Is Seeking Canadian Citizenship Worth It?

Immigrating to any country is a big deal. So it’s only fair that you’re sure of your decision before you invest your time, money, and energy into immigrating. If you’re considering moving to Canada, one of the questions you might be asking yourself is whether it’s really worth it to seek Canadian citizenship.

The truth is, those who’re able to move to Canada and consciously make the decision to become citizens never regret it. Well, we haven’t heard any immigrants we’ve helped relocate come back to us wanting to renounce their citizenship!

Without further ado, below are some of the benefits that make seeking Canadian citizenship worth it.

Vast Job Opportunities

Canadian citizens can work in any location and for any legal Canadian company. Unlike permanent residents, citizens are not restricted from working for specific companies and in specific roles.

As a citizen, you’re eligible to apply and work in jobs that require a security clearance, a privilege that is not extended to those with a Canada permanent resident card.

Citizens Can Run for Political Office and Vote

One of the best advantages of being a citizen of any country, Canada included, is the privilege of choosing your leaders. Most importantly, as a citizen, you can run for elective office and be the change you want to see.

Canadian citizens enjoy the right to vote in provincial and federal elections, giving them a hand in shaping how their country is run.

Ability to Travel Visa-Free to Multiple Countries

Most people love to travel. Unfortunately, many would-be travellers are restricted from traveling because they often need a visa to enter the country they’re traveling to.

However, for the most part, Canadian citizens don’t have such a problem. Canadian citizens get a Canadian passport, which is one of the strongest in the world. In fact, the Canadian passport ranks as the 7th most powerful globally.

Canadian citizens with a Canadian passport can travel to 180+ destinations visa-free. In most of those destinations, Canadians don’t need a visa while in the few that require a visa, Canada’s citizens can apply at the destination.

Additionally, for immigrants whose home countries allow dual citizenship, Canada allows you to retain both Canadian and your native citizenship.

Canadian Citizenship is Permanent

While foreigners with a Canada permanent resident card have the freedom to work and live anywhere in Canada, their status is not permanent. There are multiple reasons a permanent resident can lose their status and be kicked out of the country.

This is a problem that citizens don’t have to worry about. Once the Canadian government grants you citizenship, they can’t cancel or revoke it later – it’s permanent.

No Immigration Documents to Track

As mentioned before, citizenship is permanent once it’s granted by the Canadian government. On the other hand, the Canadian permanent resident card is only valid for a period of five years, after which you need to renew it.

In addition, when traveling outside the country, permanent residents have to ensure their permanent resident cards don’t expire while they’re abroad. Otherwise, they’ll have a hard time being admitted back into the country.

However, citizens don’t need to track their immigration and the validity of their residency. Additionally, citizens can travel out of Canada and will always be allowed back into the country without a fuss.

How Do I Become a Canadian Citizen?

There are different requirements candidates who want to become Canadian citizens have to meet. While this may change depending on circumstances, below are 5 qualification criteria you MUST meet before applying for Canadian citizenship:

  • Be a permanent resident
  • Prove your language skills
  • Have lived in Canada for at least 3 out of the last 5 years
  • Have filed your taxes for at least the last 3 years if you’re eligible
  • Pass a test on your knowledge of Canada and your rights and responsibilities

The benefits above are among the reasons why Canadian citizenship is a popular option among foreigners looking to immigrate. With the right guidance, you too can become a Canadian permanent resident and start cultivating your path to citizenship.

Immigrate to Canada

Canada is one of the best countries for foreigners to immigrate and work in. The country’s fast-growing and highly industrialized economy presents unlimited opportunities and potential for every resident and immigrant to explore.

Additionally, because of the country’s wealth, Canadian residents have some of the highest standards of living in the world. Couple that with a stable political scene and the government’s commitment to welcoming immigrants and you have a country where foreigners will not only feel at home but have more chances to thrive.

How to Immigrate to Canada

Fortunately, there are so many ways (over 80) to immigrate to Canada and become a Canadian permanent resident. However, if you’re only considering Canadian immigration today, you’ll want to speak to an immigration consultant to guide you on the best path for you.

Otherwise, the options available may overwhelm you. Besides, with a thorough understanding of Canadian immigration paths and requirements, immigration consultants know which pathway will most likely work for you based on your needs.

That said, below is a brief list of the best and most popular pathways for foreigners to become permanent residents of Canada.

Economic & Professional Immigration

If you ask anyone which immigration pathway is best if you want to become a Canadian permanent resident, they’ll probably mention an economic or professional pathway. Typically, these pathways are best for skilled professionals whose expertise and education is essential for the growth of the Canadian economy. Be aware that the COVID-19 pandemic may have significantly lengthened the processing time and/or slots available for each path.

Although these broadly fall under the same category, their qualification criteria are vastly different. These immigration pathways include:

  • Express Entry – The most popular and fastest immigration pathway, Express Entry is a government program that invites skilled workers in specific professions to apply for Canadian permanent residency
  • Provincial Nominee Programs – Also known as PNPs, these pathways provide foreigners with the opportunity to immigrate to specific Canadian provinces and territories
  • Quebec Immigration – Immigration to Quebece has a special set of guidelines, unlike other Canadian territories that foreign residency applicants need to meet

Other than the three above, there are plenty of other popular immigration pathways including an entrepreneur and self-employed programs, caregivers programs, and most recently, the Atlantic Immigration Program, which was previously a pilot project.

Family Sponsorship

This immigration pathway is available for foreigners with family in Canada who are already permanent residents or Canadian citizens.

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, the family members you can sponsor include:

  • A spouse or conjugal/common-law partner
  • An adopted or biological dependent child
  • Grandparents and parents

Depending on the circumstance and typically if you have no other relatives you can sponsor, the following may be eligible:

  • Your brother, sister, nephew, niece, or grandchild if they’re orphaned

Humanitarian & Refugee Immigration

Canada is huge on humanitarian and refugee immigration and resettlement. Thus, a significant portion of immigrants that Canada targets are those moving into the country on compassionate grounds.

What You Need to Immigrate to Canada

The requirements you need to fulfill to immigrate to Canada and become a Canadian permanent resident will depend on the pathway you choose. However, there are certain documents that will fast track your process and that you’ll do well to prepare beforehand.

Some of the documents you’ll require with most Canada immigration pathway are:

  • Proof of your work experience
  • Education qualifications
  • Proof of identity
  • Criminal and medical background checks

Of course, these will change based on the immigration method you choose, so make sure you understand what’s required of you for the process you wish to undertake.

Do I Need a Job Offer to Immigrate to Canada?

Fortunately, most of the pathways that lead to becoming a permanent resident of Canada don’t need a job. However, for others like Express Entry, having a job offer boosts your chances of getting an invitation to apply for permanent residency.

What’s the Difference Between Being a Permanent Resident and Citizen?

While permanent residents of Canada and citizens enjoy many of the same rights and protections. Citizens are granted more freedoms and rights.

One of the biggest benefits of being a permanent resident is the ability to work and live anywhere in Canada. Permanent residents also enjoy:

  • Access to social services and healthcare
  • Ability to study anywhere in the country
  • Protection under Canadian law

On the other hands, while all citizens enjoy the benefits above, they also have the right and privilege to:

  • Vote
  • Run for office
  • Work in specific jobs

Most importantly, unlike permanent residency, citizenship cannot be revoked!

With an aging population and minimal birth rates, Canada’s economy and population growth is highly dependent on immigrants. As a result, the country has some of the easiest pathways to permanent residency. You only need to know which path is best for you and your family, which you can always find out if you talk to an immigration consultant.