Author: KBI Team

Becoming a Canadian citizen is a significant milestone, and the citizenship test is one of the final steps in the journey. This guide will help you prepare for the test, understand the format, and ensure you’re ready for success.

What Is the Canadian Citizenship Test?

The Canadian citizenship test evaluates your knowledge of Canada’s history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols. The test is available in both English and French and lasts 45 minutes. It consists of 20 questions in multiple-choice or true/false format. To pass, you must answer at least 15 of the 20 questions correctly.

Most applicants take the test online. However, you can request to take the test in other formats (such as in person or through Microsoft Teams) if you have issues with accessibility, accessing the internet, or removing a face covering.

If you don’t pass on the first try, you get two more attempts within 30 days. If you fail all three attempts, you will be invited to a hearing with a citizenship official.

Who Needs to Take the Citizenship Test?

To be eligible for the Canadian citizenship test, you must meet all the requirements to become a citizen, including:

• Being a Canadian permanent resident

• Living in Canada for at least three out of the last five years

• Filing your taxes

• Proving your language skills

Note: Temporary residents and protected persons can count each day spent in Canada as a half-day towards the residency requirement, up to a maximum of 365 days.

If you’re between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your citizenship application, you must take the test. Those under 18 or over 54 are exempt but may be invited for an interview.

Once you submit your citizenship application, you will receive an acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) after IRCC confirms your application is complete. About a week after receiving your AOR, you should expect an invitation to schedule your test. If you provided your email address, this invitation will come via email.

How to Prepare for the Canadian Citizenship Test

To prepare for the test, study the official guide called Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. The guide is available in various formats:

• Read it online

• Listen to the MP3 version

• Download the PDF or ebook

• Order a paper copy

The time you’ll need to study depends on your learning style and familiarity with the content. Once you feel comfortable with the material, practice tests are a great way to reinforce your knowledge. While there are no official government practice tests, some resources like CitizenshipCounts.ca and Richmond Public Library offer free practice tests that simulate the real thing.

What to Expect on Test Day

Before the Test

• Schedule your test at a convenient time within the 30-day window after receiving the invitation.

• Ensure you have everything you need, including:

• Identification

• A compatible device and browser

• Reliable internet

• A working webcam

• A quiet, well-lit space

During the Test

• Make sure your webcam is turned on and your face is visible.

• Remove personal information from the view of the camera.

• Close other windows, programs, and turn off any VPN.

• Store away other electronic devices with internet access.

• Do not consult any notes or other people during the test.

After the Test

Once you’ve submitted your answers, your results will be generated automatically. You will be notified about your official results within a few months.

If you pass, you’ll be informed of the next steps, which may include an interview with a citizenship official and, finally, your citizenship ceremony. At the ceremony, you’ll sing the Canadian national anthem and take the Oath of Citizenship. After taking the Oath, you officially become a Canadian citizen.

Preparing for the Canadian citizenship test may seem daunting, but with the right resources and study habits, it can be manageable. Follow this guide, use the Discover Canada study guide, and take advantage of practice tests to build your confidence. Soon, you’ll be ready to join thousands of others in proudly becoming a Canadian citizen.

Ready to take the next step towards Canadian citizenship? Start studying today and prepare to ace your test!

As a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner (“partner”) for Canadian permanent residency. Provided that you and your partner meet the requirements, your partner can apply directly to the federal government for permanent residency, making spousal sponsorship one of the more direct and sure-fire routes to PR. You can also sponsor your partner’s dependent children.

If your partner is in Canada, they may be eligible for a spousal open work permit (SOWP) while their PR application is being processed.

Who is eligible to be a sponsor

To qualify as a sponsor for your partner under Canada’s spousal sponsorship program, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Canadian Indian Act

• Be able to provide for the basic needs of your family

• Not be receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability

If you’re a permanent resident, you must also be within Canada. If you’re a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must demonstrate that you’ll move to Canada to live with your partner once they get PR.

In addition to meeting the above criteria, you must also not be in any disqualifying situations.

