A Guide on Getting Canadian Citizenship

Anyone applying for Canadian citizenship or retaining it needs to pass a citizenship test. Objective of the test is to evaluate the person’s knowledge of Canada. In case one fails in the written test, they are called for an interview and given a chance to answer the questions orally.

Canada is a multicultural society that adds approximate 170,000 permanent residents as citizens. A routine application takes 15 to 19 months to get processed and it is a bit hard to get the citizenship. You need to prepare well to get through the process.

Eligibility Requirements
The first thing you need to be clear about is eligibility requirements. In general, the applicant must be at least 18 years old. When parents or guardians are applying for Canadian citizenship for a child, there are additional requirements. They must have permanent resident status in Canada for at least three of the four previous years. They must also have knowledge of English or French and not have any prohibitions due to a criminal history.

Marriage to a Canadian citizen does not make you a citizen. You need to first apply for permanent resident status and then for Canadian citizenship. Canadian law allows for dual citizenship as well.

Citizenship Test
You also need to prepare for citizenship test. Anyone who is between the ages of 18 and 54, and meets the basic requirements for citizenship has to take the test. One who is applying to retain the citizenship also needs to appear in the test.

Objective of the test is to evaluate your knowledge of Canada. During the written exam or the interview, you have to answer questions about:

* rights and responsibilities of a citizen
* elections procedures
* Canadian physical and political geography
* Canadian social and cultural history and symbols
* Canadian political history

You usually get Canadian citizenship test letter about a month before and the time is not sufficient to prepare well for the test. Applicants need to attend 20 multiple choice questions, each with four possible answers. The answer sheet is separate from the question sheet. You need to answer 80% of the questions to pass the test. In case you fail to pass the written test, you will need to appear for an interview (30-90 minutes) with a citizenship judge. You will be asked the test questions orally to give you another opportunity to demonstrate that you satisfy the requirements of citizenship. However, it is harder and it is better if you get through it in the first attempt.

There are people who have everything right for getting the citizenship yet they fail as they cannot perform in the test. A bit of study can help you get through Canadian citizenship test.

If you pass the test and meet the other requirements for citizenship as well, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony where you will take the oath of citizenship and receive a certificate of Canadian citizenship. Citizens need to bring all their relevant documents to the ceremony. All of the original immigration documents and permanent resident card need to be produced.

At the citizenship ceremony, you accept the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. The ceremony is presided by a citizenship judge and many people take oath together. Once you take the oath, you are a Canadian citizen.

Author of this article is associated with canada-citizenship-test.com that enables people get through the Canadian citizenship test.

Website: http://www.canada-citizenship-test.com/

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Keywords: Canadian citizenship test, Canadian citizenship test

By: Emil Todorov

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