Becoming Canadian

Marrying as an Established Canadian Citizen

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:57:22 +0000

No matter one’s country of residence, there are typically a number of ways in which citizens can get involved with the community at large and bring their own personality aspects and personal pasts to the substance of the nation. In Canada, opportunities for citizens to take part in social and political life abound, and joining in on national customs and past times can be a rewarding way to become closer to the country and its people. Immigrants in Canada may be able to enjoy some opportunities for learning about Canadian customs and ideals and may even get the chance to add their own opinions and thoughts from time to time, but it can be a significant challenge to truly take part in Canadian life without the benefits of citizenship. Though the tradition is certainly not distinct to Canada alone, marriage is an important part of most people’s lives in the country, and planning a community event that brings families and neighbors together to celebrate love and kinship can serve as a major component of one’s experience as a Canadian citizen.

Marriage is sometimes targeted as a route to citizenship in some countries that are desirable to immigrants, and Canada is doubtless among such nations. While instances of so-called marriage fraud may be rare, they do exist, and immigrants without permanent or legal status may find it difficult to rally support for their weddings. When people who have independently declared their desire to contribute to and benefit from inclusion in the Canadian population through applying for citizenship marry, however, there is no reason to suspect foul play, and couples can typically expect a greater degree of community acceptance. Canadians who marry, either within their own communities or ethnic groups or outside of them entirely, can enjoy taking part in a tradition that is highly valued in Canada, and which may also allow for specific family and financial benefits that cannot be secured by immigrants.

Once immigrants have gone through the process of applying for citizenship and receiving it, they are often in a better position to find work, meet new people, and make new friends, allowing them to establish a circle of support around themselves as they journey through life. This circle is often a considerable part of marriage proceedings, providing many enthusiastic and friendly witnesses for the event and welcome guests for the reception. As a Canadian citizen, a bride or groom to be can rely on more opportunities and options both for their ceremony and for their life as part of a married couple living and working in one of the many Canadian provinces. Though passion and eagerness sometimes lead couples to marry as soon as possible, no matter the potential consequences or missed possibilities, saving marriage until Canadian citizenship has been secured is a wise choice, whether immigrants travel to Canada with a fiancé in tow or discover their partner once inside Canada’s borders.

The Benefits of Applying for Canadian Citizenship

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:06:03 +0000

Venturing to Canada as an immigrant is one of the most exciting lifetime experiences reported by many people who land on the nation’s shores or in its major cities and begin to seek out a new life establishment. Home to a wide variety of backgrounds and walks of life, Canada has largely been settled by people from even the most remote places in the world in recent years, allowing the country to take on the positive characteristics of multi-culturalism. There are many benefits associated with visiting Canada, from the scores of natural wonders that allow for soul-soothing treks in the wilderness and incredible photo opportunities to the fun bustle of life in the main cities of each province and well beyond. Those who stay in Canada on a short-term visa are likely to find many reasons to want to stay, and whether the intention was simply to travel for a while or to look for a new potential home, many people decide to plant themselves in Canada’ soil. One of the best ways to grow well once in this soil, of course, is to apply for Canadian citizenship.

If visiting Canada is distinguished for its many opportunities and incentives, becoming a citizen of the country is still more attractive for the range of possibilities it opens to those who apply and successfully complete the process. A large number of immigrants who opt to apply for citizenship are primarily interested in obtaining the right to work, though citizenship can offer more than the simple ability to find and secure a job. Various work benefits that may not be available to short-term visitors or to those without legal status in the country can be obtained by new citizens, allowing them to enjoy better health and prosperity, and potentially to help save for their retirement and add to the well-being of their families. In case work is difficult to find or other issues become pressing, citizens can rely on Canada to help direct and guide them with social programs and opportunities that aren’t often available for others.

Some of the greatest benefits of applying for Canadian citizenship rest not with specific allowances or perks granted by the state itself, but instead with personal satisfaction and peace. Making the decision to become a Canadian citizen can be stressful, and some immigrants may worry that their choice will have negative consequences for their sense of identity and their connections to a former country of residence. Such personal issues shouldn’t stand in the way of personal success, however, especially given the ability of Canadian citizens originally from other lands to bring their stories and traditions along with them in a welcoming environment. Through applying for Canadian citizenship, immigrants can expect to find a great sense of personal accomplishment, which is a major component of the many benefits to be obtained when the test is over and the application has been completed.

