IRCC announces new measures to fast-track Canadian citizenship, addressing a longstanding limitation for Canadian citizens. In the past, only the first generation was allowed to pass on citizenship to children born overseas. This implies that a child born outside of Canada would not automatically be entitled to apply for Canadian citizenship through their parents. Specifically, if a Canadian citizen who was born abroad has a child outside of Canada, additional steps or requirements may apply for the child to acquire Canadian citizenship.
Pending the Royal Assent of Bill C-71, the Canadian government may shortly amend the first-generation limit (FGL) rule to incorporate a second-generation cut-off. The Citizenship Act of Canada will be amended, and more foreign nationals will be qualified to apply for citizenship. On June 19, 2024, as specified by the Ontario Supreme Court, IRCC is expected to make an announcement. This announcement will address permanent modifications to the FGL rule.
The IRCC has already implemented new temporary arrangements. These arrangements allow certain qualified foreign nationals to become citizens ahead of these changes.
IRCC announces new interim measures to fast-track Canadian citizenship
The new policy from the IRCC is aimed at people who may be impacted by the FGL by descent and have applied for evidence of citizenship under urgent processing. It will particularly be applicable in any of the following situations:
Scenario 1: In response to the FGL regulation change, the applicant has submitted an application for proof of citizenship and asked for expedited processing in accordance with the specified standards.
Scenario Two: The FGL rule affects the applicant’s ongoing application for citizenship proof. Prior to the new regulations taking effect, the application did not receive priority status. However, the applicant has now requested expedited processing.
The IRCC will review the request in each of these cases to see if the applicant is eligible for accelerated processing.
The IRCC will notify the applicant that the FGL rule is now in effect if they match the requirements. A chance to apply for a “discretionary grant of citizenship” and guidelines on how to do so will also be provided to qualified candidates.
The Immigration Minister or any authorized decision-maker will review applications for this funding. Citizenship may be granted to the applicants if the application meets the requirements.
*In accordance with Canadian law, the Immigration Minister may decide to award citizenship in certain special cases.
Eligibility for Urgent Processing – Who Qualifies?
For those seeking a citizenship certificate—a vital document attesting to one’s Canadian citizenship—IRCC offers accelerated processing. This expedited service applies to three distinct categories of applicants, ensuring efficient handling of their applications.
Applicants must show an urgent need for a citizenship certificate for one of the following reasons in order to be eligible for expedited processing:
- Need to access benefits such as pensions, healthcare, or their Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Need to verify Canadian citizenship to secure employment.
- Need to travel to or from Canada due to a family member’s death or serious illness.
Please take note: Although candidates who meet these requirements may ask for expedited processing, the government cannot ensure that the citizenship certificate will be issued on time.
Essential Components for Requesting Urgent Citizenship Certificate Processing
The following paperwork, which aids the IRCC in confirming eligibility based on one of the three previously stated prerequisites, should be included by applicants to support their application for expedited processing:
- A letter of explanation
- Supporting documents
A plane ticket or itinerary (along by proof of payment), a letter from the applicant’s employment or educational institution, a health certificate, or a death certificate are a few examples of supporting documentation.
Applying for Expedited Processing of Citizenship Certificates
Candidates who qualify for expedited processing of their citizenship certificates may submit their applications online or on paper.
Nonetheless, applicants are advised by the IRCC not to submit duplicate applications for expedited processing. To be more precise, the IRCC will only handle the first application it receives if a requester makes an online application for the same request after submitting a paper application for expedited processing. In order to prevent processing delays or problems, it is crucial that applicants select a single application method.
Alternative Proof of Citizenship Status When Citizenship Certificate is Lost
A Canadian citizen may apply to the IRCC for a replacement citizenship certificate if they misplace their original one or have it stolen.
If the applicant is unable or unwilling to reapply for the certificate, alternative documents are available to confirm Canadian citizenship. These substitutes provide options for verifying citizenship status effectively.
Accepted Documents as Proof of Canadian Citizenship
The IRCC accepts the following documents in addition to citizenship certificates as legitimate evidence of Canadian citizenship:
- Naturalization certificates (issued before January 1, 1947)
- Citizenship cards
- Registration of birth abroad certificates and certificates of retention (issued between January 1, 1947 and February 14, 1977)
- Certain Canadian birth certificates (exceptions apply; refer to the Government of Canada webpage for details)
Documents Not Accepted as Proof of Canadian Citizenship
The IRCC states that the following kinds of documentation are invalid for demonstrating Canadian citizenship:
- Letters confirming citizenship records are issued upon request.
- Commemorative certificates are provided to citizenship applicants along with their citizenship card as keepsakes.
- Specific restrictions may apply to certain Canadian birth certificates; please refer to the Government of Canada webpage for details.
The IRCC states that 419 birth certificates from the Department of National Defense (DND) are not recognized as identification of citizenship. This information underscores the importance of using approved documentation for citizenship verification.