How to Obtain Canadian Citizenship in Surrey, BC

Requirements to Become a Canadian Citizen

There are several Canadian citizenship requirements that must be met before applying. The immigrating individual must:

• Be a permanent resident
• Have lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years
• Have filed their taxes if necessary
• Pass a test on their rights, responsibilities, and knowledge of Canada
• • Prove their language skills if they are between the ages of 18 and 54
  

Canadian Citizenship Test

Once the Canadian citizenship application has been approved, the applicant may need to take a citizenship test. The citizenship test is designed to allow the applicant to demonstrate what they know about Canada. There are 20 questions which cover:

Once the Canadian citizenship application has been approved, the applicant may need to take a citizenship test. The citizenship test is designed to allow the applicant to demonstrate what they know about Canada. There are 20 questions which cover:

• Rights and responsibilities of Canadians
• History
• Geography
• Economy
• Government
• Laws

The test is administered in either French or English and is 30 minutes long. It contains both multiple choice and true or false questions. During COVID-19 pandemic the test was administered online and will continue to be conducted this way until further notice. The applicant will be invited to take the citizenship test after receiving confirmation that their completed application has begun processing. After the test, they will meet with an official for an interview.

The test is administered in either French or English and is 30 minutes long. It contains both multiple choice and true or false questions. During COVID-19 pandemic the test was administered online and will continue to be conducted this way until further notice. The applicant will be invited to take the citizenship test after receiving confirmation that their completed application has begun processing. After the test, they will meet with an official for an interview.

Oath of Citizenship

The oath of citizenship is the final stage of the Canadian citizenship process. Applicants will typically receive their ceremony date two weeks before the event. If they are unable to attend, they will need to provide a reason, and a new date can be scheduled. Adults and children 14 or older need to attend the citizenship ceremony and take the oath, and children under 14 can attend the ceremony but are not required to take the oath. During COVID-19 this ceremony was conducted online and will continue to be until further notice.

A Parent or Guardian Applying for a Minor

The form for an application under subsection 5(2) is intended for minors (persons under the age of 18) who already have Canadian permanent residency who are applying at the same time as their parent or who already have a Canadian parent.

Minors Applying Without a Canadian Parent

This application under subsection 5(1) is intended for minors (persons under the age of 18) who are permanent residents and do not have a parent applying for citizenship at the same time as them, and do not already have a Canadian parent. This application must be made by a person who has custody of the minor or who is empowered to act on their behalf by virtue of a court order or written agreement or by operation of law. The authorized person applying on behalf of the minor does not have to be a Canadian citizen. Minors who do not have an authorized person to apply on their behalf can request a waiver of this requirement on the application form.