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Citizenship Applications

Our team of citizenship experts can help you determine if you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship, assist you with your citizenship application, and advise you on the steps you should take to obtain Canadian citizenship.

How to Become a Canadian Citizen

Anyone who is born in Canada is automatically a Canadian citizen. However, people seeking to acquire Canadian citizenship can do so in a number of ways. In certain situations, a person who was not born in Canada can apply for a certificate of citizenship showing that he or she derived citizenship at birth from a Canadian citizen living abroad.

Children born to Canadian parents in the first generation outside Canada can only be Canadian citizens at birth if one parent was born in Canada or one parent became a citizen by immigrating and was later granted citizenship (naturalization).

Ways to Obtain Canadian Citizenship

Citizenship by Birth

Anyone who is born in Canada is automatically a Canadian citizen.

This is the most straightforward path to Canadian citizenship.

Citizenship by Descent

People seeking to acquire Canadian citizenship can do so through descent from Canadian parents.

Children born to Canadian parents in the first generation outside Canada can only be Canadian citizens at birth if one parent was born in Canada or one parent became a citizen by immigrating and was later granted citizenship (naturalization).

Citizenship by Naturalization

Permanent residents can apply for Canadian citizenship through the naturalization process.

This requires meeting residency obligations, language requirements, and passing citizenship tests.

Citizenship Requirements and Information

Canadian Citizenship Requirements

As a general rule, individuals who are applying for Canadian citizenship must meet the following requirements:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Be a permanent resident of Canada
  • Meet residency obligations (reside in Canada for 1095 days within last 1460 days – three out of four years)
  • Meet language requirement (be able to understand and speak basic English or French)
  • Meet knowledge about Canada requirement (Canada's history, geography, government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship)
  • Must not be involved in an immigration investigation, inquiry or a removal order

Children Under 18 Requirements

If the applicant is a child under the age of 18, different requirements apply:

  • Must be a permanent resident
  • It is not necessary that the child lived in Canada for three years
  • One of the parents must be already a Canadian citizen or is in the process of applying to become a citizen
  • This applies to adoptive parents also
  • Language and knowledge requirements do not apply to children

Age Exemptions

Certain age groups are exempt from specific requirements:

  • Persons 55 years of age and over are exempt from language requirements
  • Persons 55 years of age and over are exempt from knowledge about Canada requirements
  • Children under 18 are exempt from language and knowledge requirements

Prohibitions - Criminal History

There are prohibitions on an individual applying for Canadian citizenship if criminal history is present:

  • In the three years prior to applying, one has been convicted of a criminal offence under the Citizenship Act
  • Is presently accused of a criminal offence under the Citizenship Act
  • Is currently, or has been in the last 4 years, in prison, parole, or probation
  • Has been asked by Canadian officials to leave Canada (under removal order)
  • Is being investigated for, accused of, or convicted of a war crime or a crime against humanity
  • Has had their Canadian citizenship removed in the past five years

Additional Citizenship Services

Summit Immigration Group handles all citizenship matters for our clients that also include citizenship refusals, citizenship revocation, passport refusals and passport applications. Schedule a consultation with our Citizenship and Immigration specialist anytime.

Citizenship Appeals

We help with citizenship refusals and appeals to ensure your rights are protected.

Passport Services

Assistance with passport applications and handling passport refusals.

Ready to Apply for Canadian Citizenship?

Reach out to Summit Immigration Group today and let our citizenship experts help you with your application.