How hard is it to become a Canadian citizen?

SecretSquirrel · 06-16-2009, 04:27 PM

I'm not sick or anything... yet.

I just find myself wondering exactly what is required for an American to become a Canadian citizen.

I am sure the requirements are listed on some site, but I am more curious about people's personal experiences.

Thanks.

SS

Mayvik · 06-16-2009, 04:30 PM

Not to bash Canada, but why would you want to?

If you ever hope/plan to have a government job or a security clearance, I'd highly avoid dual-citizenship if you weren't born with it. It's just a PITA that you probably don't need.

Christian Nelson · 06-16-2009, 04:33 PM

I thought the US government did not recognize "dual" citizen ship, that it was either or, not and..

SecretSquirrel · 06-16-2009, 04:33 PM

Forget value judgments as to why. There are probably lots of reasons.

All I am asking is how or rather, how hard.

Also, what is the deal with firearms in Canada again? You guys are not allowed to have them at all, basically. Is that right?

Thanks,
SS

Mayvik · 06-16-2009, 04:34 PM

I guess in theory you could renounce your US citizenship and try to get refugee status in CA? Not sure how easy that actually is though...

Probably the best bet would be to go to Ottawa's website and I'm sure they have a naturalization dept that you can either determine the hoops for yourself or call someone and ask.

KoolKat · 06-16-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretSquirrel

Forget value judgments as to why. There are probably lots of reasons.

All I am asking is how or rather, how hard.

Also, what is the deal with firearms in Canada again? You guys are not allowed to have them at all, basically. Is that right?

Thanks,
D

Well i imagine it's as hard getting an Australian so in a phrase "Pain in the ***" Lots and lots and lots and lots of hoops to jump through.

We got lots and lots of guns!!

postal_bob · 06-16-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretSquirrel

Also, what is the deal with firearms in Canada again? You guys are not allowed to have them at all, basically. Is that right?

If your record is clean, it's easy to own guns.

Marauder_Pilot · 06-16-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretSquirrel

Also, what is the deal with firearms in Canada again? You guys are not allowed to have them at all, basically. Is that right?

Not in the slightest. Here's the Q&D:

You apply for your Posession and Acquisition License. This comes in 3 flavours: Regulated, Restricted and Prohibited. Regular lets you own pretty much any run-of-the-mill hunting or sporting rifle and some semi-auto military-style rifles (Things like SKSes or M1s and such). Restricted is an extra bit of money and section on the test (Getting your PAL is about the same as getting your driver's license) and allows you pretty much any semi-auto rifle, as well as the vast majority of handguns. Prohibited is basically impossible to get unless you have a specific reason-you're in law enforcement, you run a firearms museum, stuff like that. It allows anything. The course is a basic gun and hunting safety course.

There is a gun registry, but not for long apparently. The punishment for not registering guns isn't enforced, and the reg is, supposedly, being dumped in the near future.

But, no, gun ownership is very alive and well in Canada. The ownership percentage is about the same as the USA. Fewer handguns, proportionally, but still. The main difference is a universal system that requires a gun safety course and no carry.

SecretSquirrel · 06-16-2009, 04:43 PM

I thought I'd heard you guys had done something with the firearms up there. [edit; Thanks for the clarification!]
Anyway...

Nova Scotia looks nice.

I wonder if Canada is granting asylum to U.S. citizens for any reason.

If I promise to work hard and pay my taxes on time, do you think they might let me be a probbie or something?

I am even willing to live near people who speak French if that is what it would take.

KoolKat · 06-16-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretSquirrel

I thought I'd heard you guys had done something with the firearms up there. [edit; Thanks for the clarification!]
Anyway...

Nova Scotia looks nice.

I wonder if Canada is granting asylum to U.S. citizens for any reason.

If I promise to work hard and pay my taxes on time, do you think they might let me be a probbie or something?

I am even willing to live near people who speak French if that is what it would take.

Refuge status is his hard to get.....coming from a "civilized" country your all but screwed.

06-16-2009, 04:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
SecretSquirrel Sciurus Vulgaris Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In the trees with ALL the nuts	How hard is it to become a Canadian citizen? I'm not sick or anything... yet. I just find myself wondering exactly what is required for an American to become a Canadian citizen. I am sure the requirements are listed on some site, but I am more curious about people's personal experiences. Thanks. SS

06-16-2009, 04:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mayvik Inch of Gold Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denver	Not to bash Canada, but why would you want to? If you ever hope/plan to have a government job or a security clearance, I'd highly avoid dual-citizenship if you weren't born with it. It's just a PITA that you probably don't need. __________________ My Feedback

06-16-2009, 04:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Christian Nelson Post Whore Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wisconsin	I thought the US government did not recognize "dual" citizen ship, that it was either or, not and.. __________________ The greatest want of the world is the want of men- men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by it's right name, men who's concience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.

06-16-2009, 04:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mayvik Inch of Gold Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denver	I guess in theory you could renounce your US citizenship and try to get refugee status in CA? Not sure how easy that actually is though... Probably the best bet would be to go to Ottawa's website and I'm sure they have a naturalization dept that you can either determine the hoops for yourself or call someone and ask. __________________ My Feedback

06-16-2009, 04:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
SecretSquirrel Sciurus Vulgaris Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In the trees with ALL the nuts	Forget value judgments as to why. There are probably lots of reasons. All I am asking is how or rather, how hard. Also, what is the deal with firearms in Canada again? You guys are not allowed to have them at all, basically. Is that right? Thanks, SS

06-16-2009, 04:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
SecretSquirrel Sciurus Vulgaris Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In the trees with ALL the nuts	I thought I'd heard you guys had done something with the firearms up there. [edit; Thanks for the clarification!] Anyway... Nova Scotia looks nice. I wonder if Canada is granting asylum to U.S. citizens for any reason. If I promise to work hard and pay my taxes on time, do you think they might let me be a probbie or something? I am even willing to live near people who speak French if that is what it would take.