Becoming a Canadian citizen: Who can apply

To be eligible to become a Canadian citizen, you must meet the requirements in a

ll of the following areas:
* Age
* Permanent resident status
* Time lived in Canada
* Language abilities
* Criminal history (prohibitions)
* Knowledge of Canada
Age
You must be at least 18 years old to apply for Canadian citizenship.
To apply for citizenship for a child under 18, make sure the following condition
s are met:
* the person applying is the childâ s parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian
* the child is a permanent resident, but does not need to have lived in Cana
da for three years and
* one parent is already a Canadian citizen or is applying to become a citize
n at the same time. This also applies to adoptive parents.
Permanent resident status
To become a Canadian citizen, you must have permanent resident status in Canada,
and that status must not be in doubt. This means you must not be the subject of
an immigration investigation, an immigration inquiry or a removal order (an ord
er from Canadian officials to leave Canada).
Time lived in Canada
To become Canadian citizens, adults must have lived in Canada for at least three
years (1,095 days) in the past four years before applying. Children do not need
to meet this requirement.
You may be able to count time you spent in Canada before you became a permanent
resident if that time falls within the four-year period.
Use the citizenship calculator to find out if you have lived in Canada long enou
gh to apply for citizenship.
Language abilities
Canada has two official languagesâ English and French. You need to have adequate kn
owledge of one of these two languages. You must know enough English or French to
understand other people and for them to understand you.
Criminal history (prohibitions)
You cannot become a citizen if you:
* have been convicted of an indictable (criminal) offence or an offence unde
r the Citizenship Act in the three years before you apply
* are currently charged with an indictable offence or an offence under the C
itizenship Act
* are in prison, on parole or on probation
* are under a removal order (have been ordered by Canadian officials to leav
e Canada)
* are under investigation for, are charged with, or have been convicted of a
war crime or a crime against humanity or
 * have had your Canadian citizenship taken away in the past five years.
If you are on probation or are charged with an offence and are awaiting trial, y
ou should wait until after the probation has ended or the trial is over to apply
for citizenship.
If you have spent time on probation, on parole or in prison in the last four yea
rs, you may not meet the residence requirement for citizenship.
Time in prison or on parole does not count as residence in Canada. Time on proba
tion also does not count as residence in Canada if you were convicted of an offe
nce. If you have spent time on probation from a conditional discharge, it may be
counted toward residence. For details, contact the Call Centre.
Knowledge of Canada
To become a citizen, you must understand the rights and responsibilities of citi
zenship, such as the right and responsibility to vote in elections. You must als
o have an understanding of Canadaâ s history, values, institutions and symbols.
The information you need to know is in our free study guide Discover Canada: The
Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. We will send you a copy of it once
we have received your application. The questions in the citizenship test are bas
ed on the information in this guide.

Study in Canada FAQ

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1. How do I obtain a Study Permit for Canada?
Foreign/International Students who are not from visa exempt countries must apply
to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for a Study Permit once they have r
eceived an acceptance letter from a qualified Canadian academic institution. Stu
dents will have to show that they have sufficient funds to study and live in Can
ada, and in some cases undergo Medical Examinations and provide Police Clearance
Certificates.
2. What if I want to Study in Quebec?
Foreign/International Students who have been accepted into a qualifying educatio
nal institution in Quebec must obtain approval from the immigration authorities
of the Province of Quebec in addition to their Study Permit.
3. How long is my Study Permit valid for?
A Study Permit is valid for the duration of your study program. Should you need
to extend the validity of your Study Permit, you must file an Application to Cha
nge the Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada with Citizenship and Immigratio
n Canada.
4. Can I work while Studying in Canada?
Yes, with certain conditions. Foreign/International Students holding a valid Stu
dy Permit may work on the campus of their educational institution without a Work
Permit. However, in order to work off the campus, they must apply to CIC for an
Off-Campus Work Permit.
5. What is an Off-Campus Work Permit?
An Off-Campus Work Permit allows Foreign/International Students to be employed o
ff the campus of the educational institution they are attending in Canada.
6. Who is eligible for an Off-Campus Work Permit?
Foreign/International Students with valid Study Permits who are registered in a
participating educational institution are eligible for Off-Campus Work Permits,
if they are in good academic standing at that institution. In addition, students
must have been studying full-time for six months out of the year preceding thei
r application for an Off-Campus Work Permit.
7. How do I know if my institution is participating in the program?
A list of participating institutions can be found at the CIC website, at the fol
lowing link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/institutions/participants.asp
8. What is satisfactory academic standing?
Satisfactory Academic Standing is determined differently by each academic instit
ution. Students must make sure that they meet the requirements for satisfactory
academic standing at the institution they are currently studying at.
