Canadian Citizenship Act Amendments 2017

On June 19, 2017, Bill C-6 (an Act to amend the Citizenship Act and make consequential amendments to another Act), received Royal Assent. The following is a summary of the Bill C-6 amendments:

Changes in immediate effect June 19, 2017:

• The ability to revoke citizenship from dual citizens convicted of crimes against the national interest has been removed.
• Applicants are no longer required to intend to live in Canada once granted citizenship.
• The age requirement for applying for citizenship has been removed, meaning minors without a Canadian parent can apply for citizenship.
• Individuals serving a conditional sentence will not be granted citizenship, take the Oath of Citizenship, or be able to count time towards meeting the physical presence requirements for citizenship.
• Statelessness can be considered as a stand-alone ground for discretionary grant of citizenship.
• The Citizenship Act now requires that measures be considered to accommodate the needs of a citizenship applicant who is a disabled person.
• All applicants are required to maintain citizenship requirements from the time they apply until they take the Oath of Citizenship, including those who applied before June 11, 2015.

Changes expected to take effect fall 2017:

• The requirements for physical presence in Canada and filing Canadian incoming tax will be reduced to 3 out of 5 years
• Applicants no longer have to be physically present in Canada for 183 days in 4 out of 6 years prior to their application.
• Applicants can count time spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person as a half-day towards meeting the physical presence requirement (to a maximum of 365 days).
• The age range for meeting language and knowledge requirements for citizenship will be reduced to 18 and 54 years.

Changes expected to take effect early 2018:

• All citizenship revocation cases will be decided by the Federal Court unless the individual requests the Minister make the decision.
• Citizenship Officers have clear authority to seize fraudulent or suspected fraudulent documents.

For further details about the Bill C-6 Amendments, please visit Canadian Citizenship Act with Bill C-6 Amendments.