The number of Indians living in Canada who obtained citizenship this year has increased by 50%, The Times of India reported, quoting immigration authorities. As per the report, 15,016 Indians obtained Canadian citizenship till October 2018 after living in the country for a certain period of time as permanent residents. This number in the corresponding period last year was 9,992.
The report suggests that at least 1.39 lakh permanent residents acquired Canadian citizens ending October this year while Indians accounting for 10.7% of them. While these are preliminary figures, the numbers are expected to rise when final statistics are calculated.
According to the “2018 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration”, a total of 2.86 lakh individuals were admitted to Canada as permanent residents in 2017.
According to Canadian rules, a permanent resident must have lived in the country for at least three of the five years before applying for citizenship. While permanent residents can live and work in the country, get social benefits, and are protected under Canadian laws, they are not allowed to vote or run for political office.
According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, almost 1.53 lakh people would have obtained Canadian citizenship by October, an increase of 40% compared to 1.08 lakh people in the corresponding period last year. The number increased after the country introduced new citizenship rules in October 2017.
The highest number of Indians – 51,651 – became permanent residents of Canada in 2017, ahead of the Philippines with 40,857 citizens and China with 30,270.
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Ms Kalinga