Canadian Citizenship – Benefits

Once you get your Canadian citizenship, you can apply for a Canadian passport. Don’t get scammed by certain persons, agencies or websites who claim that they can help you to obtain a Canadian passport. They cannot! No middle-man can speed up the process. The application forms and information are free of charge and you should not pay for them. However, you still need to pay for your passport processing fees. Only Passport Canada regional offices, Service Canada Centers, designated Canada Post offices and Canadian Government offices abroad are authorized to collect them. You can apply directly at Passport Canada.

The steps are clearly outlined and the process is not difficult.

Canadian citizenship – the right to vote

Canadian citizenship gives you the right to vote in any federal, provincial or municipal election.
You simply need to register yourself to be able to vote by

– calling Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868
– visiting your local Elections Canada office

You might be automatically added to the National Register of Electors, a database of Canadian electors who are qualified to vote in federal elections and referendums. This register gets your data from a variety of sources, such as provincial and territorial motor vehicle registrars, Canada Revenue Agency or Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Elections Canada sends a voter information card by mail to each registered voter. If you have not received a card a few weeks prior to an election, you need to register yourself or update your information.

Please see Elections Canada for more information.

Canadian citizenship – the right to live outside Canada with no time limit

As a permanent resident, you must live in Canada for at least two years within a five-year period in order to keep your permanent resident status. Canadian citizenship gives you the right to travel freely and to leave and re-enter Canada whenever you want.

Canadian citizenship – the right to be a candidate in federal, provincial and territorial elections

Canadian citizenship gives you the right to run for elected office in Canada.

Canadian citizenship – preference for jobs in the federal government

Most federal government jobs require the applicant to have Canadian citizenship. This is particularly true for jobs that have a high-level security clearance requirement.

Canadian citizenship – the right to pass Canadian citizenship on to your children born outside Canada(to the first generation only)

As a Canadian citizen any children born to you outside Canada will be Canadian citizens.

Canadian citizenship – easier travel to the United States

When you hold a Canadian passport you do not need to apply for a United States tourist visa. The conditions of stay remain the same as for non Canadian citizens but the admission to the U.S. is much easier if you have Canadian citizenship. This also reduces delay at the border when crossing by land into the United States. As well, Canadian citizens can seek employment in the United States if the employment is covered by the NAFTA treaty.

Please check the Canada Border Services Agency for more information.

Do you need help with your Canadian citizenship application? Read our article Canadian Citizenship Application – Understanding the process

Need help preparing for your Canadian citizenship test? Learn more about our Canadian Citizenship Test – complete online training program!