What to Expect During Your Virtual Citizenship Ceremony in Canada

Becoming a Canadian citizen is a significant milestone, and many are now doing so through virtual citizenship ceremonies. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect if you're participating in a virtual ceremony.

Why Virtual Ceremonies?

Before the pandemic, citizenship ceremonies were held in person. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced virtual ceremonies to adhere to social distancing and address the growing backlog of applications. Even though restrictions have eased, virtual ceremonies remain popular. From January to September 2023, IRCC conducted 224 virtual ceremonies on average each month, compared to only 52 in-person ceremonies.

The Importance of the Citizenship Ceremony

The citizenship ceremony is a meaningful event where you officially become a Canadian citizen. You will sing the national anthem and take the Oath of Citizenship, a formal promise to respect Canadian laws and fulfill your duties as a citizen. Once you take the oath, you are officially a Canadian citizen.

How Virtual Ceremonies Work

Virtual citizenship ceremonies are hosted via Zoom. The ceremony typically lasts about 1.5 hours and includes multiple participants. You can have your family and friends with you during the event. A judge or presiding official will lead the ceremony, and you are expected to dress respectfully, with business attire recommended. You can wear traditional or religious attire, and head coverings are also permitted.

To participate, you need to be in Canada. If you're outside of Canada on the day of your ceremony, you must contact IRCC to explain your situation.

Preparing for the Ceremony

1. Scheduling: IRCC will contact you one to two weeks before the ceremony via email or phone with the date, time, Zoom link, and instructions.
2. Technology: Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a computer, tablet, or phone with audio and video capabilities. You'll need to download Zoom if you haven't already.
3. Setup: Choose a simple, plain background for your Zoom session. IRCC recommends avoiding virtual backgrounds, but you can display Canadian-themed items or wear red and white. Ensure your camera shows your head and shoulders.
4. Documents: On the day, you'll need:
• Your Permanent Resident (PR) card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
• Two pieces of ID (e.g., PR card and a government-issued ID)
• Scissors to cut up your PR card after taking the oath
• Optional: A holy book to swear on if you wish and your phone for a celebratory selfie at the end.
  
  

What Happens During the Ceremony

The ceremony is split into two parts:

1. Registration Phase: This happens in a separate Zoom room, where an IRCC official will confirm your identity, ask you to cut your PR card, and gather information about how you’d like to receive your citizenship certificate.
2. Oath Ceremony: You’ll return to the main Zoom room for the formal oath. The judge will welcome you, and you’ll recite the Oath of Citizenship and sing the national anthem. It's a good idea to practice both in advance. After the ceremony, you can take a selfie with the judge on screen to commemorate the occasion.

If you get disconnected during the ceremony, you can try reconnecting using the same Zoom link. If you're unable to reconnect, contact IRCC to reschedule.

After the Ceremony

Once the ceremony ends, you must sign the Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form and email it to IRCC. You can print and sign it physically or sign it electronically. Be sure to send the form as a PDF or JPG.

Receiving Your Citizenship Certificate

After submitting the form, you'll receive your citizenship certificate. You can choose to receive it either as:

• An e-certificate: Available in the IRCC portal within five business days.
• A paper certificate: Delivered by mail, usually within two to four weeks.
  
  

If you don’t receive your paper certificate within six weeks, contact IRCC for assistance.

While the citizenship certificate proves your Canadian citizenship, it is not a travel document. If you plan to travel outside Canada, you’ll need to apply for a Canadian passport.

This is an exciting moment in your journey to becoming a Canadian citizen, and the virtual ceremony is designed to make this process as smooth and celebratory as possible!