and charges.

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