Citizenship and Immigration Canada
The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for issues dealing with immigration and citizenship. The department was established in 1994 following a reorganization within the federal government.
The current Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is Diane Finley.
CIC operates a large network of "Citizenship and Immigration Centres" throughout Canada and in an important number of embassies, high commissions and consulates abroad. Service Canada recently started to take over some of the domestic field operations of the department while the Canada Border Services Agency took over the control of enforcement and entry control at borders and airports.
CIC remains responsible for the establishment of policies and processing of permanent and temporary residence visa, refugee protection and citizenship applications.
The Citizenship and Immigration Canada department employs 5,000 staff,which on a per-capita basis is three times as many as the 15,000 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employees,but recoups some of its department costs through landing fees. In 2006 the Canadian government reduced the landing fee per immigrant by 50%.
Current Citizenship and Immigration Structure
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Deputy Minister
Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Programs
Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services
Assistant Deputy Minister, Client Service Modernization
The Canadian Citizenship Act is an Act of the Parliament of Canada, which came into effect on January 1, 1947, recognizing the definition of a Canadian, including reference to them being British subjects.
Before 1947, there was no legal existence of Canadian citizenship. The first act to deal with Canadian identity was the Immigration Act of 1910, but it was merely to facilitate government desire to populate Western Canada. The Naturalization Act of 1914 and the Canadian Nationals Act of 1921 provided a limited definition of a Canadian nationals and was made necessary to allow Canada to participate in the League of Nations and membership in the International Court of Justice.
The act also repealed numerous anti-immigration acts enacted in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
This act was superseded on February 15, 1977 by a new Citizenship Act which, with various amendments, is still in force. One of the most significant changes to Canadian law in the current Citizenship Act is that dual Canadian/other citizenship — generally banned prior to 1977 — has become permissible with essentially no restrictions.
Naturalization as a Canadian citizen
A person who is a permanent resident may apply for Canadian citizenship by naturalization (grant) after three years resident in Canada.
The requirements in full are that the person:
is aged 18 years or over
is a permanent resident
has lived in Canada for a total of three years out of the four years preceding the application for citizenship
knows about Canada (a test is required as part of the application process, but only if the applicant is between 18 and 54 years of age)
knows the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship
is of good character
is not a war criminal
Children aged under 18
The naturalization requirements for children under 18 are different from those for adults.
the child should be a permanent resident
a parent of the child should be a Canadian citizen or in the process of applying for Canadian citizenship
The residence and other requirements do not normally apply to those aged under 18.
Citizenship ceremonies
Main article: Oath of citizenship (Canada)
All applicants for Canadian citizenship aged 14 or over must attend a citizenship ceremony as the final stage of their application.
Under current law there is no provision for involuntary loss of Canadian citizenship except:
naturalized Canadians can have their citizenship revoked if convicted of fraud in relation to their citizenship application, or their original admission to Canada as an immigrant
second and subsequent generation Canadians by descent may lose Canadian citizenship automatically on their 28th birthday if they do not meet the requirements for retention
Many Canadians lost Canadian citizenship prior to 15 February 1977 through:
naturalization in another country
long residence overseas (prior to 1967)
if a child, based on a parent's loss of Canadian citizenship
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, citizens are:
Enjoy the rights guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Able to vote in political elections upon reaching the age of 18 (and provided they are not absent from Canada for more than 5 years and intend to resume residency in Canada).
Able to run for political office upon reaching the age of 18.
Able to obtain a Canadian passport.
Able to prevent risk of getting deported from Canada (if the subject born outside Canada, but is naturalized)
Able to work for the Federal government (where citizenship is usually required/preferred)
Allowed to live outside Canada indefinitely while retaining the right to return
Able to pass on Canadian citizenship to children born outside Canada.
Citizens are responsible for:
Serving on jury when reaching the age of majority, and if selected.
Obeying Canada's laws.
Respecting the rights and freedoms of others.
Helping others in the community.
