Canada Launches Citizenship Week Highlighting 87,000 Indians Gaining Citizenship in 2024

Key Takeaways

• 87,812 Indian nationals became Canadian citizens in 2024, representing 23.4% of new citizens.
• Citizenship Week 2025 in Canada runs from May 26 to June 1, focusing on diversity and inclusion.
• Ontario court ruled the First Generation Limit unconstitutional, with legal changes pending by April 2025.

Canada 🇨🇦 Celebrates Citizenship Week 2025: Indian Nationals Lead New Citizen Numbers

Canada 🇨🇦 kicked off its annual Citizenship Week on May 26, 2025, with celebrations running through June 1. This year’s event comes with a major announcement: 87,812 Indian nationals became Canadian citizens in 2024, making India 🇮🇳 the largest source country for new Canadian citizens. Indian nationals accounted for 23.4% of all new citizens in 2024, a record share that highlights the growing connection between Canada 🇨🇦 and its Indian community.

The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, marked the start of Citizenship Week by emphasizing the importance of diversity, resilience, and shared values in Canadian society. She encouraged Canadians to take part in citizenship ceremonies and welcome new citizens, underlining the country’s ongoing commitment to inclusion.

Let’s take a closer look at what Citizenship Week means, why Indian nationals are leading the way in new citizenship numbers, and how recent legal and policy changes are shaping the future of Canadian citizenship.

Citizenship Week 2025: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

Citizenship Week is an annual event in Canada 🇨🇦 that celebrates the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. Running from May 26 to June 1, 2025, this week is filled with ceremonies, community events, and public discussions about what it means to be Canadian. The focus this year is on diversity and inclusion, reflecting Canada’s long-standing tradition of welcoming people from around the world.

During Citizenship Week, new citizens take the Oath of Citizenship at special ceremonies, often joined by family, friends, and community leaders. These events are designed to help newcomers feel welcome and to remind all Canadians of the values that unite the country.

Minister Lena Metlege Diab said, “The courage of newcomers and the strength of our diversity are at the heart of Canada’s success.” She encouraged everyone to participate in Citizenship Week activities and to support new citizens as they begin their journey as Canadians.

For more information about Citizenship Week and how to get involved, visit the official Citizenship Week page.

Indian Nationals: The Largest Group of New Canadian Citizens

One of the most striking facts from 2024 is the record number of Indian nationals who became Canadian citizens. Out of a total of 374,832 new citizens, 87,812 were from India 🇮🇳. This means nearly one in four new Canadians last year was originally from India.

Why Are So Many Indian Nationals Becoming Canadian Citizens?

Several factors explain this trend:

• Large Indian Diaspora: Canada 🇨🇦 has a significant Indian community, with many Indian nationals arriving as students, skilled workers, or family members.
• Pathway from Permanent Residency: Many Indian nationals first come to Canada 🇨🇦 as permanent residents. After meeting the requirements, they apply for citizenship.
• Strong Community Networks: Indian Canadians often support each other through the immigration and citizenship process, making it easier for newcomers to settle and succeed.

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that the rise in Indian citizens is a direct result of Canada’s historic intake of Indian permanent residents over the past decade. As more Indian nationals become eligible, this trend is expected to continue.

How Does This Compare to Previous Years?

Here’s a look at the numbers:

The share of Indian nationals among new citizens has grown each year, showing the increasing importance of the Indian community in Canada 🇨🇦.

Other major source countries in 2024 included:
– Philippines: 37,843 (10%)
– China: 14,134 (3.7%)
– Nigeria: 13,210
– Pakistan: 10,831

Citizenship by Descent: Legal Changes and What They Mean

While many new citizens are immigrants who have lived in Canada 🇨🇦 for years, others are born abroad to Canadian parents. However, a rule called the First Generation Limit (FGL) has made it harder for some Canadians to pass citizenship to their children born outside Canada 🇨🇦.

What Is the First Generation Limit (FGL)?

The FGL is a law that says only the first generation of children born abroad to Canadian citizens can automatically get Canadian citizenship. If a Canadian citizen born outside Canada 🇨🇦 has a child abroad, that child does not automatically become a Canadian citizen.

Recent Legal Developments

• In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court ruled that the FGL is unconstitutional, saying it discriminates based on national origin.
• The federal government was given until April 25, 2025, to change the law. Bill C-71 was introduced to address the FGL, but it did not pass before the deadline.
• Interim measures are now in place, allowing some people affected by the FGL to apply for citizenship through special exceptions.
• A further court hearing was scheduled for April 11, 2025, to decide if the government will get more time to make changes.

This legal uncertainty affects many families, especially those who live or work abroad and want to pass Canadian citizenship to their children.

How to Become a Canadian Citizen: Step-by-Step Guide

For those looking to become Canadian citizens, the process is clear but involves several important steps. Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Check Eligibility

You must:
– Be a permanent resident of Canada 🇨🇦
– Have lived in Canada 🇨🇦 for at least 1,095 days (about 3 years) in the past 5 years
– Meet language requirements in English or French
– Pass a citizenship test (for ages 18-54)

2. Submit Your Application

• Fill out the citizenship application form online or by mail
• Include all required documents and pay the application fee

3. Processing

• The government reviews your application and checks your background
• You may be asked to attend an interview

4. Test and Interview

• If you are between 18 and 54, you must take a citizenship test about Canada’s history, values, and laws
• Some applicants may have an interview with a citizenship official

5. Attend a Citizenship Ceremony

• If approved, you will be invited to a ceremony where you take the Oath of Citizenship
• After the ceremony, you are officially a Canadian citizen

For more details on the process, visit the official citizenship application page.

