Canada has long welcomed immigrants seeking a better future, but a growing concern in recent years has been the number of immigrants who leave the country after obtaining permanent residency or even citizenship. Do those who become Canadian citizens tend to stay? Or do they move on, using their new citizenship as a stepping stone elsewhere?
A new federal study titled “Citizenship Acquisition and Active Presence of Immigrants in Canada” provides much-needed clarity. It examines the behaviours of immigrants over a 10-year period and reveals valuable insights into who remains actively present in Canada—and why.
On This Page You Will Find:
- What Is Active Presence?
- The Link Between Citizenship and Staying in Canada
- Who Is Most Likely to Leave?
- What Citizenship Numbers Tell Us
- Key Trends by Country of Origin and Education
What Is Active Presence?
The study defines active presence as the extent to which immigrants engage with Canadian society, measured through activities like filing income taxes and participating in the workforce. It is a strong proxy for determining whether someone is still living in Canada.
By focusing on immigrants admitted between 2003 and 2012, the study tracked whether those individuals remained active in Canada 10 years after their arrival. The results clearly show that citizenship plays a major role in long-term presence.
The Link Between Citizenship and Staying in Canada
Among immigrants aged 25 to 54 at the time of arrival between 2008 and 2012, 93% of those who became Canadian citizens were still active in the country 10 years later. In contrast, only 67% of their non-citizen counterparts remained active over the same period.
Even when looking at earlier cohorts from 2003 to 2007, the pattern holds: 91% of naturalized citizens remained actively present, compared to 58% of non-citizens.
This pattern strongly suggests that becoming a Canadian citizen is not a tool to quickly move elsewhere. Instead, it is closely tied to deeper integration and a long-term commitment to the country.
Who Is Most Likely to Leave?
While the majority of immigrants stay, the study found significant differences in active presence among certain groups.
Among non-citizens:
- Higher education was linked with lower presence rates. Those with graduate degrees were 16 percentage points less likely to remain than those with only secondary school.
- Language proficiency also had a surprising effect. Those who spoke English or French at arrival were 9 to 16 percentage points less likely to remain than those who did not.
- Refugees had higher retention than economic immigrants. In some cases, the difference was as much as 19 percentage points.
Among citizens:
- Differences across education, language, and immigration class were relatively small.
- However, immigrants from developed countries had lower retention rates. For example, 87% of naturalized immigrants from the United States were still active after 10 years, compared with 97% from the Philippines.
These findings suggest that some non-citizens may not fully settle in Canada, perhaps using it as a temporary destination. On the other hand, citizenship appears to stabilise settlement outcomes regardless of background.
What Citizenship Numbers Tell Us
Citizenship statistics in recent years help put the study in context. According to IRCC data:
- 375,695 people became Canadian citizens in 2022
- 379,991 in 2023
- 375,321 in 2024
- 87,765 between January and March 2025
This sustained high volume of naturalizations reinforces the study’s core finding: the vast majority of new citizens remain active in Canada over the long term.
While there is a small dip in presence after naturalization – about 2 percentage points within the year after becoming a citizen – this is much lower than the 3-percentage-point annual decline observed among non-citizens.
Final Thoughts
The study makes it clear: becoming a Canadian citizen is a strong sign of long-term commitment. Naturalized immigrants are far more likely to stay, work, and participate in Canadian society.
Policymakers concerned about immigrant emigration should focus less on citizenship as a risk factor and more on understanding why non-citizens with high education and language skills may choose to leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by “active presence” in the study?
Active presence refers to signs that a person is still living in Canada, such as filing taxes or earning income. It’s used as a reliable measure to track whether immigrants are still residing in the country after arrival.
Do most immigrants leave Canada after becoming citizens?
No. The vast majority of naturalized immigrants stay in Canada. In fact, 93% of immigrants from 2008 to 2012 who became citizens were still active 10 years later.
Why do some immigrants leave Canada without becoming citizens?
The study found that non-citizens with higher education or official language proficiency were more likely to leave. Some may see Canada as a stepping stone or temporary stay due to work or personal plans.
Which groups of immigrants are most likely to stay in Canada?
Naturalized immigrants from developing countries, such as the Philippines, had the highest retention rates. Refugees also showed higher active presence compared to economic immigrants.
Has active presence among immigrants improved over time?
Yes. Recent cohorts (2008–2012) had higher active presence rates than those admitted earlier. This trend shows improving long-term integration regardless of citizenship status.
