Federal Programs

Canada reduces citizenship fee to push more young people to become citizens

The processing fee for citizenship applications for minors who are applying for Canadian Citizenship under subsection 5(1) of the Citizenship Act has been reduced by the Government of Canada from CAD530 to CAD100.The significant change in the fee will be equivalent to the processing fee paid by minors who have a Canadian citizen or parent applying along with them.

The recent announcement by the Canadian Immigration Departmnet follows the change in Canada’s Citizenship Act. On June 19, 2017, the royal assent of Bill C-6 immediately brought into force a legislative amendment that removed the requirement to be 18 years old to apply for a grant of citizenship under subsection 5(1) of the Citizenship Act. It also brings the fee into line with the processing fees for minors applying with a parent (under subsection 5(2) of the Citizenship Act).
 
The federal government  facilitates access to Canadian citizenship for minors
 
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship  Ahmed Hussen said : " acquiring Canadian citizenship is one of the strongest pillars for successful integration into Canadian life".

"Minors who do not have a Canadian parent, or a permanent resident parent applying for citizenship at the same time as them, can apply for citizenship under subsection 5(1) of the Citizenship Act. Therefore, the reduction in citizenship fees will help more minors, including immigrant children in the child welfare system or in the care of the state, acquire Canadian citizenship," according to Hussen.

“We encourage all immigrants, including those under 18 years of age, to take the path to Canadian citizenship and benefit from permanently belonging in Canadian society,” says Ahmed Hussen. “We are pleased that these fee changes will further facilitate access to citizenship for minors and reduce the financial burden for potentially vulnerable children.”

Fees reduced for minors applying for citizenship without a parent

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, announced that anyone who already paid the CAD 530 fee for a minor applying under this subsection on or after June 19, 2017, will be reimbursed the difference of CAD 430. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will contact these applicants directly to outline the process for receiving a refund.

The department is aiming to have the refunds made within 12 weeks of February 14, 2018, when the change came into force.

The Citizenship department will be engaging provinces and territories, childcare agencies, immigration service provider organizations and other stakeholders to raise awareness of the change. The department will also provide information on how these institutions can assist minors in their care to acquire citizenship.

‘We encourage all immigrants, including those under 18 years of age, to take the path to Canadian citizenship and benefit from permanently belonging in Canadian society,’ said Hussen.

For more information on minors applying for citizenship, please contact our offices today .
 
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