Changing trends: recent immigrants are less likely to seek Canadian citizenship, Statistics Canada announces!

Citing a recent study by CICNews, statistics provided by Statistics Canada show that recent immigrants to Canada are less likely to obtain citizenship than 20 years ago! The study, based on data from 1996 to 2021, shows that among recent immigrants, the rate of applying for citizenship has dropped by 30 percent, with the largest decline occurring over the past 10 years.

Here we need to clarify that the term “immigrants” in this study refers to people who have obtained permanent residence or PR card (permanent) of Canada. In other words, the term is used to refer to people who entered Canada as immigrants and obtained permanent residence or other legal status there.

The findings of this study are as follows:

1. Decrease in citizenship applications: The results of this study show that recent immigrants (people who have lived in Canada for 5, 10 or 15 years) are less likely to apply for Canadian citizenship. In 1996, 75.4% of immigrants sought citizenship, but this rate has dropped to 45.7% by 2021. The biggest decline in citizenship application rates has occurred in the last decade.

2. Differences between groups of immigrants: The study shows that there are differences in applying for citizenship among groups of recent immigrants. Immigrants with higher incomes (between $50,000 and $100,000 CAD) are 14% more likely to receive citizenship than those with lower incomes (less than $10,000 CAD). Also, immigrants with higher education also have the highest rate of applying for citizenship. For example, 30.4% of those with a high school degree and 51.8% of those with a college degree have obtained citizenship.

3. The effect of language: Other differences in citizenship application rates can be seen between people with different language levels. For example, 19.7% of people whose mother tongue is not English or French have received citizenship, compared to 49.8% for people whose mother tongue is English or French.

4. Country of origin effect: Other differences in citizenship application rates can be seen between immigrants from different countries. The biggest decrease in citizenship applications can be seen among immigrants from Eastern (-58%) and Southeast Asia (-40.7%). Then there are immigrants from Western Asia (-29.3%), Eastern Europe (-28.9%) and Central America (-28.2%).

In summary, this study shows that recent immigrants in Canada are less likely to obtain citizenship and that citizenship applications differ among different groups of immigrants. Factors such as income level, education, language and country of origin of the immigrant are influential.

What were some of the reasons for this decline؟

The reasons for the decrease in citizenship applications in Canada include several factors. One of these factors is education. Immigrants with a higher level of education are more likely to obtain citizenship. Also, language skills play an important role in this difference. People who are fluent in English or French are more likely to apply for citizenship.

Another factor that the study points to is work experience in Canada. The work experience of those working in the Canadian work system plays an important role in obtaining citizenship. This work experience counts in the Canadian Comprehensive Rating System (CRS) and for entry into the Express Entry pool for immigrants.

One of the important factors mentioned in this study is the COVID-19 pandemic. This disease has directly affected the citizenship application of immigrants in Canada. Accomplishing 40% of the decline in citizenship application rates between 2016 and 2021 is due to factors related to COVID-19.

In addition, changes in Canadian policies can also have an impact on citizenship application rates. Between 2006 and 2016, there were several policy changes that may affect citizenship applications. These changes include increasing applicants’ knowledge of Canada through citizenship tests, requiring evidence of knowledge of French and English skills for permanent residents, and increasing citizenship application fees.

Finally, the influence of local international events cannot be ignored either. For example, the rapid decline in citizenship application rates among people from East and Southeast Asia suggests that local international events in these regions play an important role in explaining this decline. In summary, reasons for declining citizenship applications in Canada include education, language skills, Canadian work experience, COVID-19, policy changes, and local international events.

Does this mean Canada should be concerned about immigrant citizenship statistics؟

It can be said that Canada does not need to worry about the citizenship statistics of immigrants. Although the citizenship application rate is decreasing, Canada is still one of the countries with the highest immigration and citizenship acquisition rate among Western countries. Most immigrants in Canada decide to get citizenship, which shows that Canada is very attractive to them.

Also, many newly arrived immigrants do not yet seek citizenship and tend to maintain ties to their home country, especially economically. Some countries of origin of immigrants, such as India, do not allow dual citizenship, and immigrants must choose between their old and new passports. Also, permanent residents experience many of the same benefits as citizens, but cannot vote or hold Canadian political office.

Therefore, despite the decrease in citizenship applications, Canada is still known as an attractive place for immigration and residence, and the rate of immigration is high.