Served in the army and received Canadian citizenship IMMEDIATELY - IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE???
The practice of obtaining citizenship through military service is not uncommon. Many countries have used this mechanism as a way to strengthen their military and give a chance to those willing to serve their new homeland not in words but in deeds.
France is perhaps the most famous in this regard. The legendary French Foreign Legion accepts people from all over the world, without language requirements and even under a false name. After a probationary period, legionnaires can apply for citizenship. A new passport in exchange for service sounds almost like a plot from an old novel, but it's the reality.
In the US, the MAVNI (Military Accessions Vital To National Interest) program allows legal immigrants with rare skills: doctors, translators, and language specialists to obtain expedited citizenship. It's all based on the principle: "You're useful to the country, so the country gives you status."
In Russia, foreigners, especially from Central Asian countries, are also allowed to join the military, and a 2022 decree expedited citizenship for those participating in combat.
Israel offers this opportunity through the Mahal and Garin Tzabar programs for Jews and descendants of Jews from the diaspora.
India accepts citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, and Ireland accepts EEA residents and those who have lived in the country for five years.
Since I'm talking about Canada, I'll switch to it now.
So what about Canada?
Do we even need this practice?
Does it benefit the country or those who serve in it?
Can service prove loyalty faster than residence?
The answer, as usual, is ambiguous. But the fact remains – Canada is no exception. The issue of citizenship through service has been raised many times, and each time has generated heated debate.
Back in 2013, Bill C-425, a private member's bill, proposed granting citizenship to those who signed a contract to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for at least three years and completed basic training.
A year later, Bill C-24 (2014), now part of the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, reduced the residency requirement for citizenship applications by one year for permanent residents serving in the military.
‼️That is, while a regular resident must reside in Canada for three years, a member of the armed forces only needs one year.
This is not a myth or a legend, but a real option that exists within the framework of current legislation.
While a "citizenship-through-service law" has not yet been finalized in Canada, expedited processing is already in place. Permanent residents and even foreign military personnel in Canada on exchange programs can apply for citizenship through an expedited process.
Sounds like a fair deal: you serve your country, and the country opens its doors to you.
This is a particularly interesting opportunity for those who, for example, have a US Green Card and a Canadian PR so they can balance the two systems and choose where to invest more.
Canada, as always, seeks a balance between humanism and pragmatism.
And perhaps service is the rare case where the words "loyalty" and "citizenship" truly stand together, not just in the oath.
Oleksandra Melnykova, Canadian Immigration and Refugee Consultant.
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