Skip to content
Citizenship - Permanent Residency
JG-CIS
Citizenship - Permanent Residency
Citizenship
Canadian citizenship provides you with full participation in the country’s democratic, economic, and social systems, along with a range of privileges that make life in Canada rewarding and secure. These include the right to vote and run for office, access to social benefits which include healthcare and education and the ability to sponsor family members for immigration to name a few.
Permanent Residency
Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada is a status that allows foreign nationals to live, work, and study in Canada on a permanent basis. It provides individuals with most of the rights and benefits of Canadian citizens, such as access to healthcare and social services, while maintaining the flexibility of being a citizen of another country. However, permanent residents are not Canadian citizens and do not have the right to vote or run for political office.
If you're between the ages of 18 and 54 at the time of your application, you’ll be required to take a citizenship test. The test is based on Canada’s history, values, symbols, geography, and rights and responsibilities of citizenship. It’s a written test, but in some cases, you may be required to take an interview instead. This interview is generally for clarification purposes. Once your application is approved, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony, which is typically held in groups. At the ceremony you will take the Oath of Citizenship, which is a formal declaration that you will be loyal to Canada and obey its laws. Once you take the oath, you officially become a Canadian citizen!
Citizenship
To be eligible for Canadian citizenship certain eligibility requirements need to be satisfied:
Permanent Resident Status: You must be a permanent resident of Canada. This means you’ve already been granted the status of a permanent resident, either through immigration or as a refugee.
Residency Requirement: You must have lived in Canada for at least 3 out of the last 5 years before applying. This is called the "residency requirement." Time spent in Canada on a work or study permit doesn’t count, but time spent as a temporary resident may count for up to half, if you have been a temporary resident for at least 24 months during the past 5 years.
Language Proficiency: You need to show you can communicate in either English or French. Applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 must provide proof of language ability through approved tests or documents. The minimum language requirement is Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 4 in all skills.
Income Tax Filing: You must have filed your taxes in Canada for at least 3 years within the last 5 years. This ensures you’ve been meeting your tax obligations.
Criminal History: If you’ve been convicted of certain criminal offenses, especially immigration or criminal offenses in the past, this may impact your eligibility.
Permanent residency
Key Aspects of Canadian Permanent Residency:
Canadian Citizen
Permanent Residency
Yes to all countries accessible through Canadian passport
Only those countries accessible through PR card and country of nationality
No, in case of inadmissibility
Yes, with a valid PR card
Yes, if the parent is also born in Canada
Yes, with the exception of certain jobs requiring high-level security clearance
Canadian Citizen
Canadian passport
Can travel freely to all countries accessible through Canadian passport
Guaranteed to be able to enter Canada
Right to live indefinitely in the country
Right to pass status to children born outside the country if parent is also born in Canada
Right to work
Right to run for office
Right to vote
Permanent Residency
Can travel only those countries accessible through PR card and country of nationality
Not Guaranteed to be able to enter Canada, incase of inadmissibility
Right to live indefinitely in the country with a valid PR card
Right to work with exception of certain jobs requiring high-level security clearance
