Frequently
Asked
Questions |
|
| Once I obtain Canadian Permanent
Resident status, when do I become eligible to apply for Canadian Citizenship?
|
| You are allowed to apply for Canadian
Citizenship after you have been physically resident in Canada for
three years (1095 days) out of the four years immediately preceding
your application. Where exceptional circumstances exist, however,
you may be allowed to apply even if you have not been physically resident
in Canada for the required 1095 days. |
| Do I have to apply for Canadian Citizenship
as soon as I am eligible? |
| No. There is no obligation to apply
for Canadian Citizenship at any time. |
| What are some of the advantages of obtaining
Canadian Citizenship? |
| Unlike permanent residents, Canadian
citizens are allowed to be absent from Canada for extended periods
of time without any risk of losing their status. Except in rare cases,
Canadian citizens cannot be deported from Canada. Canadian citizens
also receive Canadian passports and are entitled to vote in federal
elections. |
| Will time spent in Canada prior to becoming
a permanent resident be counted towards my Citizenship application?
|
| Time spent legally in Canada prior to
becoming a permanent resident may be counted towards the calculation
of the 1095 days required to qualify for Canadian Citizenship. Within
the four years prior to applying for Canadian Citizenship, each day
spent in Canada as a non-permanent resident (i.e. as a visitor) is
counted as half a day, up to a maximum total credit of one year. Each
day spent in Canada as a permanent resident is counted as one whole
day. |
| Will time spent absent from Canada be
counted towards my Citizenship application? |
| Unless there are exceptional circumstances,
time spent outside of Canada (other than for short vacations) will
not be counted towards the calculation of the 1095 days required to
qualify for Canadian Citizenship. |
| Will Canadian Citizenship affect my
eligibility to work in the USA, Mexico or Chile? |
| Under the provisions of the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement,
qualified Canadian citizens can benefit from facilitated admission
into the USA, Mexico and Chile for business and work-related purposes. |
| As a Canadian citizen, am I required
to obtain a Returning Resident Permit for absences from Canada? |
| No. Citizens of Canada are not required
to obtain Returning Resident Permits for any absence from Canada.
Canadian Citizenship cannot be lost as a result of a long or permanent
absence from Canada. |
| Can I have dual Citizenship? |
| Since 1977, Canada has permitted its
citizens to hold dual or multi Citizenship. As a result, Canadian
citizens will not lose their Canadian Citizenship if they retain their
former nationality or become citizens of another country.
If you intend to become a Canadian citizen, you are advised to
verify whether the country of your current nationality permits dual
citizenship.
|
| As a Canadian citizen, must I pay Canadian
income tax on my worldwide income? |
| Not in all cases. As a general rule
you are only required to pay Canadian income tax on worldwide income
if you reside in Canada. It is always best to consult with a specialist
in Canadian taxation for specific advice regarding any and all Canadian
taxation matters. |
|
