A recent study by Statistics Canada has debunked a popular myth: after acquiring Canadian citizenship, immigrants are not leaving Canada in large numbers. In fact, a whopping 93% of immigrants who became citizens between 2008 and 2012 remained actively present in Canada ten years later!

This study focused on immigrants aged 25 to 54 at the time of their admission. An active presence was determined by filing income taxes. Interestingly, only 67% of those who didn’t become citizens from the same period had an active presence a decade later. This clearly illustrates that Canadian citizenship plays a significant role in long-term engagement.

Retention has also improved for more recent immigrants. For those who arrived between 2008-2009, the retention rate remained high. And when we look back at 2003-2007 immigrants, we see that 91% who became citizens retained their presence in Canada compared to just 58% of those who chose not to.

So what influences these rates? Factors like education and language skills matter. Immigrants with higher education levels and those who spoke English or French upon arrival were more likely to become citizens. Younger immigrants and refugees also showed higher naturalization rates.

But does getting citizenship mean immigrants are likely to leave Canada? Not at all! While some do choose to leave after becoming citizens, the numbers are lower than expected. The percentage of active presence slightly dropped after acquiring citizenship but is still much higher than non-citizens.

The study provides a fascinating insight into immigrant retention in Canada and reaffirms that becoming a Canadian citizen is a positive step for many. If you're considering citizenship or have questions about the process, feel free to reach out for a consultation!