Canada has one of the highest percentages of immigrants who become citizens. Then again, who wouldn’t want to be a proud holder of a Canadian passport? You get to travel to 68 countries visa-free and vote in elections because you have a right to have a say in the future of your new home country!
Becoming a Canadian citizen in 2021 is a special occasion that’s commemorated with a virtual ceremony during which you take the Oath of Citizenship and get your citizenship certificate. All in-person ceremonies are canceled due to COVID-19 or until further notice. Find out how to take this one final step to enjoying life in Canada as a citizen.
What You Want to Know About Canadian Citizenship
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Canadian Citizen?
The good news is that applying for citizenship in Canada is a walk in the park compared to earning permanent residency. For starters, there is a lot less documentation involved and it’s much easier to qualify too. In fact, it’s all just a matter of time really. Unlike many other countries, Canada has a short naturalization period of just three years and even shorter for certain residents who qualify for a loophole we discuss in question five below.
Here are the main requirements to apply for Canadian citizenship in 2021.
| Citizenship Requirements 2021 | |
|---|---|
| Requirement | Details |
| You must be a permanent resident of Canada. | There are various immigration programs that you can apply for to become a permanent resident of Canada. |
| You must have lived in Canada for three out of the last five years. | You can use any other tools to calculate how long you’ve been physically present in Canada. |
| You must file your income tax. | You must file your annual tax returns even if you don’t have any income for the year. |
| Prove your language skills in English or French | To become a citizen, you need to meet the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 or higher. |
Are Canadian Citizenship Applications Being Processed?
Yes, Canada’s citizenship department is still processing applications. However, in-person citizenship tests are canceled and slight delays can be expected. According to the IRCC, it takes approximately 12 months to process citizenship applications.
Are Canadian Citizenship Applications Being Processed?
Due to COVID-19, citizenship tests are taken online. You can apply for citizenship by submitting an application online and then check your email for an invitation from the IRCC. You have 21 days to complete the test online from the date you receive your invitation.
How Can You Take the Canadian Citizenship Test During COVID-19?
Due to COVID-19, citizenship tests are taken online. You can apply for citizenship by submitting an application online and then check your email for an invitation from the IRCC. You have 21 days to complete the test online from the date you receive your invitation.
What do you need for the test?
- Identification like your PR card, or health card;
- Application number and unique client identifier sent with your invitation;
- Valid email address;
- Reliable internet connection;
- Desktop computer, laptop, or tablet with a webcam; and
- a Chrome or Safari Web browser;
NOTE: You should prepare to take your citizenship test in a room with good lighting so that the system can clearly see you through the webcam. The webcam will be used to take a photo of your face and monitor you while taking the test to ensure you complete the test by yourself. If you can’t take your test online for any reason then you may need to wait until in-person tests resume again.
What Kind of Questions Are Asked on the Canadian Citizenship Test?
No one particularly likes writing tests but don’t worry, your math skills and language abilities won’t be tested in this one. The Canadian citizenship test consists of 20 multiple-choice, and true or false questions that gauge how well you know Canada, your new home country. The test will include questions about the rights and responsibilities of Canadians and Canada’s history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols. The test is 30 minutes long and you need to get 15 correct answers to pass the test.
NOTE: You may be asked to write the Canadian citizenship test or it can also be presented orally, this will be decided on the day by a citizenship official.
What is the Fastest Way to Get Canadian Citizenship?
Surprised? There is a loophole that allows you to become a Canadian citizen after only two years of living in Canada as a permanent resident. If you have lived in Canada as a temporary resident before earning permanent residency then your time spent in the country can count towards the required three years of living in Canada to apply for Canadian citizenship in 2021.