Getting to Know Canadians as a New Citizen

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:35:26 +0000

In the presence of new people with distinct traditions and stories to tell, travelers and immigrants are likely to have a great deal to take in and consider. From new religious beliefs or languages to different cuisine choices and other daily elements, new places carry with them a number of new experiences, and the people living in this new place are key to understanding its quirks –as well as it perks and opportunities. Canada is a country marked by a history that has included the immigration of people from an incredible variety of countries, and as a result it has been crafted into a diverse country that holds many cultural treasures for those who are willing to look. Newcomers in Canada are sure to be fascinated by the various aspects of the national lifestyle, from a strong love of the game of hockey to interesting French fusion dishes and well beyond.

Experiencing Canada as an immigrant is largely a personal journey that is navigated with one’s own interests and concerns. Yet through getting to know the people of Canada, one can gain a much deeper and more representative sense of the country, and becoming a Canadian citizen often allows newcomers to get closer to the spirit of what makes Canadians tick.

Canada is notably receptive to immigrants, largely because of the substantial immigrant populations already in place. Over the course of hundreds of years, the country has been molded and smoothed over by the input of people from distinct and distant places, and Canadians understand the importance of being open to others and their ideas. At the same time, however, immigrants who experience Canada without applying for citizenship or taking the citizenship test may find it difficult to understand the many perspectives and stances of the Canadian people. Being a part of the local and national community through voting, participating in social programs, and being involved in other aspects of Canadian life is largely responsible for creating and maintaining a sense of what it means to be Canadian, and immigrants, without the benefit of citizenship, miss out on such opportunities for insight and involvement.

Truly understanding the ideas of the Canadian people and getting to now their stories can benefit greatly from obtaining citizenship oneself. As immigrants go through the process of naturalization and learn about the history of the country along with its modern operation, laws, landmarks, and other essential data, they come to form a closer and more meaningful relationship with the country itself, and with its people by extension. Sharing common ideas and going through life with a sense of the challenges and victories of the Canadian people can greatly increase personal understanding of the national feeling and the nation’s goals, elements which can make a major difference when getting to know others. New citizens can enjoy allowing others to get to know their own stories, too –something that contributes a great deal to the diversity and quality of the country.

Why Some Immigrants Fear the Canadian Citizenship Application

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:04:46 +0000

Canada is a nation that lures many people from all over the globe to its borders and shores each year, and a significant number of people decide to stay in the country –or may even plan on moving to a selected province without having ever visited it personally. Home to a large number of immigrants, Canada offers a standard of living and cultural environment that is inviting to scores of newcomers, though deciding to become a legal and important part of the country itself through obtaining citizenship may be a more difficult decision than crossing a border. Feeling uncertain about applying for Canadian citizenship is an experience shared among many immigrants. Issues of international travel and visiting allowances, personal prospects for establishment and prosperity, and many other considerations are sure to play a part in the overall decision. Yet some immigrants report fearing the citizenship application itself, a concern that can be soothed and remedied through taking a relaxed and sensible approach.

The most obvious answer to the question of why some immigrants would fear the Canadian citizenship test is that it is somehow difficult, and depending on personal background and understanding of such documents, it may well present a challenge. While Canada makes an effort to provide citizenship materials that are able to be navigated by people hailing from other countries, these materials are ultimately imperfect, and some applicants may feel that they are at a disadvantage as compared to others. In nearly any nation on earth, bureaucratic papers and forms can take on the most formal and sometimes confusing language possible, making it difficult even for native speakers to fully understand the meaning of various documents. For those who are new to a country and do not have the benefit of a lifetime of training in its language, applications can seem especially difficult to comprehend, and some may get the idea that they are actually unable to complete the task because of their own lack of understanding. Realizing that even native speakers experience the occasional problem can help immigrants feel more confident about their efforts, and the presence of helpful organizations or even a friend or business contact can help make filling out the application correctly a lot easier.

Aside from this potential logistical block, immigrants may feel intimidated by the prospect of applying for Canadian citizenship because of personal concerns over national identity and sense of self. Such issues are faced by anyone who spends a long time away from home, though the special considerations shared by immigrants often involve understanding just what “home”truly means. Though immigrants are not held to give up any parts of their past or to betray their own beliefs or customs, they may feel that applying for citizenship somehow disconnects them from their past. Through overcoming this issue to embrace Canadian lifestyles while retaining personal identity, immigrants are likely to feel better equipped to take on the challenges of life in a new land.