Caring for and protecting the Canadian heritage and environment.
Eliminating discrimination and injustice.
The current Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is Diane Finley.
CIC operates a large network of "Citizenship and Immigration Centres" throughout Canada and in an important number of embassies, high commissions and consulates abroad. Service Canada recently started to take over some of the domestic field operations of the department while the Canada Border Services Agency took over the control of enforcement and entry control at borders and airports.
CIC remains responsible for the establishment of policies and processing of permanent and temporary residence visa, refugee protection and citizenship applications.
The Citizenship and Immigration Canada department employs 5,000 staff,which on a per-capita basis is three times as many as the 15,000 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employees,but recoups some of its department costs through landing fees. In 2006 the Canadian government reduced the landing fee per immigrant by 50%.
Current Citizenship and Immigration Structure
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Deputy Minister
Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Programs
Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services
Assistant Deputy Minister, Client Service Modernization
The Canadian Citizenship Act is an Act of the Parliament of Canada, which came into effect on January 1, 1947, recognizing the definition of a Canadian, including reference to them being British subjects.
Before 1947, there was no legal existence of Canadian citizenship. The first act to deal with Canadian identity was the Immigration Act of 1910, but it was merely to facilitate government desire to populate Western Canada. The Naturalization Act of 1914 and the Canadian Nationals Act of 1921 provided a limited definition of a Canadian nationals and was made necessary to allow Canada to participate in the League of Nations and membership in the International Court of Justice.
The act also repealed numerous anti-immigration acts enacted in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
This act was superseded on February 15, 1977 by a new Citizenship Act which, with various amendments, is still in force. One of the most significant changes to Canadian law in the current Citizenship Act is that dual Canadian/other citizenship — generally banned prior to 1977 — has become permissible with essentially no restrictions.
Naturalization as a Canadian citizen
A person who is a permanent resident may apply for Canadian citizenship by naturalization (grant) after three years resident in Canada.
The requirements in full are that the person:
is aged 18 years or over
is a permanent resident
has lived in Canada for a total of three years out of the four years preceding the application for citizenship
knows about Canada (a test is required as part of the application process, but only if the applicant is between 18 and 54 years of age)
knows the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship
is of good character
is not a war criminal
Children aged under 18
The naturalization requirements for children under 18 are different from those for adults.
the child should be a permanent resident
a parent of the child should be a Canadian citizen or in the process of applying for Canadian citizenship
The residence and other requirements do not normally apply to those aged under 18.
Citizenship ceremonies
Main article: Oath of citizenship (Canada)
All applicants for Canadian citizenship aged 14 or over must attend a citizenship ceremony as the final stage of their application.
Under current law there is no provision for involuntary loss of Canadian citizenship except:
naturalized Canadians can have their citizenship revoked if convicted of fraud in relation to their citizenship application, or their original admission to Canada as an immigrant
second and subsequent generation Canadians by descent may lose Canadian citizenship automatically on their 28th birthday if they do not meet the requirements for retention
Many Canadians lost Canadian citizenship prior to 15 February 1977 through:
naturalization in another country
long residence overseas (prior to 1967)
if a child, based on a parent's loss of Canadian citizenship
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, citizens are:
Enjoy the rights guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Able to vote in political elections upon reaching the age of 18 (and provided they are not absent from Canada for more than 5 years and intend to resume residency in Canada).
Able to run for political office upon reaching the age of 18.
Able to obtain a Canadian passport.
Able to prevent risk of getting deported from Canada (if the subject born outside Canada, but is naturalized)
Able to work for the Federal government (where citizenship is usually required/preferred)
Allowed to live outside Canada indefinitely while retaining the right to return
Able to pass on Canadian citizenship to children born outside Canada.
Citizens are responsible for:
Serving on jury when reaching the age of majority, and if selected.
Obeying Canada's laws.
Respecting the rights and freedoms of others.
Helping others in the community.
Caring for and protecting the Canadian heritage and environment.
Eliminating discrimination and injustice.
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