Canada Citizenship by Descent

Canada is a country where its citizens enjoy lots of privileges, which includes: Security, high quality of living, low cost of living, a transparent banking system, and lots of other benefits accrued to being a citizen.

If your parents are citizens of Canada, then according to Canadian laws, you are a citizen; this is known as citizenship by descent. It’s important you know that citizenship application has been made easier for children of Canadian parents. You can apply for citizenship whether your parents are alive or dead. All you need to do is apply with evidence of a Canadian citizenship certificate.

In this article, we would go into length on all you need to know about Canadian citizenship by descent.

Canada Citizenship by Descent

To apply for Canadian citizenship for a child who is still a minor, they are to fill out the documents in their stead. For these to be valid, they would have to show proof to Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that at least one biological parent or adopted parent was a Canadian citizen at the time the child was born.

The evidence must present itself in the form of the parent’s Canadian citizenship card or certificate, or Birth Certificate. The application fee for Canadian citizenship by descent is $75 CAD, and it must be presented alongside the application form. As soon as IRCC approves the application process, the Canadian parent or main applicant would receive an acceptance.

The child would get a Canadian citizenship certificate or card after IRCC approves the application.

How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship by Descent

The Canadian government has rules that have to be obeyed while applying for Canadian citizenship. It’s necessary you follow the process to make your application as seamless as possible. Here is the process:

Fill Needed Application Forms

To begin with, you are expected to fill out the required forms provided. It’s advisable you read through the form and have a good grasp of the information before you proceed with filling out the forms; this is to ensure you are error-free as much as you can.

You should also be there with the necessary index of needed documents, this would help keep the procedure seamless and free from unnecessary hassles. You are to utilize the October 2017 or the new editions of the applications. You are to submit and validate all useful documents in their acceptable order.

Deposit Needed Application Fees

You are to deposit the required application fee, which is during your application process. It’s necessary to keep in mind that the fees for citizenship by descent application is different for minors and adults. This implies that the fees are higher for those 18 years and above.

Processing charges and the right of citizenship charges are contained in the application fees. While submitting, ensure you submit your application to the right quarter.

Qualified Candidates are Approved to Submit Citizenship Application

To be considered qualified, you must be physically present in Canada for a period of 1,095 days or at least, 3 years out of the last five years, before you consider applying for citizenship.

The good thing about getting Canadian citizenship is that you can still retain your prior citizenship; this implies that Canada supports dual citizenship. So, if you are a citizen of another country before claiming your citizenship by descent in Canada, you are still good to go.

Requirements of Canadian Citizenship

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, the candidate has to attain some standards. Some of these standards include:

• You have to be a permanent resident.
• You have to be a normal taxpayer.
• You have passed the Canadian citizenship test.
• You have stayed in Canada for 1,095 days according to Canadian law. Or if you have stayed a minimum of 3 years out of the last 5 years, before application.
• You must be of good character with no criminal records.
• You must be competent in either French or English.

Benefits of Being a Canadian Citizen

There are various benefits accrued to being a Canadian citizen. Even permanent residential holders don’t enjoy as many benefits as a citizen of Canada. Here are some of the benefits available to Canadian citizens:

You Can Travel on a Canadian Passport as a Citizen

You stand a chance to enjoy being a Canadian citizen more If you were naturalized. Canada accepts dual citizenship, so if your country of birth accepts dual citizenship, then this is a win for you. As you can be a citizen of both countries.

However, in a situation where your country of birth doesn’t approve of dual citizenship, you can take your time to evaluate which citizenship suits you best.

You Don’t Lose your Status as a Canadian Citizen

You can spend time out of Canada as much as you want without having to face immigration fallouts; on the other hand, even permanent residents have to comply with some residential conditions.

Also, if you are found guilty of a crime, you will not lose your citizenship in most cases, unlike permanent residential holders who risk deportation if the crime is quite serious.

Canadian Citizens can Vote and Go for a Political Office

As a citizen, you can vote for the leaders of your choice during elections; both on a provincial and national level. You can also run for political offices, and represent Canadian constituents on some platforms.

Citizens are Qualified for More Jobs

As a citizen, you are qualified for some unelected government employment that requires only citizens. While permanent residents aren’t qualified for some jobs due to the constraints of their status.

Citizens Don’t have to Renew Their Documents

As a citizen, you don’t have to go through the stress of renewing some documents to validate your stay in Canada. Which Is the opposite for Permanent Resident Card holders; their cards are needed as evidence of permanent residence by employers.

Also, they would need their permanent resident card for international travel. Permanent resident cards are only eligible for 5 years; hence, they would have to renew every 5 years.

Final Thoughts

You can be recognized as a citizen of Canada If either of your biological parents or legal parents were citizens of Canada during the time of your birth. The good thing is, you can still retain the citizenship of the country of birth.

In this article, we went into detail on everything you need to know about citizenship by descent.