On October 04,2017, The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that as part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to provide greater flexibility in meeting requirements for those who wish to obtain Canadian citizenship, a significant milestone in implementing changes to the Citizenship Act through the adoption of Bill C-6.
Important changes to physical presence and the age required to meet language and knowledge requirements for permanent residents who are applying for citizenship will come into effect on October 11, 2017. The new requirements will give more flexibility to both younger and older eligible immigrants to obtain citizenship. They will also help individuals who have already begun building lives in Canada achieve citizenship faster.
Citizenship applicants who meet the new requirements must wait until October 11, 2017, before applying for citizenship. This is the date when the changes come into effect, and when the new citizenship application forms and guides will be available.
More changes to the Citizenship Act are expected to take effect later this year and in early 2018.
