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This list highlights changes to the Citizenship Act. Applicants should consult the CIC website and instructions on the application forms and guide for more detailed information on these changes.
Before
- Residence for three out of four years (1,095 days)
After
- Requires physical presence in Canada for four years (1,460 days) out of the six years immediately before the date of application (in effect June 11, 2015)
Before
- No requirement that residents be physically present
After
- Requires 183 days minimum of physical presence in Canada during each of the four calendar years that are fully or partially within the six years immediately before the date of application (in effect June 11, 2015)
Before
- Time as a non-permanent resident (non-PR) may be counted toward residence for citizenship
After
- Eliminates use of time spent in Canada as a non-permanent resident (non-PR) for most applicants (in effect June 11, 2015)
Before
- No “intent to reside” provision
After
- Introduces “intent to reside” provision (in effect June 11, 2015)
Before
- Adult applicants aged 18–54 must meet language requirements and pass knowledge test.
After
- Legislation now requires applicants aged 14–64 to meet language requirements and pass knowledge test (in effect June 11, 2015)
Before
- Most “Lost Canadians” had their citizenship restored in 2009, but small number remained ineligible for citizenship
After
- Extends citizenship to “Lost Canadians” born before 1947 as well as their 1st generation children born abroad (in effect June 11, 2015)
Before
- Bars to citizenship for people with domestic criminal charges and convictions
Before
- Governor in Council (GIC) final decision maker for citizenship revocation
Before
- Limited authority to define what constitutes a complete application
After
- Establishes authority to define what constitutes a complete application and what evidence applicants must provide (in effect since August 2014)
Before
- Citizenship grant is a three-step decision-making process
After
- Changes citizenship grant to a single-step process for most applications that reduces duplication and improves processing times (in effect since August 2014)
Before
- No requirement to file Canadian income taxes to be eligible for a grant of citizenship
After
- Requires adult applicants to file Canadian income taxes, if required under the Income Tax Act, to be eligible for citizenship (in effect June 11, 2015)
Before
- No authority to revoke citizenship for grounds beyond fraud and misrepresentation
After
- Authority to revoke Canadian citizenship from dual citizens who served as members of an armed force of a country or an organized armed group engaged in armed conflict with Canada (in effect May 28, 2015)
- Authority to revoke Canadian citizenship from dual citizens who are convicted of terrorism, high treason, treason, or spying offences, depending on the sentence received (in effect May 28, 2015)
- Authority to deny Canadian citizenship to permanent residents who served as members of an armed force of a country or an organized armed group engaged in armed conflict with Canada or who are convicted of terrorism, high treason, treason, or spying offences, depending on the sentence received (in effect June 11, 2015)
Before
- Misrepresentation on applications could only be pursued through the laying of charges by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
After
- Applicants can be refused for misrepresenting or withholding material facts on applications and are subsequently barred from being granted citizenship for five years (in effect May 28, 2015)
Before
- No fast-track mechanism for citizenship for members of the military to honour their service to the Canadian Armed Forces
After
- Creates a fast-track mechanism for citizenship for individuals serving or on exchange with the Canadian Armed Forces to honour their service to Canada (in effect since June 2014)
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Hon. Chris Alexander
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Government and Politics
