June 21, 2017

Citizenship Bill C-6 Received Royal Assent

Some changes to the Citizenship Act take effect immediately upon Royal Assent, while others take effect at later dates. As of June 19, 2017 applicants are no longer required to intend to continue to live in Canada once granted citizenship. Another immediate change includes repealing the ability to revoke citizenship from dual citizens convicted of crimes against the national interest. Dual citizens living in Canada who are convicted of these crimes will face the Canadian justice system.

The upcoming changes that are expected to take effect later this fall include reducing the time permanent residents must be physically present in Canada to three out of five years (instead of four out of six years), before applying for citizenship; amending the age range for people to meet the language and knowledge requirements for citizenship from 14-64 years to 18-54 years; and counting some of the time applicants spend in Canada as temporary residents or protected persons toward their physical presence requirements for citizenship.

For more information on Canadian Citizenship, please click here.

(Sources)