Applying for a Grant of Citizenship (Naturalization)
Naturalization is the legal process that transforms a permanent resident into a Canadian citizen. In order to be naturalized, the permanent resident must apply for a grant of citizenship. Most of these applications are decided by a citizenship officer on the basis of a file review. However, when an officer finds that more information is required to make a decision (for example, because of concerns about the calculation of the residency requirement), the officer refers the case to a citizenship judge who may require the applicant to attend a hearing before that judge. The requirements for a grant of citizenship are found in section 5 of the Citizenship Act. Permanent residents who wish to obtain a grant of Canadian citizenship must meet certain criteria. They must
- Be admitted to Canada as a permanent resident;
- Be a t least 18 years old or be included with the application of a parent who is over 18 years old;
- Make an application for citizenship;
- Pay fees;
- Provide photos;
- Meet the residency requirements;
- Not be under a removal order or declared to be a threat to security or a member of an organized crime group;
- Show an adequate knowledge of English or French
- Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities of a citizen and pass the citizenship test; and
- Take the citizenship oath. An applicant who is physically or mentally unable to comply may, for compassionate reasons, have the requirements waived for language competence, the citizenship test, and the citizenship oath. Instead, the applicant must submit a medical opinion provided by his physician attesting to the fact that he is unable to meet the requirements by reason of the medical condition or disability (CitizenshipAct, s 5(3)).