The Citizenship Test. Canada’s Toolbox

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:36:15 +0000

First of all we need to establish what immigration really means for a country like Canada who opened the immigration traffic back in 1960 with the skilled worker program. As you can guess that very first intent was to regulate the quality of immigrant that got to establish their business in the country. By sorting the candidates under categories and job skills Canada was making sure their social development was getting richer instead of just importing cheap handwork to their market.

Later on the flow of naturalization applications just got higher and higher what ended up in a citizenship test.

New comers to Canada had work visas and needed to prove they could self sustain inside the country boundaries. But what about the Canadian spirit? What about getting involved with Canadian values, making the country their own? That was one of the questions the Canadian government started doing themselves. There was almost no way to ensure immigrant inclusion. The language was another important requirement. When immigrants started coming from Latin America, Asia and Africa the language barriers started to get thicker. That’s when the citizenship test was born. That was a simple solution two the two main issues, the English level of the test ensured that the applicant could understand and communicate in both English and French. The Test content ensures new citizen inclusion and knowledge about the Canadian historical, political and cultural roots. In a way the main focus was to turn that new citizen into a civically active individual that had the possibility and will to vote and impact the day to day society.

The citizenship test is a summary of the Canadian way of life and values, our symbols and our way to see the world. It also gives a head start to all new citizens to be involved in our democratic society and the, for some, odd fact that we are ruled by both a Prime Minister and a Queen. Canada is personified through Elizabeth II in our eyes, a concept difficult to grasp even for someone born in Canadian territories.

The Discover Canada guide used to get prepared for the citizenship test gives a thourough look to our government structure and a even closer look to our democratical voting procedures. It also enumerates the civil rights all citizens have and their responsibilities.

Still the citizenship test is not the only way Canada helps newcomers to integrate. We also have free language courses in French and English to all residents all over the territory. No one is left behind, even refugees are being assisted with language and work inclusion. Our country is rich in cultures and creates a prolific environment for identity and communion.

The citizenship test is just one of the stages to become a true Canadian, not only legally speaking but in mind and spirit. It opens the door to our culture and values. That’s how we like newcomers to see the citizenship test, not as a regulation tool or a filter to avoid them to become citizens but as a set of skills that will help them in their future in our land as well as other places in the world.

The miracle of a nice coup of coffee

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:06:57 +0000

Every morning is a new adventure. Is the magical hour of the day, when your eyes are dancing in their sleep and your ideas maintain those cloudy thoughts of morpheus shapes. Our movements are almost mechanical at that hour, 7 AM is like a bliss. There is no better way to face the Canadian citizenship test than with a great breakfast. Is the little gift we give ourselves every morning with that coup of coffee. The moment when time stops and we start thinking what we want to become, what we already have and what is next to come. Those mornings when you are challenged by a test are the most difficult. You start wishing the day was over, the coming of the next coup of coffee, the one that follows dinner just after you told your family how everything went fine. The closed deal.

And that’s when the miracle happens milk and toast and honey, coffee, beagle and marmalade. The breakfast starts with splendor and might. The moment of the day that can really ease your worries. Sip by sip you imagine the success, you see yourself entering that room, going through the questions as fast as an eagle. Standing up and leaving with a happy face. What would you do after the test?, you start dreaming about the hot dog you will be ordering in the near by park. Maybe you asked the day off at work, and the test only took you half morning. This is a treat for yourself, you are about to become a Canadian citizen in short and you have a whole day to enjoy.

Take it like I’m your best friend urging you to have a great breakfast before the test. It is clinical knowledge that a delightful morning gives you the energy to face intellectual challenges. So what are you going to bake for that special day? Don’t forget that you are about to change forever you will become a Canadian in short and the citizenship test is one of the last steps you need to take.

Banana bread with honey, blueberry muffins with cream, vegetable omelet, pancakes with raspberry syrup you choose. Million options at a glance but make it special.