Disqualifying situations

You may be barred from sponsoring your spouse, partner, and any dependents if you:

• Were sponsored by a partner and gained permanent resident status less than five years ago

• Are still bound by a three-year financial undertaking to support a previous partner

• Have defaulted on an immigration loan, court-ordered family support payments, or other financial obligations outlined in a previous sponsorship agreement

• Have been convicted of a violent crime or sexual offence

• Are under a removal order

• Are currently in jail or prison

Residents of Quebec

Residents of Quebec must meet the province’s specific sponsorship requirements, including submitting an application to both IRCC and the Ministère de l’immigration, de la francisation et de l’intégration (MIFI). Quebec also imposes a distinct income assessment and undertaking commitments for sponsors.

Note: As of June 26, 2024, the MIFI has imposed a 13,000 cap on family sponsorship applications, which remains in effect until June 25, 2026.

Whom you are allowed to sponsor

As a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, and their dependent children (if applicable). Your partner must be at least 18 years of age and admissible to Canada.

Spouses

Your marriage must be legally recognized in both the country where it took place and in Canada. Proxy, telephone, email, internet, or self-uniting marriages are not valid for immigration purposes.

Common-law relationships

To sponsor a common-law partner, you must demonstrate a significant degree of commitment and show that you have lived together for at least 12 consecutive months.

Conjugal partners

Conjugal partners are those unable to live together or marry due to legal, cultural, or religious barriers. This category is typically used for couples who face immigration or social obstacles that prevent them from living together.

The two forms of spousal sponsorship

Spousal sponsorship can be pursued through two routes:

• Inland sponsorship: For couples already living together in Canada. The sponsored partner may apply for an open work permit while awaiting the PR decision.

• Outland sponsorship: For partners living outside Canada. Outland sponsorship allows for travel in and out of Canada during processing.

Your undertaking obligation

Sponsors commit to financially supporting their partner for three years after they obtain PR. If you sponsor your partner, you are responsible for their basic needs (e.g., food, shelter, clothing) during this time.

What to expect during the sponsorship interview

In some cases, IRCC may require you and your partner to attend a sponsorship interview. The interview is designed to verify the authenticity of your relationship and ensure the application is not fraudulent.

Costs associated with spousal sponsorship

The costs to sponsor your partner include application fees, medical exams, and biometrics. As of the time of writing, the basic application fee for spousal sponsorship is CAD 1,080. Additional fees may apply for dependent children and other requirements like the open work permit.

The processing time for inland sponsorship applications is approximately 28 months, while outland sponsorship typically takes around 12 months.

Ready to reunite with your loved one? Contact us at Kingsbridge Immigration to get started on your spousal sponsorship application today!

If you are a Canadian permanent resident over the age of 18 and have lived in Canada for more than three of the last five years, you may be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. Citizenship offers several benefits, including the ability to participate in elections, hold a Canadian passport, and maintain dual citizenship. Here’s everything you need to know to apply.

Eligibility Overview

To become a naturalized Canadian citizen, you must meet the following requirements according to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):

• Be a permanent resident of Canada.

• Have lived in Canada for at least 3 out of the last 5 years (physical presence).

• Have filed your income taxes in Canada for at least three of the last five years.

• Prove your language skills in English or French.

• Pass a citizenship test.

• Take the Oath of Citizenship.

The Application Process

1. Online Application:

Most applicants can apply for Canadian citizenship online using IRCC’s web form. However, you must apply on paper if:

• You include time spent outside of Canada as a crown servant or family member of a crown servant.

• You want a representative to complete and submit your application for you.

If applying on paper, you can request an application package from the IRCC website.

2. Fees:

Fees must be paid online and include both a processing fee and the right of citizenship fee. IRCC recommends paying fees only when you are ready to submit your application. If you are submitting multiple applications, you can pay the fees either separately or together.

3. Submitting Your Application:

You must meet the eligibility requirements at least the day before you sign your application form. IRCC will return your application if they receive it more than 90 days after the date on the form. Use a postal or courier service with tracking to ensure your application is delivered safely.

Proof of Language Skills

Applicants aged 18 to 54 must provide proof of their language proficiency in English or French. IRCC defines adequate language skills as:

• Taking part in everyday conversations.

• Understanding simple instructions and directions.

• Using basic grammar.

• Knowing common words and phrases.

IRCC accepts certificates, diplomas, and standardized language tests as proof. Language skills will also be evaluated during your citizenship test and interview.

Citizenship Test

IRCC will send an invitation to schedule the test after processing your application. The test includes 20 multiple-choice or true/false questions about Canadian history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols. You need to answer 15 out of 20 questions correctly to pass. You have up to 30 days and three attempts to complete the test. Failing three attempts will result in a hearing with a citizenship official.

