The process of obtaining Canadian citizenship is the final step in the immigration process. There are several ways to achieve this:
Naturalization: Become a permanent resident and apply for naturalization after meeting all the requirements.
Adoption
Minor children (in two different ways)
Applicant born in Canada
The applicant was born outside of Canada, but one of the parents is a Canadian citizen
Resumption of Canadian citizenship after renunciation
A special grant from the Minister of Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship
Acquisition of nationality by stateless persons
Before you apply for Canadian citizenship, it's important to consider whether you can keep your current nationality. If not, are you willing to give up your current citizenship, and do you fully understand the implications of doing so?
Applying for citizenship may seem straightforward, but there are two sets of laws governing it. The acquisition, renunciation, and resumption of Canadian citizenship are primarily governed by the Citizenship Act, but also by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Many applicants who have undisclosed issues with their previous immigration applications or who have unknowingly violated the rules after obtaining permanent residence are caught when applying for citizenship. As a result, they not only fail to become Canadian citizens, but they also face severe consequences such as having their permanent residency status revoked.
Obtaining Canadian citizenship is the ultimate goal for most people, but there are cases where people have their citizenship revoked. For example, misrepresentation on citizenship applications is subject to different legal requirements than immigration applications (e.g., permanent resident applications, visas, or permits). It is highly recommended to hire a legal professional to address any issues.
Our team has extensive experience handling a wide range of challenging cases and can meet the needs of all types of citizenship applications. Please schedule an appointment to request a consultation or to learn more.