The new Bill C-6 law, makes access to canadian citizenship more easier from early 2018. Immigrants who have lived 1095 days in Canada during 5 year period with permanent resident status, can apply to become ‘Canadian citizen’. The current requirement is 1460 days during 6 year period.
Foreign citizens already living in Canada cannot apply for canadian citizenship without receiving permanent resident card.
Permanent residents are citizens of other countries living in Canada. A person in Canada temporarily, like a student or foreign worker, is not a permanent resident. To become a permanent resident of canada you must have physically and legally lived in Canada for 730 days (2 years) in 5-year period.
The time spent outside of Canada cannot be counted towards the citizenship residency requirements.
The following are some of the important changes proposed in the C-6 bill.
- Applicants may count each day they were physically present in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before becoming a permanent resident as a half-day toward meeting the physical presence requirement for citizenship, up to a maximum credit of 365 days.
- Dual canadian citizens will be stripped of canadian citizenship if a person is convicted for treason, fraud, terrorism or false representation.
- Applicants not required to live in Canada after receiving canadian citizenship
