Discovering just how long it
takes to become a Canadian citizen can sometimes be disheartening, as
citizenship often takes more than four years from start to finish. Several
years are spent becoming eligible in the first place and then waiting out
processing times through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Step 1: Meeting the
Physical Presence Requirement
The first and longest phase
of becoming a Canadian citizen is to satisfy the physical presence requirement.
Candidates must be physically present for at least 1,095 days in the five years
before applying and have at least 730 days as a permanent resident. Time spent
in Canada as a temporary status holder may be counted at half-days toward the
total, up to 365 days. IRCC recommends applying with more than the minimum required days to avoid miscalculation.
Step 2: Gathering
Documents and Preparing Your Application
The second phase is
collecting all the required documents, which include language proof,
calculating all absences, photos, police certificate(s), and more. This phase
can take anywhere from a day to several months, depending on one’s situation
and history.
Step 3: Submitting Your
Citizenship Application and Processing Time
Once eligibility and
documents are in order, it’s time to submit the application. Filling out the
application itself should only take a few hours, but waiting for the
application to be processed takes much longer. Most applications are processed
within 12 months, according to IRCC, but current processing times are at 13–14
months.
Step 4: Citizenship Test
and Citizenship Ceremony
Finally, applicants for
Canadian citizenship must pass a test and attend a ceremony to receive a
certificate of Canadian citizenship and apply for a Canadian passport.
Applying for Canadian citizenship takes a great deal of preparation and planning. A&M Canadian Immigration Law Corporation will support you at every step of the citizenship process. We ensure your application is thorough and filed correctly the first time, avoiding unnecessary delays. Our team helps anticipate potential issues and offers strategic guidance to ensure a smooth path forward.
