IRCC Minister Transition Binder 2025-05

Citizenship Program

Context

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is responsible for Canadian citizenship, which is governed by the Citizenship Act, and defines who is Canadian by operation of law (citizenship by birth or descent) and who may become Canadian (naturalization generally from permanent residence to grant of citizenship).

Background

• The Citizenship Program governs the acquisition and loss of citizenship and promotes awareness of the rights, privileges and responsibilities of citizenship, including how newcomers and all Canadians can participate actively in their communities.
• Canada has one of the highest naturalization rates in the world; about 83% of newcomers become citizens. However, evidence indicates that the rate has been falling amongst recent immigrants.

Current Program

Citizenship Grants – Naturalization

• Permanent residents who have applied for and met the requirements of the Citizenship Act are granted citizenship. For example, requirements for an adult grant include:
  • being a permanent resident;
  • being physically present in Canada for a specified number of days (1,095 days);
  • having knowledge of Canada and one of its official languages;
  • filing taxes, if required;
  • not being prohibited;
  • taking the Oath of Citizenship.

Citizenship Proofs/Certificates

• Certificates (paper or electronic) are provided to Canadian citizens who apply for evidence of their citizenship.
• Birth on soil: Any child born in Canada is Canadian, except for children born to an accredited foreign diplomat. A Canadian provincial or territorial birth certificate is evidence of citizenship.
• Descent: Any child born outside Canada is Canadian if one of the Canadian parents (biological or legal) was either born in Canada or naturalized before the birth of the child.
  • Automatic passing of citizenship is limited to the first generation born abroad which means that children born abroad to Canadian citizens beyond the first generation do not acquire Canadian citizenship at birth (with some exceptions).
  • On December 19, 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declared that key provisions setting out the first-generation limit are unconstitutional (Bjorkquist et al). The declaration of invalidity has been extended to November 20, 2025.

Loss of Citizenship

• Renunciation: Individuals may apply and be approved to renounce (give up) their citizenship if they are at least 18 years of age, do not live in Canada, have or will acquire another citizenship, and understand the significance of renouncing their citizenship.
• Revocation: Citizenship may be revoked if it was acquired through fraud, false representation or by knowingly concealing material circumstances.
• ecall: The Registrar of Canadian Citizenship must recall and cancel a certificate of citizenship, certificate of naturalization or certificate of renunciation issued under the current Citizenship Act, former legislation or any related regulations, if the Minister decides the holder is not entitled to the certificate.

Citizenship Awareness and Accessibility

• The Citizenship Program also promotes awareness of the rights (for example, to vote and hold a passport) and responsibilities of citizenship, to educate newcomers and Canadians about Canadian citizenship. Citizenship judges appointed by the Governor-in-Council preside at citizenship ceremonies, decide on some grant applications and engage in promotional activities.
• Educational resources available include a citizenship study guide that supports the knowledge test, which is administered to all applicants between the ages of 18 and 54. It contains information about the history of Canada, how our government works, symbols of Canada and the Canadian regions.

Recent Developments

Legislative and Policy

• Citizenship modernization: The Citizenship Program has the authorities to enable collection and use of biometric information. Regulatory amendments are required to implement, in 2027, the legislative changes for collection and use of biometric information for granting citizenship only.

Program Management

• Citizenship to Passport, Phase 3: The Citizenship to Passport pilot was launched in March 2023 whereby select new citizens were invited to apply for a passport using a simplified application process. Phases 1 and 2 of the pilot were completed successfully. The Pilot is currently in Phase 3 and as of January 31, 2025, is now using the digital intake tool Canada Post Connect, in addition to ePay.
• Citizenship judges: Citizenship judges have three roles: ceremony, decision-making on case files and promotion. There are currently eight citizenship judges across the country whose terms will expire in June 2027. Two more judges will be onboarded this spring (one is a new appointment and the other is being reappointed). Their decision-making role is currently expected to sunset on July 31, 2027 as per the Citizenship Act unless extended by the Minister.
• Citizenship study guide: A new citizenship study guide to support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 93 is near-ready for release.
• Citizenship ceremonies: IRCC delivers both in-person and virtual ceremonies and clients can request a change of ceremony format should they wish. In 2024–2025, the number of in-person ceremonies represents approximately 45% of all ceremonies.

Key Service Delivery Statistics

Wait times for new applicants (in months): Application wait times by line of business are reflected on their own scale and are shown by quarter for comparative purposes.

Inventory Compared to Remaining 2025 Output^{Footnote *}

Current Inventory vs. Planned Admissions^{Footnote **}