9. Who is not eligible for an Off-Campus Work Permit?
Foreign/International Students who are receiving awards or scholarships from Can
adaâ s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade or from the Canadian I
nternational Development Agency are not eligible for an Off-Campus Work Permit.
Students participating in the Canada-China Scholars Exchanges Program, in the Or
ganization of American States Fellowships Program Exchange or in the Equal Oppor
tunity Scholarship Program, Canada-Chile may not apply for an Off-Campus Work Pe
rmit. Visiting students are also ineligible, as well as students who are registe
red in English or French as a Foreign Language programs, even if they are enroll
ed in participating institutions.

Find Answers to all your Canada Immigration Questions.

For ease of use, we have divided our Canada Immigration FAQ in two sections: Gen
eral, which provides answers to Canada immigration questions relevant to all Can
ada immigration categories; and Specific, which provides answers to Canada immig
ration questions relevant to particular Canada immigration categories.
General Canada Immigration Questions
1. Introduction to Canada Immigration
* What is a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa?
* How is a Work Permit different from a Canada Immigration Visa?
* Can I apply for Permanent Resident status and temporary status (Work
Permit/Study Permit/Temporary Resident Visa) at the same time?
* Is my immigration status relevant for Canada Immigration purposes?
* I have heard that Canada Immigration Regulations will be changing. H
ow will I be affected?
* Is there a benefit to using an attorney for immigration to Canada?
* How do I retain Campbell, Cohen to represent me for Canada Immigrati
on purposes?
2. Eligibility and Qualifications
* Who qualifies for a Canada Immigration Visa?
* Who can I include in my application for a Canada Immigration Visa?
* Are there special immigration procedures for different provinces in
Canada?
* How do I find out if I qualify for immigration to Canada?
3. Canadian Government Fees and Application Costs
* Does the Canadian government charge a fee for submitting a Canadian
Immigration Application?
* When do I pay Canadian government fees?
* In what currency must I pay the Canadian government fees?
* What is the Right of Permanent Resident Fee (RPRF)?
* If I am already in Canada, do I still have to pay the Right of Perma
nent Resident Fee?
* Are there any other fees or costs associated with the Canadian Immig
ration application process?
4. Canadian Immigration Application Process
* Where can my application for a Canada Immigration Visa be submitted?
* What documents should be submitted in support of my application for
Permanent Residence in Canada?
* When must I submit the supporting documentation?
* In what language must my supporting documentation be submitted?
* Can my file be transferred from one Canadian Immigration Visa Office
to another?
* How long does the Canadian Immigration application process take?
* What is meant by the "locked-in" date?
5. Medical Examinations
* Will I have to take a medical exam?
* How long are medical examinations valid for?
* Will my application be rejected if I have a certain disease or disor
der?
* Which medical conditions may cause me to be inadmissible to Canada?
* Are there any exceptions made for medically inadmissible dependents?
* If I am pregnant, will I still have to undergo the medical examinati
on?
* Can my dependents undergo the medical examination in another country
?
* Will my non-accompanying dependents be required to complete medical
examinations?
* Recently, I completed medical examinations for my Canadian Temporary
Resident Visa/Work Permit/Study Permit. Must I complete additional medical exam
s for my permanent resident application?
6. Security Clearance
* What is a Police Certificate?
* When must I submit the Police Certificate?
* How do I obtain a Police Clearance Certificate?
* Can I omit a Police Certificate from one or more countries?
* What is a background clearance?
* What kind of criminal history would cause me to be inadmissible to C
anada?
* What is criminality?
* What is serious criminality?
* What is a hybrid offence?
* May I still enter Canada if I am criminally inadmissible?
* How do I qualify for deemed rehabilitation?
* How do I qualify for individual rehabilitation?
* If I cannot qualify for rehabilitation, are there any other options
available if I need to enter Canada with a criminally inadmissible record?
7. Work in Canada
* Is a job offer required to immigrate to Canada under the Skilled Wor
ker/ Professional category?
* What is a "job offer" within the context of Canadian immigration?
* Are there different types of job offers that a Canadian employer can
make?
 * Can I apply for a Temporary Work Permit and a Canada Immigration (Pe
rmanent Resident) Visa?
* What are the advantages of obtaining a permanent job offer from a Ca
nadian employer?
* What are the advantages of obtaining a temporary job offer from a Ca
nadian employer?
* Is there any disadvantage to obtaining a Canadian job offer?
* Is it difficult to find a good job in Canada?
* What services do you provide to help me find work in Canada?
8. Study in Canada
* How do I obtain a Study Permit for Canada?
* What if I want to study in Quebec?
* How long is my Study Permit valid for?
* Can I work while studying in Canada?
* What is an Off-Campus Work Permit?
* Who is eligible for an Off-Campus Work Permit?
* How do I know if my institution is participating in the program?