Wishing you a great start on that challenging day and a terrific breakfast! Success is in your hands…

Canada’s Citizenship Melting Pot

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:17:45 +0000

In some parts of the world, nations have existed for so many years that they’ve created an unmistakable and distinct culture and national identity. Visiting such countries can be thrilling, as the experience often offers the chance to learn new things about settled and established people, many of whom may be well-versed in folklore or may be able to dazzle visitors with examples of national arts or crafts. Yet many countries around the world are relatively young, and do not share this highly specialized sense of identity. Among them, Canada is a nation that presents a strong sense of national pride and which continuously works towards the creation and refinement of national values, but which is young enough to recognize that it is very much in the process of discovering what it means to be a Canadian. Along with Canada’s youth, the country is marked by a great ethnic diversity, thanks to its strong attraction for people around the world and its warm policies towards immigrants and visitors. Representing people from every continent and playing host to newcomers that arrive from the most obscure and remote nations to the largest and most powerful countries in the world, Canada is far from being a homogenous land, and its culture reflects this fact.

Many people seek citizenship in Canada because of the country’s agreeable climate and location, offering nearly every type of landscape in both rural and metropolitan settings. The nation’s stance towards helping people navigate the difficulties of life with social and other programs is also attractive for the scores of newcomers who arrive each year. Once people land in Canada, however, they’re sure to find a large number of other reasons for staying and getting involved with the national and local communities. From the charm of the different provinces to the exciting cuisine and engaging holiday celebrations, Canada offers visitors plenty of perks and opportunities for making fond memories. As the number of Canadian immigrants grows and a greater number of cultures are represented from coast to coast, the country is undeniably enriched and provides ever greater chances for newcomers to fall in love with the country and its people.

Some immigrants may stray from the process of applying for citizenship, though taking the citizenship test and completing all other necessary steps are wise choices for most, particularly when visas are threatening to expire and visitors have decided they’d like to stay within the country’s borders. When immigrants work through citizenship requirements and become Canadians, they can bring more of their national identity and past experiences to Canada, helping to craft the country both through their own cultures and through their voices and votes –elements that are lacking for those who do not achieve permanent status. If Canada’s status as a melting pot is a joy to behold for visitors, it is even more rewarding for newcomers who apply for citizenship and become an essential part of the nation’s multicultural excellence.

Taking up New Traditions After the Canadian Citizenship Test

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:45:30 +0000

When recent immigrants arrive in Canada and go through the process of becoming permanent residents through taking the Canadian citizenship test, there are a large number of tasks and challenges that await them, some of which may be more enjoyable and simple than others. From establishing a new home to finding employment and getting used to local life, there are many potential difficulties in store for new Canadians, though there are also plenty of ways in which new citizens can discover the country and its people in a positive and exciting way. Learning about new traditions is a central component of becoming a Canadian, and recent immigrants are sure to find that their friends and neighbors are more than happy to help introduce these new traditions and customs and make them a part of the new citizen’s Canadian experience.

Many of the traditions currently practiced in Canada have roots in customs and ideas from America, England, and France. Particularly centered around the holiday season, religious rituals for Christmas compose a significant part of the national traditional landscape. Of course, Canada is home to a large number of people from various parts of the world and who have adopted a wide number of religions, and there are correspondingly many holiday traditions hat are celebrated throughout the calendar year by different ethnic and religious groups. Often, Canadians of specific ethnic backgrounds will incorporate local ideas or preferences into their traditions, putting a distinctly Canadian spin on the celebration.

There are also a variety of distinctly Canadian traditions that have been enriching the country and its people for many years. The celebration of Canada Day, for instance, is a major event that takes place each year on July the 1st and commemorates the federation of the British North America provinces. Canadians also celebrate Victoria Day and Remembrance Day, special national holidays that pay tribute to the valiant and famous among Canada’s past generations.

One of the greatest parts about traditions in Canada is their ability to be quickly learned and adapted to personal tastes and ideals, a convenience which has resulted in a great diversity of celebration and ceremony types. Whether approaching the marriage of a friend or loved one, looking forward to the Winter holiday season, or simply searching for a good reason to celebrate, new Canadian citizens are sure to find something interesting and fun to anticipate that speaks volumes about the distinct culture and personality of Canada.

Sometimes, those who establish themselves in a new country, especially when that new country is exotic or far away, can feel torn between their previous place of residence and the country in which they hope to forge a new life, and immigrants in Canada can certainly be faced with this challenge. Through learning about, understanding, and taking part in Canadian traditions, however, new citizens can feel more at home in their new country and gain a greater sense of belonging.

