About Obr Canadian Immigration Lawyers

Who Qualifies for Canadian Citizenship?

Who Is Representing You? Contact Mario D. Bellissimo Has your case been refused? Temporary Residents Permanent Residents Canadian Citizens Refugees Gaining Entry Into Canada Our Publications Inside Canadian Immigration Site Map		Who Qualifies for Canadian Citizenship? One can acquire Canadian citizenship in a number of ways. In general, anyone who is born in Canada is automatically a Canadian citizen. In certain situations, a person who was not born in Canada can apply for a certificate of citizenship showing that he or she derived citizenship at birth from a Canadian citizen parent, or grandparent, living abroad. Depending upon the circumstances, and whether the applicant is residing legally in Canada, it is possible to obtain a certificate of citizenship even if the parent or grandparent was not a Canadian citizen at the time, the child was born abroad - if the parent or grandparent later becomes a Canadian citizen. As a general rule, individuals with three years of permanent resident status during the preceding four years can qualify for Canadian citizenship. Applications are submitted at the local citizenship office in the area of an applicant's residence. Applicants admitted to Canada on temporary status, can receive credit for one-half day to a maximum of one year, for each day of such temporary status in Canada. The Rights and Responsibilities of Canadian Citizenship Upon becoming a Canadian citizen, you acquire certain rights: • Democratic rights • Language rights • Equality rights • Legal rights • Mobility rights • Freedom of religion • Freedom of expression • Freedom of assembly and association and certain responsibilities: • To respect the rights and freedoms of others • To obey Canada's laws • To participate in the democratic process For a more detailed description of the rights and responsibilities that accompany Canadian citizenship, see the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

One can acquire Canadian citizenship in a number of ways. In general, anyone who is born in Canada is automatically a Canadian citizen. In certain situations, a person who was not born in Canada can apply for a certificate of citizenship showing that he or she derived citizenship at birth from a Canadian citizen parent, or grandparent, living abroad. Depending upon the circumstances, and whether the applicant is residing legally in Canada, it is possible to obtain a certificate of citizenship even if the parent or grandparent was not a Canadian citizen at the time, the child was born abroad - if the parent or grandparent later becomes a Canadian citizen.

As a general rule, individuals with three years of permanent resident status during the preceding four years can qualify for Canadian citizenship. Applications are submitted at the local citizenship office in the area of an applicant's residence. Applicants admitted to Canada on temporary status, can receive credit for one-half day to a maximum of one year, for each day of such temporary status in Canada.

The Rights and Responsibilities of Canadian Citizenship

Upon becoming a Canadian citizen, you acquire certain rights:

• Democratic rights
• Language rights
• Equality rights
• Legal rights
• Mobility rights
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of expression
• Freedom of assembly and association

and certain responsibilities:

• To respect the rights and freedoms of others
• To obey Canada's laws
• To participate in the democratic process

For a more detailed description of the rights and responsibilities that accompany Canadian citizenship, see the

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

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Ormston, Bellissimo, Rotenberg
Barristers and Solicitors
20 Eglinton Ave West, Suite 2202
Toronto, Ontario,
M4R 1K8 P.O. BOX 2023
Tel: (416) 787-6505
Fax: (416) 787-0455
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The information contained on these pages is for general use only and is not a substitute for speaking to a practicing barrister or solicitor and should not be relied upon as case specific advice in any form whatsoever. Please contact us at OBR to assist you directly with your case. Thank you.