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Logo of the Law Society of Ontario with text in English and French and a circular gold emblem.
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Canadian Citizenship

What it is: The legal status that grants individuals full rights as Canadian citizens, including the ability to vote, obtain a Canadian passport, and live in Canada indefinitely.

Requirements:

  • Permanent Resident (PR) Status: Must hold valid PR status and not be under review for fraud, removal, or inadmissibility.

  • Physical Presence: Must have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) in the last 5 years before applying.

  • Income Tax Filing: Must have filed taxes for at least 3 years within the last 5 years, if required under the Income Tax Act.

  • Language Requirement: Applicants aged 18-54 must demonstrate CLB 4 proficiency in English or French.

  • Citizenship Test: Applicants aged 18-54 must pass a test on Canadian history, values, institutions, and rights/responsibilities.

  • Oath of Citizenship: Successful applicants must attend a ceremony and swear an oath to officially become Canadian citizens.