Canadian citizenship is a special status that shows you belong to Canada. To become a citizen, you need to meet some requirements. You must have lived in Canada for a certain amount of time, know about Canada’s history, values, and symbols, and pass a citizenship test, with that you can enjoy all the benefits of Canadian Citizenship.
Once you’re a citizen, you can vote in elections, travel with a Canadian passport, and enjoy many rights and responsibilities that come with being a member of the Canadian community. It’s like being officially welcomed and recognized as part of this diverse and friendly country.
Canadian Citizenship Requirements
- Be a permanent resident.
- Reside in Canada for at least 3 out of the last 5 years.
- File your taxes if required.
- Demonstrate proficiency in English or French.
- Successfully pass a citizenship test.
- Take the oath of citizenship
Benefits of becoming Canadian Citizen
1. Participate & Run For Politics
As a Canadian citizen, you have the opportunity to get involved in politics in different ways. You can run for positions in your town, city, or even at the national level. Canada has big groups called political parties, and if you’re interested, you can either run your own party or even join one.
It’s like having a say in who gets to make important decisions for your community, whether it’s a small town, a city, a province, a territory, or the whole country. So, being a citizen means you can be part of shaping how things work in Canada.
2. You May Vote in Elections
In Canada, we have a parliamentary democracy. During federal elections, every Canadian citizen aged 18 and above can vote to choose the Prime Minister. Not just you can be part of federal elections but also you can be part of local elections that is provincial and municipal elections where citizens can elect candidates they want.
Voting is important because it lets you have a say in who leads the country, province, territory, and town. This is a significant privilege and responsibility that comes with being a Canadian citizen
3. Dual Citizenships
One of the benefits of Canadian passport is Dual citizenship refers to the status of being recognized as a citizen by two different countries simultaneously. In the context of Canada, the good news is that the country is open to dual citizenship. This implies that you can retain your citizenship in Canada while also holding onto the citizenship of your home country.
This arrangement allows you to enjoy the privileges and responsibilities of being a citizen in both places. It’s akin to having a connection and sense of belonging to two countries simultaneously, enabling you to preserve your ties with your home country while actively participating in the Canadian community.
4. Salary & Rights
After obtaining citizenship, there’s no need for continuous renewal or active maintenance. Losing citizenship is extremely rare and typically occurs only in exceptional situations. Certain jobs, especially those with high-level security clearance at the federal level, are exclusive to citizens. These positions often come with higher salaries and many other benefits that can be obtained by Canadian Citizens only.
5. Travel Freely to popular countries
Canadian citizenship allows you to travel to numerous countries without a visa, including the USA, Schengen Countries, the UK, and more. This benefit of Canadian passport ensures smooth entry, exit, and residence in these nations. Canadian citizens can easily apply for a Canadian passport, which only requires renewal every 5-10 years, unlike PR cards.
The Canadian passport is highly regarded globally, granting visa-free travel to numerous countries. Moreover, it provides smoother re-entry into Canada compared to permanent residence travel documents.
6. Privileges For Children
If you’re a Canadian citizen and have a child, whether they are born in Canada or not, they become Canadian citizens automatically. They get the benefits without having to apply for citizenship like you did.
If you’re a permanent resident, your child is a Canadian citizen only if born in Canada. If they’re born outside Canada, you need to sponsor them. Citizenship can pass on to children. Anyone born in the country is a citizen by default.
7. Employment Benefits & Community Connected
This is one of my favorite benefits of Canadian Citizenship that Having citizenship is like having an advantage when looking for jobs, especially in the government and security fields. It opens more doors and helps you feel more connected to the community. Being a citizen brings you closer to the country’s values, making you feel more attached to your local areas and the people around you.
8. Live Anywhere
As a Canadian citizen, you have the freedom to live wherever you choose, and there are no specific rules about your place of residence. Your citizenship remains intact, allowing you to live anywhere in the world for as long as you wish. It’s essential to remember, though, that if you stay outside Canada for more than five years, you won’t be eligible to vote in federal elections.
Taxation Of A Canadian Citizen
Canada’s tax laws focus on where you live, not just on being a citizen. If you’re a citizen but live outside Canada, you might not have to pay Canadian taxes. However, if you’re a citizen living in Canada, you have to pay taxes on all your income worldwide. This includes federal, provincial, and municipal taxes.
