Canada encourages foreign minors to get citizenship

The government of Canada has taken a decision to encourage all immigrants, especially those below 18 years of age, to obtain citizenship. To facilitate it, the fee has been lowered for minors who can apply under subsection 5(1) of the Citizenship Act.

Ahmed Hussen, Canadian Minister of Immigration, announced amendments to the fee schedule laid out in the Citizenship Regulations to reduce the fee for processing for minors who apply under subsection 5(1) to CAD100 from CAD530.

As per these changes, it has been ensured that difference has been removed in the fee paid by applicants of citizenship grant who are not yet adults, even if they have one Canadian parent, are applying themselves or with a parent, who is a permanent resident.

People who have already paid CAD530 fee for a minor applying on or after 19 June 2017 under this subsection would be reimbursed CAD430. It is said that IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) will directly contact these applicants to explain the process to receive a refund.

Minors not having a Canadian parent, or a resident parent applying at the same time as them for citizenship, are eligible to apply for citizenship under subsection 5(1).

It is felt that lowering of citizenship fees will help more minors, including children of immigrants in the care of the state or in the child welfare system, obtain citizenship of Canada.

IRCC will be interacting with provinces and territories, besides immigration service provider organizations, childcare agencies and other stakeholders to make people aware of this amendment. In addition, information will also be provided by IRCC on how minors can be helped by these institutions that are taking care of them to obtain citizenship.

Hussen was quoted by IRCC press release as saying that they urge all immigrants, including minors, to embrace citizenship of Canada and gain from it.

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