For those who actually want to head up north, here’s how you become a permanent resident and citizen of Canada.
Preface: Make sure you’re not already a Canadian citizen.
Before you go through the hassle of applying for citizenship or permanent residency, take a short quiz to see if you may already be Canadian.
The government outlines several caveats for being a citizen even if you weren’t born there, many of which depend on your parents’ citizenship. Maybe you secretly inherited their status at some point along the way.
Be at least 18 years old.
If you’re not a legal adult, you’ve got an uphill climb ahead of you. To become a citizen, minors need their parent or legal guardian to fill out the application for them; they need to already be permanent residents in Canada; and the parent must either be a citizen or applying to become one at the same time.
Become a permanent resident.
The Canadian government created a handy tool to help you figure out if you’re eligible to be a permanent resident, which is required to become a Canadian citizen.
There are several avenues available to becoming a permanent resident. For example, you can apply through a specific province, go down a special entrepreneur route, get help from a family member or spouse who lives in Canada, or go through Quebec, which has special immigration requirements.
Permanent residents are entitled to healthcare coverage and can work, study, and travel anywhere in Canada. You just can’t vote, run for office, or hold some jobs with high security clearance.
If you’re a skilled worker, consider Canada’s Express Entry system.
Canada has a fast-track system for immigration called Express Entry. It’s how skilled workers transition into a new role in the country.
All applicants into Express Entry are given specific scores based on their talents and job prospects and then ranked with other applicants. Those at the top of the rankings are invited to become permanent residents.
