Over the next three years, Canada will receive over 1.45 million new immigrants through its various immigration programs, aiming to integrate these newcomers to enhance the country’s economy, demographics, and culture. The influx of immigrants is vital for Canada’s ongoing prosperity. The country aims not only to integrate newcomers as permanent residents but also to eventually welcome them as citizens with strong connections and a vested interest in Canada’s development and growth.
Given that Canada is largely a nation of immigrants, it is valuable to understand the origins of future Canadians, especially in light of the newest immigration targets. Recent IRCC data provides some intriguing insights into this matter.
Top Source Countries of 2022
In 2022, 374,554 permanent residents became Canadian citizens.This marks a significant rise from 2021, when just over a third of that number (137,079) transitioned to citizenship. It also represents a moderate increase from pre-pandemic figures, with 250,000 new citizens welcomed in 2019. This trend indicates that Canada’s immigration system is returning to normal and effectively meeting domestic needs.The most common country of birth among new citizens in 2022 was India, followed by the Philippines and Syria.
Below are the top ten birth countries of permanent residents (PRs) who transitioned to Canadian citizens:
- India (59,503 PRs transitioned to citizens);
- Philippines (41,540 PRs);
- Syria (20,355 PRs);
- Pakistan (15,188);
- Iran (13,082);
- Nigeria (12,670);
- People’s Republic of China (10,722);
- United States of America (9,215);
- France (8,163); and
- Iraq (7,692).
India Remains in the top spot. For the second consecutive year, India has been the leading source of new Canadian citizens. In 2021, Canada welcomed 20,866 new citizens from India, surpassing the Philippines, which had previously been the top source country.
Over the past four years, the top ten source countries for new Canadian citizens have remained relatively consistent, though their rankings have shifted. Notably, there has been a significant increase in the number of Syrian permanent residents transitioning to citizenship, making Syria the third largest source country. This is a major change from 2019, when Syria was not in the top ten at all.
Similarly, Pakistan, which was absent from the top ten in 2019, has become the fourth most common country of birth among new Canadian citizens. In contrast, the People’s Republic of China has dropped from fourth place in 2019 to seventh in 2022.
Pathway from Permanent Residency to Citizenship
Once becoming a permanent resident (PR), individuals must determine their eligibility and timing for applying for Canadian citizenship. To be eligible for Canadian citizenship as a PR, one must:
- Be a permanent resident of Canada;
- File taxes if necessary;
- Pass a Canadian citizenship test (if between the ages of 18-54);
- Prove language skills (if between the ages of 18-54);
- Meet Canada’s physical presence requirements;
If all other criteria are met, a permanent resident (PR) applying for citizenship must have been physically present in Canada for at least three out of the last five years (1,095 days), unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Time spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person can be counted towards the physical presence requirement, with each day counting as half a day, up to a maximum of 365 eligible days. Children under 18 must still be PRs to apply but are exempt from the physical presence requirement.
