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Canadian Citizenship

Canadian Citizenship - Edmonton Immigration Lawyers

Becoming a Canadian citizen is a profound milestone, the culmination of years of building a life in this country. At Salloum and Company, our Edmonton immigration lawyers help permanent residents navigate the citizenship process with confidence, from assessing eligibility and preparing applications to representing clients at hearings and in cases involving refusals or appeals.

The path to citizenship involves meeting specific residency, language, and knowledge requirements, and the process has become increasingly rigorous in recent years. For many applicants, the journey is straightforward but for others, questions about time spent outside Canada, prior criminal charges, or procedural issues can create serious complications. Our team has the experience to guide you through both.

Whether you are applying for the first time, responding to a request for additional information, or challenging a refusal, Salloum and Company provides the strategic, personalized legal support your citizenship application deserves.

Citizenship Applications

To apply for Canadian citizenship, most permanent residents must demonstrate that they have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the five years before applying, meet language requirements in English or French, and pass the citizenship knowledge test. We review each client’s eligibility carefully including calculating physical presence, assessing language documentation, and ensuring the application is complete and accurate before submission.

Physical Presence & Residency Calculations

The physical presence requirement is one of the most common sources of error and delay in citizenship applications. Travel outside Canada, extended absences, and time spent as a temporary resident before becoming a permanent resident all affect the calculation. Our lawyers conduct detailed, date-by-date residency analyses to confirm eligibility and flag any issues before they become problems with IRCC.

Citizenship Test & Interview Preparation

Most applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 are required to pass a written citizenship test on Canadian history, values, institutions, and symbols. In some cases, IRCC may schedule an in-person interview instead of or in addition to the test. We help clients prepare thoroughly and where interviews are scheduled, we provide guidance on what to expect and how to present their case.

Citizenship for Minors & Stateless Persons

Applications for citizenship on behalf of minor children, and applications involving individuals who are stateless or who have complex family circumstances, require careful legal attention. We advise families on how to include dependent children in citizenship applications and assist stateless persons in navigating the particular rules and protections available under Canadian law.

Responding to IRCC Requests & Delays

IRCC may issue requests for additional documents, schedule interviews, or place an application in extended processing. When this happens, a well-prepared and timely response can make the difference between approval and refusal. We assist clients in responding to IRCC correspondence, addressing concerns about residency, language, or identity, and managing the procedural aspects of stalled applications.

Citizenship Refusals & Appeals

If a citizenship application is refused, the applicant has the right to appeal to the Federal Court of Canada. Common grounds for refusal include failure to meet the physical presence requirement, language deficiencies, concerns about the accuracy of the application, or a finding of prohibitions such as an outstanding criminal charge. Our lawyers review refusal decisions in detail, assess the grounds of appeal, and provide skilled Federal Court representation where warranted.

Citizenship Prohibitions & Inadmissibility

Certain circumstances can make an applicant ineligible for citizenship, including being charged with or convicted of an indictable offence, being under a removal order, or having been found inadmissible on security, human rights, or organized crime grounds. We advise clients on whether a prohibition applies to their situation, how long it lasts, and what steps, if any, can be taken to address it.

Why Choose Salloum and Company

  • Detailed physical presence calculations to confirm eligibility before filing
  • Experience with complex cases involving extended absences, prior criminal matters, or prohibitions
  • Skilled Federal Court representation for citizenship refusals and appeals
  • Clear, practical guidance at every stage from application to ceremonyClear, practical guidance at every stage from application to ceremony

FAQs

Find answers to some of the most common questions our clients ask about our services and the legal process.

How long do I need to have been a permanent resident before applying for citizenship?
You must have been a permanent resident for at least one of the five years before applying and physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in those five years. Time as a temporary resident before PR can count as half-days, up to 365 days.
Yes. Every day outside Canada as a permanent resident counts as a day absent. If your total physical presence falls below 1,095 days in the relevant five-year period, your application will be refused.
The citizenship test covers Canada’s history, values, institutions, rights and responsibilities, and geography. It is based on Discover Canada. Applicants aged 18–54 must score 15 out of 20 or higher to pass.
Yes. A citizenship prohibition applies if you have been charged with or convicted of an indictable offence in Canada or a comparable offence abroad during the relevant period.
A citizenship refusal can be challenged at the Federal Court through an application for judicial review. Leave applications must be filed within 30 days of the refusal — acting quickly is critical.
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