You can take the test online, in person, or via Microsoft Teams, depending on accessibility requirements. Use the official study guide, Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, to prepare for the test.

Citizenship Ceremony

The citizenship ceremony is the final step in the process. You will be invited to attend online or in person, depending on your situation. During the ceremony, you will:

• Take the Oath of Citizenship.

• Receive your citizenship certificate.

• Sign the Oath form.

• Sing the national anthem.

You must bring personal identification, your ceremony notice, and your permanent resident card or confirmation of permanent residence. After the ceremony, you will officially become a Canadian citizen.

Processing Times

IRCC currently advises that it takes around seven months to process citizenship applications. Exceptional cases, such as those requiring citizenship for a job or urgent travel, may be processed faster.

Prohibitions

If you have committed a crime inside or outside Canada, you may not be eligible for citizenship for a certain period. Time spent in prison or on parole does not count toward the physical presence requirement.

Ready to become a Canadian citizen? Start your application today and begin the final steps toward this life-changing achievement.

If you’re seeking Canadian permanent residence (PR) through Express Entry, moving back to your home country could potentially boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. While it may seem counterintuitive, leaving Canada can help you gain additional points, especially if you haven’t yet maxed out your foreign work experience skill transferability factor.

Foreign Work Experience and CRS Points

Foreign nationals can gain up to 50 CRS points for foreign work experience under the skill transferability factor. If you haven’t yet reached 100 skill transferability points, gaining international skilled work experience in your home country could be highly beneficial.

Working in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) abroad allows you to accumulate foreign work experience, which can significantly improve your CRS score. Combining at least three years of foreign work experience with a CLB 9 language score or two years of Canadian work experience can help you gain these 50 points, potentially pushing your score above the cut-off needed for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in Express Entry draws.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Eligibility

It’s important to note that candidates who leave Canada are still eligible for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws if they meet the requirements. To qualify, candidates need at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, which must have been gained within three years prior to applying. IRCC often prioritizes in-Canada candidates under the CEC program, giving those applicants a higher chance of receiving an ITA.

Additional Ways to Improve Your CRS Score While Abroad

While living abroad, you may also have opportunities to improve your CRS score in other ways:

Improve Language Skills: You can earn up to 160 points for language proficiency in English or French. Re-taking language tests to achieve a higher CLB score or learning French can both significantly improve your chances of receiving an ITA.

Gain Additional Education: If you pursue a higher degree while abroad, this could help boost your score. After completing your education, you can get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify that your foreign degree is equivalent to a Canadian degree.

Obtain a Provincial Nomination: If you qualify for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), receiving a nomination could add 600 points to your CRS score, making you almost guaranteed to receive an ITA in future Express Entry draws.

Spousal Factors

If you marry or enter into a common-law partnership while abroad, you’ll need to update your Express Entry application. Your CRS score may change based on your partner’s qualifications and experience. Alternatively, your spouse could become the primary applicant, which might increase your overall chances of being selected, depending on their CRS score.

Keeping Your Express Entry Profile Active

After submitting your Express Entry profile, it remains in the pool for up to 12 months. Leaving Canada does not affect your application, and you can update your profile with new information, such as additional work experience or improved language test scores.

Why You Should Enter the Express Entry Pool Early

Even if your CRS score isn’t initially high enough to receive an ITA, entering the Express Entry pool early can still be advantageous. IRCC uses a tie-breaking rule for candidates with the same CRS score, based on the date and time of profile submission. Entering the pool sooner increases your chances of receiving an ITA in the event of a tie.

How Kingsbridge Immigration Can Help

At Kingsbridge Immigration, we specialize in providing tailored solutions to help candidates maximize their CRS score and improve their chances of receiving an ITA for permanent residency. Whether you’re working on improving your CRS score through foreign work experience, education, or language skills, our team of experts is here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact Kingsbridge Immigration today to learn how we can assist you in optimizing your Express Entry profile and achieving your goal of Canadian permanent residency.

Canada’s Immigration Department has announced that invitations to apply (ITAs) for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will be issued in 2025. This program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency.

Although in January 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that no new invitations would be sent out this year, the recent update confirms that ITAs will indeed be sent out. These invitations will go to individuals who submitted an interest to sponsor form back in 2020.