Recent Policy Changes: Immigration Levels and Their Impact

Canada 🇨🇦 sets yearly targets for how many new permanent residents it will accept. These targets affect how many people can eventually become citizens.

Immigration Levels Plan

• 2025 target: 395,000 new permanent residents
• 2026 target: 380,000
• 2027 target: 365,000

In the first quarter of 2025, the number of new permanent residents dropped by 15% compared to the same period in 2024. This decline reflects recent policy changes and growing public debate about how many newcomers Canada 🇨🇦 should accept each year.

What Does This Mean for Future Citizens?

Fewer new permanent residents may mean fewer new citizens in the coming years. However, Canada 🇨🇦 remains committed to welcoming people from around the world and supporting their path to citizenship.

Who Is Affected by These Changes?

Indian Nationals

The increase in Indian nationals becoming Canadian citizens shows the strong ties between the two countries. Many Indian families in Canada 🇨🇦 are celebrating this milestone, and the trend is likely to continue as more Indian permanent residents become eligible for citizenship.

Families Abroad

The ongoing legal uncertainty around the FGL affects Canadians who want to pass citizenship to children born outside Canada 🇨🇦. While interim measures are in place, families are waiting for permanent changes to the law.

All Newcomers

The slight decrease in total new citizens and permanent residents is a result of recent policy tightening. This reflects a broader public debate about immigration levels and the balance between welcoming newcomers and managing resources.

Expert Perspectives: What Are People Saying?

Immigration Policy Experts

Experts point out that the rise in Indian nationals becoming citizens is a direct result of Canada’s large intake of Indian permanent residents over the past decade. As more Indian nationals meet the requirements for citizenship, this trend is expected to continue.

Legal Analysts

The court case about the FGL is seen as a landmark for citizenship rights. Legal experts say the ruling highlights the need for Canada 🇨🇦 to make its laws fair for all Canadians, no matter where they were born.

Public Opinion

Recent reports show that some Canadians are concerned about high immigration levels. This has led the government to lower its targets for new permanent residents in the coming years.

Quarterly Trends: When Do Most People Become Citizens?

The number of new citizens in 2024 was not evenly spread throughout the year:

• Q1: 89,421
• Q2: 104,218 (highest)
• Q3: 95,600
• Q4: 69,593 (lowest)

Most new citizens were sworn in during the second quarter, which often includes Citizenship Week and other special events.

Historical Context: Canada’s Approach to Citizenship

Canada 🇨🇦 has a long history of welcoming newcomers and making citizenship a key part of national identity. The FGL was introduced in 2009 to limit citizenship by descent, but it has faced criticism for treating some Canadians differently based on where they were born.

Over the years, the number of new citizens has gone up and down, but India 🇮🇳 has consistently been the top source country. This reflects both the size of the Indian community in Canada 🇨🇦 and the country’s ongoing commitment to diversity.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Canadian Citizenship?

Legislative Changes

The government is under a court order to change the FGL. The outcome of the April 2025 hearing and any new laws will be important for Canadians by descent and their families.

Immigration Targets

With planned reductions in permanent resident intake, the number of new citizens may decrease in the coming years. However, Canada 🇨🇦 is expected to keep its focus on diversity and inclusion.

Continued Diversity

Citizenship Week and similar events will continue to play a key role in welcoming newcomers and celebrating what it means to be Canadian.

Practical Guidance and Resources

If you are thinking about becoming a Canadian citizen, here are some steps you can take:

• Check your eligibility and gather your documents
• Apply online or by mail using the official forms
• Prepare for the citizenship test by studying Canada’s history and values
• Attend a ceremony and take the Oath of Citizenship

For the most up-to-date information, visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) official website.

If you have questions or need help, you can contact IRCC’s media relations team at [email protected] or call 613-952-1650.

Key Takeaways:
– Citizenship Week 2025 celebrates the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship, with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
– Indian nationals made up the largest group of new Canadian citizens in 2024, reflecting strong ties between Canada 🇨🇦 and India 🇮🇳.
– Legal changes to citizenship by descent are underway, with interim measures in place and permanent changes expected soon.
– Immigration targets are being adjusted, which may affect future citizenship numbers.
– Official resources are available to help you understand the process and take the next steps toward becoming a Canadian citizen.

Canada 🇨🇦 remains a country built on immigration, and Citizenship Week is a reminder of the important role newcomers play in shaping the nation’s future.

Learn Today

Citizenship Week → An annual Canadian event celebrating rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship with ceremonies and public activities.
Indian Nationals → People holding citizenship of India who have immigrated to Canada and become new Canadian citizens.
First Generation Limit → A citizenship law restricting automatic citizenship to only the first generation born abroad to Canadian citizens.
Permanent Resident → A non-citizen who has legal permission to live and work in Canada indefinitely.
Oath of Citizenship → A formal pledge taken by new Canadian citizens during citizenship ceremonies to uphold Canadian values.

This Article in a Nutshell

Canada celebrates Citizenship Week 2025 emphasizing diversity and inclusion. Indian nationals led new citizenships in 2024 with 87,812 new Canadians. Legal changes around citizenship by descent are underway as Canada adjusts immigration targets, reflecting evolving policies and public debate on immigration levels and citizenship pathways.
— By VisaVerge.com