The Feeling of Passing the Canadian Citizenship Test

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:40:43 +0000

Tests are often surrounded by a major sense of anxiety or worry for test-takers who are unsure of their abilities, or when a particular test holds special meaning, and the Canadian citizenship test can often bring up such thoughts and feelings among immigrants hoping to become Canadians. As with other types of tests, however, it’s possible to approach the Canadian citizenship test with skill, agility, and determination when test-takers use a preparatory program online or locally to participate in question and answer drills and take practice exams. The negative feelings surrounding the test must be controlled and contained by immigrants in order to prevent a breakdown or an episode that leads to a poor result, but there are also many positive emotions associated with the exam, and test-takers can look forward to experiencing these great highs when they put honest work and effort into their test preparation.

Confidence is often reported as a central and positive experience for those who take the test, though people who give due consideration to preparation aforehand are likely to experience this confidence as well. After the test has been passed, new citizens can feel confident in their ability to integrate with Canadian society and enjoy a happy and prosperous life in the country. After all, passing the test, completing a citizenship interview, and attending a citizenship ceremony signifies that the country itself is confident in a new citizen’s ability and potential, and this can be a significantly warm and welcoming feeling.

Personal accomplishment is also, naturally, a large part of the positive feeling of passing the Canadian citizenship test. Though recent immigrants are likely to have faced greater challenges in the past, successfully completing the test is a tribute to individual effort and commitment, and should be celebrated as something positive and meaningful done for oneself. Aside from attending a citizenship ceremony, recent immigrants may wish to throw themselves a small party or celebrate in their own personal way to mark the occasion. Canadians are likely to look back on the date of their passing of the test with fond memories no matter how they choose to celebrate the day, and this sense of accomplishment should retained and enjoyed throughout life in the country.

The specific ways in which different people experience the Canadian citizenship test and their own successful completion of it vary widely, with some taking the event more seriously than others, and some feeling more relieved or excited. No matter the particular depth and range of emotions that are felt, however, those who pass are sure to feel a positive response within themselves, as well as from their peers. The first step of many on a great journey towards benefiting from and contributing to Canada, passing the Canadian citizenship test is a critical and special moment for all of those who choose Canada as their new permanent place to call home.

How the Canadian Citizenship Test Changes Lives

admin — Wed, 12 May 2010 03:38:46 +0000

Usually, a test is something that’s taken at the end of a learning period, and people hold little significance for the exam other than its ability to bestow a passing grade on the test-taker. But in some instances, tests can hold much greater meaning, and those that have to do with major life changes and decisions can be of particular import. The Canadian citizenship test, like tests for immigrants in many of the world’s most attractive countries, may seem like a small exam that doesn’t hold much meaning beyond the simple fact of passing or failing. But as those who are successful with the test are sure to find, passing the Canadian citizenship test can act as the gateway to an entirely new life rich in opportunities. The test has proved to be the starting point for scores of immigrants who have made Canada their home and have gone on to achieve great things, both for themselves and their families and for society at large, and as many people continue to be interested in the country, Canada is proving that passing its citizenship test will enduringly be a symbol of immigrant progress.

One of the most important ways in which the Canadian citizenship test can change a life is through its very challenge; sometimes, immigrants may be worried about their ability to pass the test, as it can sometimes represent language difficulties or require a fair amount of knowledge and memorization. There are many ways that test-takers can help improve their scores, not the least of which is adequate preparation through enrolling in a study session or other program, and a large number of the immigrants who take the test each year are successful in passing. Proving to oneself that the test is a goal that can be accomplished is often a major positive point for immigrants, and can serve as one of their primary feats on Canadian soil ña feat they can work towards developing and expanding as they create a new life in their new home.

When studying for the Canadian citizenship test, immigrants will discover a wealth of facts about the country and its founding, its political thought, its major leaders and political systems, and the cultural aspects of the provinces and territories that serve to create a more complete picture of Canada itself. Through this learning process, immigrants not only ensure that they will perform well on the test, but they can gain a better sense of the land in which they’ll be settling, allowing for a smoother transition to daily life as a Canadian and potentially opening many doors related to social, career-based, and additional educational opportunities.

The Canadian citizenship test may seem to be a simple exam that stands between immigrants and the process of becoming a Canadian, but it can hold a great deal of import and meaning for those who step up to its challenges and meet them with a passing score.