Stricter Citizenship Eligibility Rules Forthcoming

Canada

Additional citizenship reforms approved by the Canadian Parliament last year will become effective June 11, 2015.  The measures include an increased physical presence requirement, a basic language and knowledge test for all applicants between the ages of 14 and 64 and proof of tax filings, among other strict requirements for citizenship applicants. New application forms will be available on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website on June 11, 2015. After June 10, 2015, applications on old forms will be returned to the applicant.

Notable Changes

Under the new rules, applicants for citizenship must be physically present in Canada for at least four out of the previous six years, and at least 183 days in each of four calendar years within the qualifying period. This is an increase from the previous three out of four years requirement. Adult applicants must also declare their intent to reside in Canada once they become citizens and meet their income tax obligations to be eligible for citizenship. 

Stricter Penalties

Those convicted of fraud and misrepresentation in their citizenship applications (or of advising others to do so) will be subject a fine up to CAD $100,000 and/or up to five years imprisonment.  

What This Means for Foreign Nationals

The new rules will extend the time that it takes for permanent residents to become citizens and the stricter physical residency requirement will likely make qualifying for citizenship more difficult.  In particular, this may negatively impact frequent international business travelers whose extensive travel may make it difficult to become eligible for citizenship.

Foreign nationals who may be affected by the stricter requirements should immediately discuss applying for citizenship with their immigration professional before the new rules take effect this week.

The alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

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