Changes to the Canadian Citizenship Act - Bill C-24

Friday, June 20, 2014

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced a number of changes to the Citizenship Act. Bill C-24 is now law and changes are expected to be implemented soon.

Some changes include:

  • New residency requirements of 4 years (1,460 days) out of 6 years for citizenship eligibility
  • Permanent Residents must be physically present in Canada for 183 days (minimum) per year in 4 out of 6 years
  • Time spent in Canada as a non-permanent resident (non-PR) does not count towards the 6 years
  • A new “intent to reside” provision
  • Citizenship applicants who are aged 14-64 must meet language requirements, and pass the citizenship test
  • Applicants must meet knowledge requirement in English or French
  • Strengthen restrictions on citizenship for people with foreign criminal charges and convictions
  • Applicants may be refused because of fraud
  • Shortening of the citizenship granting process from 3-steps to 1-step
  • Adult applicants must file Canadian income taxes to be eligible for citizenship

Read details about the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.

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