IRCC did not specify when the invitations will be sent but promised more information in the coming months. The ITAs will be issued through a lottery system, with sponsors randomly selected from the pool of applicants.

Background on the Parents and Grandparents Program

The PGP is designed to reunite Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their parents and grandparents by allowing them to apply for permanent residency. To qualify, sponsors must meet minimum income requirements, and the applicants must be admissible to Canada.

Since 2020, the intake for the program has been closed, and all ITAs issued in recent years have been for applicants who expressed interest during the 2020 intake period.

Super Visa Program: An Alternative for Family Reunification

For Canadians who cannot sponsor their parents or grandparents under the PGP, the Super Visa provides an alternative. This visa allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods, typically for up to five years at a time, with the option to extend their stay for another two years.

The Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years and grants multiple entries. To qualify, sponsors must meet income requirements, and the applicants must secure health insurance for the duration of their stay. Recent changes to the program have expanded options for purchasing health coverage, making it easier for foreign nationals to meet these requirements.

Navigating immigration programs such as the Parents and Grandparents Program or Super Visa can be complex. At Kingsbridge Immigration, we specialize in assisting families with their sponsorship applications, ensuring all requirements are met for a successful outcome. Our experienced team is here to provide expert guidance every step of the way, from preparing your application to meeting eligibility criteria.

Whether you’re looking to reunite with your parents or grandparents or need help exploring the Super Visa program, Kingsbridge Immigration is here to help make the process as smooth and efficient as possible.

Contact Kingsbridge Immigration today to learn how we can assist with your family sponsorship needs.

Moving to a new country offers many opportunities, but it also involves understanding and adapting to a new financial system. Protecting your personal information and finances is one of the essential steps you should take as you settle into your new life in Canada.

This guide will help you recognize common types of financial fraud and share tips to safeguard yourself against potential risks.

What is Financial Fraud?

Financial fraud occurs when someone deceives you to gain access to your money or sensitive financial information. It often exploits a person’s trust, and as a newcomer to Canada, you might be unfamiliar with certain scams or financial practices, making you a potential target for fraudsters. By learning what to watch out for, you can protect yourself from these types of risks.

Common Types of Fraud in Canada

Here are some common scams that newcomers might encounter:

1. Rental Scams

Finding a place to live can be a top priority when you arrive in Canada. Scammers may post fake rental listings, advertising properties they don’t own. They might claim to be unavailable for in-person viewings and ask for a deposit or first month’s rent upfront. After receiving the money, they often disappear. To avoid this, always verify listings and avoid paying deposits before seeing the property.

2. Phone Scams

Scammers often impersonate government representatives, such as from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), to demand fake debts. They may use aggressive language or threats to pressure you into acting quickly. Government agencies in Canada will never threaten you over the phone or demand immediate payment, so be cautious with these calls.

3. Immigration Consultant Scams

As you navigate the immigration process, you might encounter fraudulent consultants who take payment without delivering the promised services, such as job offers or citizenship paperwork. Before hiring an immigration consultant, verify their credentials through official Canadian registries to ensure they are legitimate.

Tips to Protect Your Personal and Financial Information

To safeguard yourself from fraud, here are some practical steps:

1. Be Mindful When Shopping Online

Before making an online purchase, review the website’s reputation, customer reviews, and refund policies. This can help you avoid unreliable sellers and protect your financial information.

2. Think Before You Share Personal Information

Be selective about sharing sensitive details such as your birthdate, phone number, or address. Only share this information with trusted businesses or individuals.

3. Pause Before Acting on Urgent Requests

Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to make quick decisions. If something feels rushed, take a step back, consult someone you trust, and research before proceeding.

4. Be Cautious with Emails and Links

If you receive an unexpected email from an unknown sender, avoid clicking on links or opening attachments. Scammers often impersonate reputable companies to disguise harmful emails.

5. Keep Passwords Private

Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts and avoid sharing them with others. Be careful not to enter passwords on public or shared devices.

While fraud can take many forms, staying informed and cautious can help protect your finances and personal information as you adjust to life in Canada. If you ever feel uncertain about a situation, take the time to verify the source or consult a trusted individual before acting. By being proactive, you can avoid falling victim to financial fraud and enjoy a secure experience as you settle into your new home.