7 Reasons Why Canadian Permanent Residents Should Become Citizens As Soon As They Qualify

Recent news reports show that permanent residents in Canada are turning their backs on citizenship in ever-increasing numbers:

StatCan numbers reveal the percentage of?permanent residents?who become Canadians has plummeted over the past 20 years.

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship says?Statistics Canada?data points to a 40 per cent decline in citizenship uptake since 2001.

While StatCan doesn't provide a reason for the decline in citizenship, one commentator is quoted as saying that the high cost of living and lack of job prospects are likely factors.

Maybe.

Personally I think there are two big reasons why the numbers are likely in decline: China and India. Both of those countries have become huge sources of immigration for Canada -- but neither of them allow for dual citizenship. This makes the citizenship decision a little tougher for citizens of those countries than it does for, say, a citizen of Italy, Germany, or the United States, all of whom allow for dual citizenship.

I also hear people say that taking up citizenship is no big deal anyway, because being a permanent resident is virtually the same as being a Canadian citizen, so why bother going through the process?

I disagree. As an immigrant citizen myself, it's my view that permanent residents should apply for citizenship if they qualify to do so, and the sooner the better. I believe that the perks outweigh any negatives, especially if they are allowed to carry dual citizenship.

Here are seven reasons why permanent residency is not the same as citizenship, and why becoming a citizen is in your best interest:

1. Permanent Residents Can Get Deported

This is the big one. If you are convicted of a serious crime, you can lose your PR status and be removed from Canada.

Parliament defines a serious crime as one that carries a possible maximum sentence of 10+ years in prison or an offence for which a term of imprisonment of more than six months has been imposed.

Note, then, that from an immigration point of view, the crime is a lot more meaningful than the punishment. For example, drunk driving is considered a serious crime. Even if you only receive probation and a driving ban for it, you can still receive a deportation order. If that happens:

• you are permanently barred from returning to Canada and cannot return unless you apply for an?Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC).
• if border officials pay for your removal from Canada, you must also repay that cost before you are eligible to return.

"But I'm a good person," you might say. "None of this will ever matter to me."

Fair enough. Just bear in mind that an extra glass of wine, an argument in a parking lot, or anything else that could lead to trouble can have serious consequences for your immigration status.

Important: These rules also apply if you commit a crime outside of Canada that would be considered a "serious crime" in Canada. So while you are visiting relatives back home, or if you're on vacation virtually anywhere, make sure you stay on the right side of the law.

2. Permanent Residents Have To Be Present In Canada

Or at least they have to be present quite a bit. While a Canadian citizen can travel for however long they want and not worry about their status back home, permanent residents need to keep track of their days away.

Bottom line: You must be in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years or you may lose your PR status.

Two scenarios:

Let's say you're from France and living in Toronto as a permanent resident. You haven't bothered to pursue dual citizenship because being a PR is practically the same thing, right? While visiting Paris, you get a great job offer. The boss says you can start next week. Then you tell the French employer that you need to be physically present in Canada for a total of two years out of the next five years. Is the job still yours?

How about if a family member is ill. Let's say you've been travelling in and out of Canada for a couple of years. Then you get the dreaded phone call that someone back home is ill. You want to go home to take care of them, but your mind is already on the calendar. How many days have you burned? How many do you have left to spend? How much will it cost to fly back and forth while you satisfy your PR requirements?

Get rid of the stress. Citizenship allows you to be more flexible when life hits you with good or bad surprises.

3. Permanent Residents Can't Vote

Don't like the mayor? Want a different Prime Minister? You may not be a political person, but perhaps you want a say in how your community is run. Right now, that isn't possible for permanent residents. They cannot vote in city, provincial, or federal elections. Only Canadian citizens can. Same goes if you wish to run for office.

4. The Canadian Passport Is Powerful

Permanent residents do not get a Canadian passport. That's too bad, because the Canadian passport is one of the most travel-friendly passports in the world. It allows visa-free travel to 180+ countries.

Crossing the border into the United States with a Canadian passport is a breeze, and Canadian citizens can stay in the US for up to six months. Conversely, if you're an Australian or UK citizen PR who's been living in Canada for even 30 years, you must still apply for an ESTA to get over the US border and your maximum stay is 90 days.

5. The Canadian Passport Is Safe

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia shows what can happen to a passport if a country falls out with world opinion.

Russia currently faces calls for its citizens to be banned from participating in tennis tournaments and the Olympics. There are reports that pregnant Russian women have travelled to Argentina to give birth to their children there, assuring the child of Argentinian citizenship. Banks are giving extra scrutiny to accounts owned by Russian citizens. Russia itself has threatened not to renew its own citizens' passports if they lose favour with the Russian government. In short, the Russian passport has become unreliable.

As things stand right now, it's tough to imagine the Canadian passport losing its lustre to anything close to that degree. Securing a Canadian passport means securing peace.

6. Citizens Can Be Outside Of Canada When Sponsoring A Spouse

I handle a lot of spousal sponsorship cases. One shocker for permanent residents is that they have to be physically present in Canada to sponsor a foreign spouse to Canada. They cannot be living overseas when they apply.

In the example above, we talked about a permanent resident from France going back home for a job. Let's say that person falls in love with someone while living in Paris. It would not be possible for them to sponsor that spouse to Canada while living in France.

Meanwhile, a Canadian citizen can start the process no matter where they live, provided they show that the couple intends to eventually live in Canada.

7. Children Born Outside Canada To A Canadian Parent Are Canadian

A child born outside Canada to a Canadian parent is automatically a citizen by birth if they are the first generation born outside of Canada.

Meanwhile, a child born outside of Canada to a permanent resident must go through the permanent residency and citizenship process. It does not matter how long you have been a permanent resident. If you are outside Canada and have a child, your child will not be a citizen or even a permanent resident of Canada.

Naturally if your child is born inside Canada, none of this matters. They are Canadian at birth, with some rare exceptions for the children of diplomats.

Become A Citizen As Soon As Possible

If you are a permanent resident of Canada who has lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years, then you are well on your way to being eligible for citizenship.

My advice to you is to become a citizen as soon as you can, especially if your country of origin allows you to have dual citizenship. Contact me to discuss the process and to get started.

Marwa Badra is a certified member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) and has been with Pace Immigration for over 16 years. She specializes in business and investor immigration. Marwa is fluent in Arabic and English and travels extensively in the Middle East and surrounding areas, with a special focus on Egypt. Sean Berry contributed to this article.