Canadian Citizenship

Canada offers citizenship through naturalization and by birth in Canada.

Under current law, to qualify for citizenship through naturalization, candidates must have three years of qualifying permanent resident status during the preceding five years.

Applicants must also:

1. Meet the Citizenship Language Requirement, if between the ages of 18 and 54.
2. Not be under a removal order.
3. Not have a criminal prohibition.
4. Pay processing fees.

Applications are submitted to the citizenship office in their Province or Territory offices. At WINDOW 2 WORLD IMMIGRATION LTD. we pre-screened the applicants and to ensure the application is complete and also the 3-year residence rule has been met. Within about 12 months from submission, applicants will be required to attend an interview to demonstrate their knowledge of Canada in one of Canada's official languages.

Citizenship Language Requirement

Applicants for citizenship between the ages of 14-64 must provide evidence of their knowledge of one of Canada's official languages on the date their application is submitted. The minimum language abilities to be met are described in the regulations as the capacity to:

1. Take part in short, every-day conversations.
2. Understand simple instructions.
3. Use basic grammar, simple structures and tenses in oral communication.
4. Use vocabulary that is adequate for routine oral communication.

The applicant for Citizenship must have English or French speaking and listening abilities that meet the language requirements described above. Written proficiency is not necessary. Evidence of language proficiency must include one of the following:

1. Results of a CIC approved language test.
2. Diploma or transcripts showing secondary or post-secondary education in English or French.
3. Results from a government funded language course showing CLB or NCLC 4 or higher.

Individuals who underwent language testing in the process of applying for permanent residence can use those results as evidence of proficiency, even if they have since expired. Language tests currently approved by CIC for citizenship application purposes are: International English Language Testing System (IELTS); Canadian English Language-Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP); Test d'Evaluation Francaise (TEF); Test d'Evaluation du Francais Adapte au Quebec (TEFAQ).