Citizenship Week in Canada
The Minister of Immigration spoke at the virtual citizenship ceremony.
Every year Canada celebrates Citizenship Week, and this time it lasted from May 23 to 29. Citizens were encouraged to share their stories on social media using the hashtags #MyCitizenship and #ImmigrationMatters. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser participated in a virtual swearing-in ceremony and congratulated new Canadian citizens.
Canada has one of the highest naturalization rates in the world: about 85% of immigrants become citizens. That's all it takes:
- be a permanent resident for three years, 1095 days in the last five years without leaving Canada;
- pay taxes for those three years;
- have knowledge of one of the official languages;
- take a test of basic Canadian law, history, and culture.
The Department of Immigration launched an online testing platform on November 26, 2020. By April 30, 2022, nearly 310,000 people had taken the citizenship test. On average, 5,000 applicants take the test per week.
Between April 1, 2020, and April 30, 2022, more than 300,000 people took the Oath of Office in a virtual ceremony and became citizens. The Department of Immigration invites an average of 3,000 applicants a week to participate in citizenship ceremonies.
What are the advantages of Canadian citizenship? Is it worth the time, fees, and history if you can remain a permanent resident?
- You will be able to visit visa-free 185 countries. At the beginning of 2022, the Canadian passport ranked 7th in the world in terms of freedom of movement.
- You will never be deported. You are free to leave, return, and live outside the country.
- Your children will be Canadian citizens even if they are born in another country.
- You will be able to vote in elections and run for office yourself, including in the United Kingdom.
- You will have more employment options — you can hold government jobs available only to citizens in Canada and the UK, and you can serve in the military.
- You do not have to renounce your former citizenship if your first country does not forbid dual citizenship.
Our website has detailed instructions on how to apply for Canadian citizenship.
