08/27/2021
6 BENEFITS YOU WILL GET WHEN YOU APPLY FOR CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP
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What are the benefits of applying for Canadian citizenship? This is a question that lingers to most people. However, the ultimate goal of almost all permanent residents is to become a Canadian citizen. In this article, we will try to answer this question.
1. Active Participation in the Country’s Politics.
Do you want to vote or run for any political office in Canada? The only way you can achieve either of this is through becoming a citizen of Canada. Then, and only then, you can have a say and active role on the political life of the country. As a Canadian citizen, you can participate in the nation’s political at any level—from the grassroots to the federal level.
2. Enjoying Benefits of Dual citizenship with Your Home Country
Aside from enjoying the right to vote or run for a provincial, federal, or even territorial elections, to become a Canadian citizen does not necessarily (depending on your home country) mean you have to renounce your previous citizenship. Canadian constitution has a provision for dual citizenship. You can become a Canadian citizen while still retaining your citizenry status in your home country.
3. Right to Do High-Level Jobs in The Federal Government
Some jobs in the federal government require high-level security and can only be done by citizens. After acquiring Canadian citizenship, you become eligible for such a post and, therefore, a chance to fully participate in building the country. Just like most countries, government jobs in Canada are among the most stable jobs. Also, federal government jobs are among the most paying jobs not to mention the pension and among other benefits that comes with government jobs— an excellent motivator to join Canada’s public service.
4. Ease of Renewing Passport
It is relatively easy and faster when it comes to renewing a Canadian passport than renewing a permanent resident card. For minors 16 years and younger, Canadians can hold a valid passport for five years, while adults can hold a valid passport for five to ten years; depending on type of passport you opted. As a citizen, you will sleep soundly without having to worry about meeting the minimum requirements of being a permanent resident. You won’t have to worry about being deported, renew your citizenship, or lose your status.
As a permanent resident, you have to renew your card after every five years. This means that you have to part with some money for processing fees and have to deal with the inconvenience of waiting for a new card (currently 99 days) after every five years. For frequent visitors, it will be a major travel issue without mention the cost and time needed to process a passport from the immigrants’ home country.
5. Your Children Will Automatically Become Canadians
Whether you are born elsewhere or in Canada, children born in Canada automatically become a Canadian citizen. If you came to Canada with your children and acquired citizenship through naturalization, children below 18 years of age will also become citizens and won’t have to go through all the process that you (either of the parent) went through. Your children will enjoy the rights and privileges that all Canadian citizens enjoy.
6. Tax Benefits
The taxation system in Canada works based on residency rather than citizenship. This means that as a Canadian citizen, you will be able to work abroad and not pay Canadian taxes. You only return taxes if you are a Canadian citizen who lives within the Canadian borders.
Canadian citizenship comes with other numerous benefits
To start with, as a Canadian citizen, traveling to the United States is very easy since you are not required to apply for a United States tourist visa, or any other visa for that matter. This makes it easy to cross the borders without delays as well as enjoying employment in any state as long as it is covered under the NAFTA treaty.
Subsequently, you will be able to travel the world freely, work, or stay there for as long as you like. You may also enter, exit, and re-enter Canada whenever you want without any restrictions or limitations. This is not the case with permanent residency. To keep your status as a Canadian permanent resident, in a five-year period, you are required to live in Canada for at least two years. Otherwise, you risk losing your residency status.
As a permanent resident, you will work and pay taxes to the Canadian government, but there are certain social and public benefits you won’t be able to enjoy. For instance, there is public health insurance you won’t be able to benefit from, and you will be forced to go for alternative premiums, which may be expensive.
Do you want to become a Canadian citizen? Send us a private message now and you could be on your way to Canada.
