For various and individual reasons, many people who become Canadian Permanent Residents long to become Canadian citizens. The sense of becoming part of the Canadian family is soul-satisfying! It is the destination of the whole journey of the Canadian immigration that many pursue.
People can come up with more benefits than these to transition from permanent residence to Canadian citizenship, because everyone’s goals are different, as well as everyone’s journey.
Canadian citizenship comes with security and pride, as well as others benefits that permanent residence doesn’t offer
Better Protection Against Losing Status
It is possible for permanent residents to be deported no matter how long they have lived in Canada. The best way to secure one’s status in Canada is to become a citizen – which most permanent residents can acquire.
However, there are only a few instances where citizenship status can be revoked. According to the Canadian law, a person’s citizenship can be revoked if it was obtained by false representation, fraud, or knowingly concealing material circumstances. Other reasons to revoke citizenship relate to security, human or international rights violations, or organized crime.
More Job Opportunities
Canadian citizens can apply for jobs that are unavailable to permanent residents and temporary foreign workers. Some federal or government jobs and some jobs that require security clearances are only available to Canadian citizens.
Non-Renewal of Status
When you are a Canadian citizen, whether by birth or by naturalization, you do not need to renew your citizenship status. When people become permanent residents, they are issued PR cards valid for five years at a time – within which one could meet residencystatus to become a Canadian citizen. If a personcan’t become a citizen prior to theexpiry of the card, it must be renewed. Permanent residents need to be physically present in Canada for 1,095 days out the past five years before applying for citizenship.
Once citizenship is acquired, there is no need to renew citizenship status. Citizenship certificates are valid indefinitely.
The Right to Canadian Passport
Citizens get access to Canadian passport, as well as allow dual citizenships. This could let those who wish hold two passports at a time – if the other country allows for dual citizenship.In the event where the other country does not allow dual citizenships, then a permanent residents may assess the benefits and losses of having one passport over the other.
However, many countries allow Canadian passport holders to enter without a visa for certain purposes, which is a big win of not having to apply for visas to enter many countries around the world.
The Right to Vote
Canadian citizens can vote in all elections, as well as run for office and represent constituents on issues that are important to Canadians. This privilege and opportunity are not available to permanent residents no matter how long they stay in Canada.
When permanent residents become Canadian citizens, it benefits both themselves and Canada. Immigrants are able to vote, participate in political engagements, and even improve immigrants’ economic wellbeing.
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