Most Immigrants Stay in Canada After Citizenship, Study Shows

A new government study has busted a common myth. Many people believe immigrants leave Canada soon after getting Canadian citizenship. But recent research tells a different story.

The study looked at immigrants who arrived between 2008 and 2012. It focused on those aged 25 to 54 at the time they came to Canada. It found that 93% of those who became citizens were still living in Canada 10 years later.

This was measured by checking if they filed income tax each year. Filing taxes shows they were working or earning money in Canada.

Citizens More Likely to Stay Than Non-Citizens

The study compared those who became citizens to those who didn’t. Only 67% of non-citizens in the same age group were still active in Canada after 10 years. This shows that becoming a citizen makes a big difference when it comes to staying in Canada long-term.

Immigrant Retention Getting Better

The study also looked at immigrants who came between 2003 and 2007. Of those who became citizens, 91% were still around 10 years later. For non-citizens, the number dropped to just 58%.

This means Canada is getting better at keeping immigrants, especially those who choose to become citizens.

What Factors Influence Staying in Canada?

The study found several reasons why some immigrants stay longer and others don’t.

• Education: Immigrants with a university degree were more likely to become citizens.
  
• Language: Those who spoke English or French when they arrived had higher citizenship rates.
  
• Age: Immigrants who arrived between 20 and 34 years old were more likely to become citizens.
  
• Refugee Status: Refugees were more likely to get citizenship than other groups.
  
• Country of Origin: Immigrants from developing countries were more likely to become citizens.
  

For example, 74% to 82% of immigrants from Colombia, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Iran became citizens within 10 years. But only 35% to 54% of those from the U.S., France, the U.K., and South Korea did the same.

Do Citizens Leave After Getting the Passport?

The study also asked if becoming a Canadian citizen leads people to leave the country. It found a small drop in tax filing after citizenship.

The year before citizenship, 97% were filing taxes. That number dropped to 95% the year after. Three years later, it dropped to 92%.

This shows only a small number leave or stop working in Canada after becoming citizens.

In contrast, people who did not become citizens showed a sharper yearly drop of about 3%. This proves that citizenship is linked to better long-term retention.

Note on Tax Filing as a Measure

The study used tax filing as a way to check if people were active in Canada. But it also noted this isn’t always a perfect sign. Some people may still live in Canada but not earn income or may have other reasons for not filing.