Citizenship in Canada – The biggest impacts

In June 2014, Bill C-24 passed and the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act came into force. The bill marked the most significant changes to Canada’s citizenship laws since 1977. Some of the changes came into effect in the summer of 2014 and the rest we expect will be implemented sometime in 2015. The government hasn’t said when, exactly. 

The biggest impacts

1) New residence rules. Instead of having to prove physical residence in Canada for three out of four years, applicants will need to prove that they were physically present in Canada for four out of six years. They will also have to show that they were physically present in Canada for at least 183 days per year for each of those four years. Time spent in Canada before becoming a permanent resident will not be counted toward the residence requirement. Under current law, applicants can use some days spent in Canada as a permanent resident as a half day of residence in their application.

2) Intent to reside. Applicants will have to declare their intent to reside in Canada during the application and indicate that they plan to make Canada their permanent home.

3) Language and knowledge testing. Citizenship applicants between 14-64 years of age will have to submit proof of proficiency in either English or French, and take the citizenship knowledge test. Currently, the age range is 18-54 years.

4) Tax implications. Applicants would have to file Canadian taxes if required by the Income Tax Act.

5) Citizenship by descent. Individuals born outside of Canada with at least one parent with Canadian citizenship at the time of their birth are able to obtain citizenship. This does not apply to the second generation born outside of Canada. The rules will be expanded to include children of individuals born outside of Canada while their Canadian parent(s) were serving the government or in the Canadian Armed Forces. In other words, citizenship will pass on to the second generation of children in these cases.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at Upcoming Changes to Canada’s Citizenship Rules: How Will You be Impacted? | Dale & Lessmann LLP | Canadian Legal Counsel.