* What is satisfactory academic standing?
* Who is not eligible for an Off-Campus Work Permit?
9. Landing in Canada as a Permanent Resident
* Do I become a Permanent Resident of Canada as soon as my Canada Immi
gration Visa is issued?
* How long can I wait to come to Canada after my Canada Immigration Vi
sa is issued?
* Can the expiry date on my Canadian Canada Immigration Visa be extend
ed?
* Must I first enter Canada at the destination I indicated on my appli
cation form?
* What documents do I need with me when I first land Canada?
* When must my accompanying dependents land Canada?
10. After Landing in Canada as a Permanent Resident
* Must I stay in Canada after landing in Canada as a Permanent Residen
t?
* What is the Canadian Permanent Resident Card?
* When can Canadian Citizenship be obtained?
* Does Permanent Residence status in Canada permit me to enter/work in
the US?
* What is the job-market like in Canada?
11. Settlement in Canada
* When I arrive in Canada, are there any services to help me?
* How do I obtain Health Care?
* What do I need to do to start working in Canada?
* How do I become a Canadian Citizen?
* I do not know where to live in Canada. Where do I start?
* What do I need to have prepared when I arrive in Canada?
* Can I bring my family pet with me to Canada?
* Can I bring my car into Canada?
* I have school aged children, how do I send them to school?
12. Obtaining Canadian Citizenship
* When am I eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship?
* Do I have to apply for Canadian Citizenship as soon as I am eligible
?
* What are some of the advantages of obtaining Canadian Citizenship?
* Will my time in Canada before becoming a Permanent Resident count to
wards my Citizenship application?
 * Will time spent absent from Canada be counted towards my Citizenship
application?
* Will Canadian Citizenship make me eligible to work in the US, Mexico
, or Chile?
* Does Canada recognize dual citizenship?
* As a Canadian citizen, must I pay Canadian income tax on my worldwid
e income?
* I was a Canadian citizen as a child, but have not lived in Canada fo
r many years. Do I still qualify as a citizen?
* I had my Canadian citizenship revoked. How do I obtain a new citize
nship?
* I no longer wish to hold my Canadian citizenship. What do I have to
do?
Specific Canada Immigration Questions
1. Federal Skilled Workers (Professionals)
* Do I qualify for a Canada Immigration Visa under the Skilled Worker
category?
* Can I still qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker if I do not have wor
k experience in the 38 qualifying occupations?
* Can you assess my eligibility under the Skilled Worker category?
* May I qualify under the Skilled Worker category even if I score less
than 67 points?
* May I be refused under the Skilled Worker category even if I score m
ore than 67 points?
* Can the Skilled Worker category pass mark change?
* What happens if the pass mark changes before I receive my Canada Imm
igration Visa?
* Under the Skilled Worker category, what does an Application for Perm
anent Residence in Canada consist of?
* What documents must be included in support of my Application under t
he Skilled Worker category?
* Under the Skilled Worker category, when must I submit my supporting
documents?
* Under the Skilled Worker category, who may be included in my Applica
tion?
* Under the Skilled Worker category, can I submit my Application insid
e Canada?
* Can my file be transferred from one Canadian Immigration Office to a
nother?
* Is work experience a requirement?
* Does my work experience have to be related to my education in order
to be recognized?
* Is credit given for experience gained during post-secondary studies?
* Must I have a Canadian offer of employment to qualify as a Skilled W
orker?
* Must my work experience have been accumulated continuously on a full
-time basis?
* Will my application benefit if I have a close relative in Canada?
* Will I be interviewed by a Citizenship and Immigration Canada Office
r?
* What is a security interview?
* Is there anything I can do to obtain an interview waiver?
2. Provincial Nomination Program
* What is the Provincial Nomination Program?
* Which Provinces participate in the Provincial Nomination Program?
* Is the Province of Quebec part of the Provincial Nomination Program?
* Is Provincial Nomination a requirement for Canadian immigration?
 * What is the advantage of obtaining a Provincial Nomination?
* Where and when does an application under the Provincial Nomination P
rogram get submitted?
* Does receiving a Provincial Nomination guarantee a Canada Immigratio
n Visa?
* What criteria do most provinces look for in their Nominees?
* Individual Provincial Nomination Program FAQ's
o Alberta PNP FAQ
o British Columbia PNP FAQ
o Manitoba PNP FAQ
o New Brunswick PNP FAQ
o Newfoundland and Labrador PNP FAQ
o Northwest Territories PNP FAQ
o Nova Scotia PNP FAQ
o Ontario PNP FAQ
o Prince Edward Island PNP FAQ
o Saskatchewan PNP FAQ
o Yukon PNP FAQ
3. Business Immigration
* What is the Business Immigration Program?
* What documents must I provide in support of my application under the
Business Immigration Program?
