Canadian citizen
Statutory definition
The Citizenship Act, RSC 1985, c C-29, provides for the acquisition, retention, renunciation, and revocation of Canadian citizenship. Citizens by birth, descent, or grant are defined in s 3 of the Act. IRPA defines "Canadian citizen" by reference to the Citizenship Act.
Explanation
Canadian citizenship is the highest immigration status. Citizens have the unqualified right to enter and remain in Canada and cannot be subject to removal orders under IRPA. Citizens may hold dual citizenship with other countries (Canada does not generally require renunciation of other citizenships on grant).
Citizenship may be acquired:
- By birth in Canada — most persons born in Canada are citizens by birth (with narrow exceptions for children of diplomats)
- By descent — persons born abroad to a Canadian citizen parent may acquire citizenship, subject to generation limits
- By grant (naturalization) — permanent residents may apply for citizenship after meeting physical presence, language, and other requirements (generally three years of physical presence in Canada in the five years before application)
How this term is used
Canadian citizenship acquired by grant requires that the applicant have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the five years immediately before the application. The presence requirement was changed in 2017 — prior temporary resident time counts at a rate of one half day per day (up to a maximum of 365 days credit).