Apply for Canadian citizenship After PR
Are You Qualified for a Canadian Passport Through Citizenship?
Citizenship by Descent Explained
Key points to know:
- If you have a Canadian parent, you technically might already have citizenship regardless of whether you have ever set foot in the country.
- If your parent was Canadian by birth as well (born outside Canada to a Canadian parent), you might also have been influenced by the First-Generation Limit (FGL).
- One must obtain citizenship to apply for a Canadian passport.
- To make sure you're qualified, the Government of Canada provides an online test called "Am I a Canadian?", which is usually the first of numerous steps for those inquiring about the matter.
The First-Generation Rule and the Lost Canadians
- Born or adopted on or before December 19th, 2023, and in the FGL.
- Born or adopted on or after December 19, 2023, and have at least one Canadian parent who was physically in Canada for 1,095+ days (three years) before your birth/admission to Canada.
- Born before April 1, 1949, and yet suffering from the archaic laws of citizenship.
- Previously, a Canadian citizen had forfeited it by virtue of retention requirements contained in pre-existing sections of the Citizenship Act.
Monthly Intake Levels: 2024 and 2025
| Category | Jan–Jun 2024 | Jan–Jun 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Study Permits | 20,839 | 6,070 |
| Work Permits | 40,865 | 19,872 |
Why Work Permit Numbers Are So High
The reason there are so many work permit numbers is largely due to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) policy. Most foreign students turn into work permits upon graduation, often many years after their initial entry into Canada.
As a result, while fewer new study permits are issued, active work permit holders continue to rise as a result of earlier cohorts of students entering the labor market.
Application for Evidence of Canadian Citizenship
To get a Canadian passport, you’ll need a citizenship certificate to use as proof. You get it from an application process managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Step 1: Ask for the Application Package
The kit contains:
- Instruction manual
- Document checklist
- Application Form (CIT 0001
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
You’ll need:
- Two current valid IDs with the name and birthdate (with a photo on one of them)
- One (online) or two (paper) identical colour passport photographs.
- Translations with an affidavit for non-French/English documents
- Translation
- IMM 5476 (Use of the Representative Form), as used
- Any other supporting documents mentioned in the checklist
Step 3: Process Fee Payments
- Standard charge: $75 (nonrefundable)
- Keep the receipt for the application and for future reference.
Step 4: Submit the Application
Can be lodged online or by mail. Once lodged, you will receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR).
Processing Time: Around 5 months, but it may take longer for more complex cases. IRCC also offers expedited processing for individuals with urgent problems on presentation of evidence of urgency.
Applying for a Canadian Passport
Can be lodged online or by mail. Once lodged, you will receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR).
- By email
- In person at a Service Canada office.
Requirements for a Passport Application
- Application form (PPTC 153
- Canadian citizenship certificate
- Proof of identity (i.e.,driver's license, foreign passport)
- Two passport photographs identical
- Also, you will require a guarantor (a Canadian national who verifies you) and at least two referees.
Passport Fees and Processing Times
- 5-year passport: $120
- 10-Year passport: $160
- Processing times range:
- Standard: 10–20 business days
- Delivery: 2–9 business days
- Next business day: Exclusively for urgents, with accompanying documentation.
- Passports usually arrive by mail, except for paying for in-person pick-up service.
How to Get an LMIA: What Employers Need to Know
LMIA Application Process:
Step 1: Submit Application to ESDC
Employers or the company should first open the job in Canada by advertising through various portals and make genuine efforts to recruit domestically. This should be for four weeks at least. They also have to provide details about job duties, wages, and employment conditions, along with the required processing fee.
Step 2: Wait for the LMIA Decision
Step 3: Share LMIA with the Worker
What Happens Following Submission?
Upon receipt of your application, IRCC will begin the evaluation process and require additional documentation, including:
Medical exams
You will be called with directions on where and how to take a medical checkup.
Police Certificates
Applicants over the age of 18 may be required to present police clearance certificates. These papers have to be valid for one year after the date of issuance.
Biometrics
Conclusion
If you happen to have Canadian roots, the achievement of citizenship and Canadian passport is a prestigious honor. Not only does it provide you the freedom to reside and work in Canada, but visa-free traveling to numerous countries of the globe.
Although the process proves cumbersome with intricate paperwork and stringent rules of eligibility, recent policy developments have provided avenues for numerous “Lost Canadians” to restore their due citizenship. By verifying your eligibility, applying for citizenship proof, and processing the passport, you will enjoy the full privileges of being Canadian.
