Citizenship Commission

The Citizenship Commission is an administrative body within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It consists of citizenship judges across the country. The overall mandate of the Commission is as follows:

• To assess referred applications to ensure they meet the residence / physical presence requirements of the Citizenship Act;
• To administer the oath of citizenship and stress the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship;
• To maintain the integrity of the citizenship process; and
• To promote citizenship in communities

With respect to decisions affecting individual cases, citizenship judges are independent decision makers. Their decisions can be judicially reviewed by a failed applicant or the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration with leave of the Federal Court.

Judges need to know:

• The principles of administrative law and natural justice;
• The Citizenship Act, Citizenship Regulations and relevant case law;

Appointment opportunities

Citizenship judges are appointed by the Governor in Council. The Government of Canada posts opportunities for Governor in Council appointments. Any Canadian citizen may submit their candidacy if they meet the requisite criteria.

Find out about:

• Profiles of citizenship judges
• Roles and responsibilities
• How to become a citizenship judge
• Citizenship judge code of conduct
• Protocol addressing citizenship judge conduct issues

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