Abasiakan DennyCanada offers individuals the privilege of dual citizenship. You can obtain Canadian citizenship alongside that of your home country. If your home country permits dual citizenship, you can apply for dual citizenship in Canada. As a holder of dual citizenship in Canada, you’ll enjoy the same privileges as domestic citizens. Applying for dual citizenship can be complex. The following key steps are invaluable in your application for dual citizenship.
Confirm your Eligibility
The starting point for a dual citizenship application in Canada is to ensure you meet eligibility requirements. The following criteria are critical for applying for dual citizenship:
- You must be present in the country for at least 1,095 days (3 years) within five years before you start the application. You must know, however, that time spent during temporary residency or student is taken as half days.
- Prospective applicants must have tax compliance for at least 3 years within the 5 years of your application.
- Applying for Canadian citizenship requires proficiency in English or French. You must have a valid IELTS, CELPIP or TOEFL for English and TEF for French.
- Also, ensure you don’t have criminal records or have committed immigration fraud.
Gather the Required Documents
Applying for dual citizenship requires documents. Prepare all your documents and ensure that they are original. The following documents are critical for Canadian dual citizenship:
- Travel documents, e.g. valid passport(s)
- Two pieces of government-issued identity card, e.g. driver’s license
- Proof of residence such as rental receipts, utility bills, employment records, etc
- Proof of language proficiency, e.g. IELTS or TOEFL for English and TEF for French.
- Two identical signed and stamped citizenship photos.
Pay the Application Fee
The application fee covers two main areas. The application fee is CAD 630, CAD 530 is paid for processing and CAD 100 is for the right of citizenship fee. Note, however, that the visa processing fee is non-refundable. For applicants aged 18+, the rights of citizenship fee is required. To pay the application fee, visit the IRCC Payment Portal and navigate to citizenship and citizenship for adults (18+).
Submit your Application
Complete and submit the application forms. Some important forms include CIT 0002 for adult citizenship, CIT 0407 tax consent form and CIT 0002 (documents checklist). Fill out all fields. Failure to complete all fields in the form may lead to delay or denial of citizenship. Ensure the forms are obtained from the official office. Apply online via the Citizenship Application Package
Attend the Citizenship Test and Interview
Once your application has met the criteria, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will invite you to an interview and test. The citizenship test evaluates your understanding of Canada’s history, values, institutions, laws, etc. The test is either written in French or English and taken within 30 minutes. You must score 75% to pass the test. The results of the online test are given immediately after submitting the test. If you pass the test, you’ll proceed to the interview. You’ll be retested in 4-8 weeks if you score below the passing score.
Take the Oath of Citizenship
Once you are successful at the interview, you will be notified via email for the citizenship ceremony. At the ceremony, you’ll recite the oath of citizenship and celebrate with other citizens. Attend the citizenship with the following documents: original permanent resident (PR) card,government-issued identity card, official invitation for citizenship ceremony, passports and travel documents, etc. After taking the oath of citizenship, proceed to apply for a Canadian passport.
Dual citizenship in Canada comes with exciting opportunities. I know the processes can be daunting, but by following the guide above, you will have a seamless application for your Canadian citizenship. Begin your journey today!
