Becoming a Canadian citizen is the ultimate desire of many immigrants living in Canada as the North American country boasts of amazing life opportunities.

For immigrants who intend to settle in Canada, applying to become a citizen is often a vital step in putting down roots in the country.

Canadian citizenship gives the holder the right to live, work, and study in the country without restrictions.

Citizenship opens up new opportunities for the holder, such as the ability to apply for jobs that are only available to Canadian citizens.

It also affords the individual access to public services, including education and healthcare, that are sometimes impermissible to foreigners.

Nigerian nationals are eligible for Canadian citizenship, but they have to only go through the application process and the eligibility requirements.

For Nigerians who want to apply to become a Canadian citizen, they must meet certain criteria, which are treated below:

1. Be a permanent resident of Canada
For Nigerians to become Canadian citizens, they must be residents of Canada. This means that Nigerians who want to apply for citizenship must be residing in any part of Canada.

2. Live in Canada for at least three years
Any Nigerian who wants to be a citizen of Canada must have lived in Canada for at least three out of the last five years (1,095 days in total).

3. Have filed all taxes
Canada, like other developed countries, takes their tax payments with seriousness. It is expedient for Nigerians who want to apply for citizenship in Canada to have filed all their taxes.

4. Have good knowledge of Canada
One of the eligibility requirements for Nigerians to become citizens is to know about Canada’s history, languages, and culture to pass a test.

5. Be English or French language proficient
Any Nigerian who wants to be a Canadian citizen must prove the required language skills in English or French. English and French are co-official languages of Canada.

However, regardless of the requirements stated above, no Nigerian national can become a Canadian citizen if they are prohibited under the Citizenship Act.

For example, any Nigerian or other foreigner currently serving a prison term or on parole or probation, cannot apply for citizenship.

However, one can apply for citizenship once the conviction has been spent.

Also, it is pertinent to note that time spent in prison, on parole, or on probation cannot be counted towards the time in Canada when proving to have lived in the country for the required period.

©CDA News Media Limited.