Canadian citizenship

Canada's immigration and citizenship laws are complex and subject to change. Before you make any important decisions, discuss your circumstances with citizenship and immigration officials or an immigration representative.

For information about immigration representatives, see the Immigration Representatives link in the About the Department section of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Applying for citizenship

Many immigrants apply to become Canadian citizens after living in Canada as permanent residents (landed immigrants) for three or more years. Immigrants who become Canadian citizens have the same rights as citizens who were born in Canada. They can vote in elections, they can carry a Canadian passport and they cannot be deported. Canada also allows dual citizenship (citizenship in more than one country).

You may apply to become a Canadian citizen if you are not prohibited from being granted citizenship because of criminal prohibitions or a deportation order or because you represent a security risk.

To be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship, you must:

• Be a permanent resident (landed immigrant) of Canada and have lived in Canada for at least three of the four years before applying.
   
• Be at least 18 years of age to apply on your own.
   
• Complete an application form and mail it with the appropriate documents, photographs and fee to:
   
  Case Processing Centre
  Citizenship and Immigration Canada
  P.O. Box 7000
  Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6V6
   
• Have knowledge and understanding of English or French, Canada as a nation and the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.
   
• Take an oath of citizenship

A child (under 18 years of age) must be a permanent resident of Canada to apply for Canadian citizenship. To apply on behalf of your child, you must already be a citizen or apply for citizenship together as a family. Children do not need to have lived in Canada for three years before applying.

For more information, see the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website or call 1-888-242-2100 toll-free.

Permanent resident card

As of December 31, 2003, permanent residents who travel abroad and return to Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus) must present a permanent resident card as proof of their status.

For more information, see the Permanent Resident Card section of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website or call the Permanent Resident Card Call Centre at 1-800-255-4541 toll-free.

Date Updated: Dec 30, 2008
RDP-598