* Under the Business Immigration Program, am I required to live in a p
articular province?
* How can I qualify under the Immigrant Investor Program?
* How can I prove that my net worth has been lawfully obtained?
* As an Immigrant Investor, will I be obliged to work and/or engage in
business activities in Canada?
* When do I, as an Immigrant Investor, commit my investment amount?
* Will my investment be returned to me if my Immigrant Investor applic
ation is refused?
* What are the main differences between the Federal and Quebec Immigra
nt Investor programs?
* How can I qualify under the Entrepreneur Program?
* Are there conditions attached to a Canada Immigration Visa issued un
der the Entrepreneur Program?
* As an Entrepreneur applicant, is an exploratory visit to Canada nece
ssary?
* As an Entrepreneur applicant, must I submit a detailed business plan
?
* How can I qualify under the Self-Employed Persons Program?
* As a Self-Employed Person, is an exploratory visit to Canada necessa
ry?
* Are there any minimum net worth requirements for Self-Employed Perso
ns?
4. Family Sponsorship
* Who qualifies for a Canada Immigration Visa under the Family Sponsor
ship category?
* Who can be included in the Sponsored person's application for a Cana
da Immigration Visa?
* Who qualifies as a "Dependent Child"?
* Must the dependents of the Sponsored person accompany the Sponsored
person to Canada?
* What financial criteria must be satisfied to qualify as a Sponsor?
* What does "Essential Needs" mean?
* Can the undertaking to provide "Essential Needs" be shared?
* What if the Sponsor does not have the requisite financial ability?
* What other criteria must the Sponsor satisfy?
 * As a Sponsor, what obligations are there toward the Canadian Governm
ent?
* Can the undertaking be revoked or modified?
* What if the Sponsor does not fulfill the terms of the undertaking?
* Are there any other agreements that the Sponsor must enter into?
* What documents must the Sponsor submit?
* What documents must the Sponsored person(s) submit?
* Where is the Sponsorship Application submitted?
* Where is the Sponsored person's part of the application submitted?
* Are there circumstances that may allow a Sponsored person to apply f
rom within Canada?
* Can a Sponsored person work or study in Canada if their application
is being processed in Canada?
* Must Sponsored persons and Sponsors attend interviews with Canadian
Immigration authorities?
* How long will the entire Sponsorship Application process take?
* Can a same-sex partner be sponsored?
5. Canadian Experience Class
* What is the Canadian Experience Class Program?
* How can I qualify under the Canadian Experience Class?
* Can I apply for Permanent Residence under the Canadian Experience Cl
ass if I intend to live in the Province of Quebec?
* Can I still qualify for the Canadian Experience Class if I am tempor
ary resident of Quebec?
* Does my work experience have to be related to my education in order
to be recognized?
* Is it possible for me to qualify under the Canadian Experience Class
without the education requirement?
* Am I eligible to qualify under the Canadian Experience Class despite
having returned to my home country?
* Can I still qualify for the Canadian Experience Class if Iâ ve acquired
a one-year degree or certificate from an approved Canadian post-secondary educa
tional institution?
* Can I submit an application for the Canadian Experience Class even i
f I already have an application for permanent residence active through the skill
ed worker program?
* Are my English or French-as-a-second-language courses counted toward
s my education requirements under the Canadian Experience Class?
6. Quebec Skilled Workers
* What is a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat du Sélection du
Québec?
* How is immigrating to Quebec different than immigrating to the rest
of Canada?
* Why are the requirements different for a CSQ than for a Federal Skil
led Worker application?
* If I donâ t speak French, can I still obtain a CSQ?
* If I qualify as a Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker and obtain a CSQ, d
o I then have to meet the points requirement for the Federal Skilled Worker Prog
ram?
* Who can I include on my CSQ application?
* How can the Law Firm of Campbell, Cohen assist me with a CSQ applica
tion?
7. Refugee Status
* Do I qualify for Refugee Status in Canada?
* Must I have already experienced persecution?
* What are typical examples of Refugee cases that are accepted?
* Can my family members be protected with me?
 * How do I know if my Refugee Claim will be accepted?
* How long do I have to wait until I have a decision?
* What can I do if I am refused?
* Do I have the right to work in Canada while my Refugee Claim is proc
essed?
* Can my children go to school while my Refugee Claim is processed?
* Can I (and my family in Canada) receive medical treatment while my R
efugee Claim is processed?
* Is it true that Canada has closed its borders to Refugees coming fro
m the U.S.A.?
* Can I apply for Refugee protection from outside Canada?
8. Temporary Visas
* What is a Temporary Resident Visa?
* Does everyone planning to visit Canada require a Temporary Resident
Visa?
* Do I need a Study Permit if I plan to study in Canada?
* How do I qualify for a Work Permit to work in Canada?