New Delhi, December 26: There was a steep rise of 50 per cent in the number of Indians opting for Canadian citizenship in 2018, according to data released by the Canadian authorities. Till October this year, nearly 15,000-odd Indians obtained citizenship in Canada, which makes India figured in the second highest number of applications from those obtaining for Canadian citizenship.

According to the statics, 1.39 lakh permanent residents were granted Canadian citizenship in the 10 months ended October 30. Of this, nearly 11 per cent were Indians. The Philippines was ranked first as 15,600-odd Filipinos became citizens of Canada during this ten month period. In 2015, as many as 28,000-odd became Canadian citizens, the number which is unlikely to be breached this year. Canada PR Application Requirements & Process: How to Apply and Check CRS Points Online.

Immigration law experts attribute this rise in applications for Canadian citizenship to the new relaxed norms. "Since Oct 2017, it has become easier to qualify to apply for Canadian citizenship. In particular, the time period for which a permanent resident must be physically present in Canada before applying for citizenship has reduced. As compared to a 4-year residency requirement out of 6 years, now a permanent resident needs to be physically present in Canada for 3 out of five years,” Talha Mohani, managing director at Migration Bureau Corp, told TOI. New Visa Rules for Indian Passport Holders Makes International Travel Lot Easier to These Countries!

Canadian citizenship allows immigrants to work in the government sector and obtaining the right to vote besides other benefits. A Canadian passport holder can also apply for a Trade National (TN) visa to enter and work in the US.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 26, 2018 11:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).