Are you a citizen of another country but interested in claiming Canadian citizenship? That dream can be a reality if you qualify as eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent. In Ontario, claiming Canadian citizenship starts with completing an application form and submitting it to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Take a closer look at how the process works to ensure you qualify to apply for Canadian citizenship by descent.
Eligibility Requirements for Claiming Citizenship by Descent
To claim your Canadian citizenship through descent, there are specific requirements that must be met. First, at least one of your parents must have been a Canadian citizen when you were born. Second, if your parent was born in Canada after February 14th, 1977, they must also have had at least one parent who was a Canadian citizen at the time of their birth. Finally, before submitting an application for citizenship by descent, applicants must meet specific residency requirements. Generally speaking, applicants must have lived in Canada as permanent residents for at least three out of the past four years before submitting their application.
Completing Your Application
The next step in claiming Canadian citizenship by descent is to complete the application form. This form is called “Application for a Verification of Status or Replacement of an Immigration Document” and can be found on the IRCC website. The application process involves answering detailed questions about yourself and providing supporting documents such as proof of identity and parental status as a Canadian citizen. You will need to provide details about yourself such as your name, date of birth, current address, and other personal information that is relevant to your claim. You must also include further documentation such as copies of passports or birth certificates that can verify your identity and eligibility status.
It’s important to note that if your parent became a naturalized Canadian citizen after your birth, then additional documentation may be required regarding their original place of birth and any other countries they held nationality in before becoming a naturalized Canadian citizen.
Submitting the Application
Once all required documents have been included with your application, you must apply directly to IRCC online or via the mail.
Processing Times
After submitting your application, you will receive a receipt from IRCC confirming they received it. However, depending on how many applications are currently being processed at any given time, it can take several months before they can review and assess your claim. During this period, you should not contact IRCC unless there has been a significant change in circumstances since submitting your application.
Granting Your Citizenship
If your claim is approved by IRCC, they will issue you documentation confirming that you have been granted Canadian citizenship by descent. At this point, you can apply for a Canadian passport if desired and enjoy all the rights and privileges associated with being an official citizen of Canada.
Claiming Canadian citizenship by descent is relatively simple when done correctly; however, it does require patience since processing times can vary depending on the number of applications being handled at any given time. To ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible, verify that all forms are completed accurately and that all supporting documents are included with the submission r to increase your chances of having your application approved quickly by IRCC.
Once your application is approved, citizens who have claimed their citizenship by descent can enjoy all the same rights as those born in Canada while still maintaining their original citizenship status, if applicable. It’s important to note that those wishing to claim their Canadian citizenship must reside in Ontario or another province within Canada during the entire duration of their application process; otherwise, their application may be denied by IRCC officials upon review due to residency requirements not being appropriately met.
For expert guidance, while applying for Canadian citizenship by descent, get in touch with the professionals at Atlas Law Group. Atlas Law Group’s team of professional attorneys has decades of experience supporting clients through the citizenship application process. Contact Atlas Law today to start your citizenship journey.
