Canadian Citizenship Test Process

Applying for Canadian Citizenship

In the process of becoming a citizen in Canada, passing the citizenship test is one of the fundamental steps. The Citizenship Test is the final step before the citizenship ceremony where a person becomes a Canadian citizen. The oath of citizenship is administered in a formal ceremony once you pass the citizenship test.

For the citizenship test, applicants who are between 14 and 64 years of age, specifically for applications received on or after June 11, 2015, are required to demonstrate adequate knowledge of Canada. The purpose of the test is to see how well the applicant knows about Canada such as the rights and freedoms, your responsibilities as a Canadian citizen, how much you know about the Canadian history and geography, Canadian symbols and being able to demonstrate adequate knowledge of either English or French.

How do I Qualify for the Canadian Citizenship Test

When submitting an application for Canadian Citizenship there are basic requirements you need to meet. These requirements include:

•  18 years of age or older
•  Permanent Resident of Canada (PR card holder)
•  Able to speak and write in English or French
•  Have no criminal inadmissibility issues
• Not be on removal order
•  Meeting tax requirements
•  Meeting residency requirements (must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1095 days during the five years right before the date you sign your application)
•  Intention to remain in Canada

How do I prepare for the Canadian Citizenship Test

The test for citizenship is usually conducted in writing. However, it may also be conducted orally by a citizenship officer. This test envisages various topics on Canada including the political and electoral structure in Canada (federal and provincial), the justice system in Canada, Canadian history and systems in modern Canada, Canadian symbols, the geographical and cultural aspects of the various regions of Canada and the Canadian economy. Most importantly, the applicants are tested on the adequate knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of a Canadian citizen.

An official guide for the citizenship test, named Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, is available from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada free of cost. This guide is mailed to you after the application is received by the department. This guide can be the best and sufficient resource for an applicant to prepare the Canadian citizenship test. A copy of Discover Canada can also be downloaded by an applicant from the website of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The website also contains an audio version of the guide.

Can I reschedule my Canadian Citizenship Test if I am not able to attend it

On application for citizenship, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada would send a notice inviting you to write the citizenship test along with the day, date and time of the citizenship test. The notice of invitation would have details as to how to reschedule the citizenship test in case you are not able to attend the test.

What happens if I missed the Canadian Citizenship Test

The steps you would take on missing a citizenship test would depend on if the notice inviting you for the test was the first or the final notice. First notice is when you are invited for the first time to write the exam upon your application. If you do not write the test and do not contact the department or you contact the department but do not have a valid reason for not writing the test, you will be automatically rescheduled and will receive another invitation to write the exam. This invitation would be the final notice.

If you missed the first invitation to write the test, you can contact the department as would be mentioned in the notice of invitation or wait to be rescheduled automatically. You have 30 days from the day of the test to intimate the department along with the reason as to why you missed the test. The local office handling the application will decide if the reason for missing the test was valid. If the reason if considered valid, you would be sent another notice with a new test date and this new notice will be considered valid in case you miss this new date. If the reason is not considered valid, you will be treated as if you missed the test and did not contact the department. In that case, you would be sent another invitation and that invitation would be considered as the final notice.

If you have missed test for which you were invited by a final notice, you would have 30 days to contact the department to inform them about missing the test by final notice, along with reasons for missing the test. The local office handling the test will decide if the reason for missing the test was valid. If the reason is considered valid, you would receive another final notice with a fresh exam date. On missing the final notice, if you did not contact the department or you did not have a valid reason for missing the test, the department my close the application for citizenship and therefore have to go through the process all over again.

When do I know if I have passed the Canadian Citizenship Test

Often times, you are informed of the result right after you take it. Sometimes, you are informed by a mail along with the date and time of the ceremony. The mail arrives about two to four weeks before the ceremony. If you are attending a hearing with a citizenship officer or a citizenship judge, you will receive a mail informing you of the decision of the officer or the judge, either granting citizenship or otherwise. If they grant you citizenship you will be asked to attend a citizenship ceremony.

Contact Akrami & Associates

If you like to apply for Canadian Citizenship there are certain requirements you need to meet prior to applying. If you are unsure of the requirements call Akrami and Associates today at 416-477-2545, our immigration experts will assess your situation and determine your eligibility to apply.

With Akrami & Associates there is always a way!!