Canadian Citizenship: Practice and Policy - Publication No. 2020-64-E - Revised 30 January 2025

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Jake

Canadian citizenship can be obtained by birth in Canada, by descent through a Canadian citizen (including adoption), or through naturalization governed by the Citizenship Act and related regulations. Implementation is led by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and supported by IRCC, including the Citizenship Commission’s role in assessing applications and administering the Oath or Affirmation. Naturalization requires first obtaining permanent residency, meeting residency and other conditions, completing a written test, and attending an interview, followed by a citizenship ceremony.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages31

Reading Time1 h 18 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Introduction

Key Institutions and Instruments

Legal Framework

Policies, Procedures and Operational Guidelines

Citizenship Commission

Citizenship Process

Applying for Citizenship

Citizenship Fees

Citizenship Test and Interview

Amendments to the Citizenship Study Guide

Citizenship Ceremony and Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship

Current Issues and Policy Considerations

Citizenship Rate

Citizenship Determinants

Policy and Operational Changes

Loss of Citizenship

Lost Canadians

Developments During the 44th Parliament

Birth in Canada to Foreign Nationals

Conclusion

CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP: PRACTICE AND POLICY Publication No. 2020-64-E 30 January 2025 Revised by Madalina Chesoi and Eleni Kachulis Research and Education AUTHORSHIP 30 January 2025 Madalina Chesoi International Affairs and Integrated Reference Services Eleni Kachulis Legal, Social and Indigenous Affairs 14 August 2020 Madalina Chesoi Legal, Social and Indigenous Affairs Eleni Kachulis Legal, Social and Indigenous Affairs ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION Library of Parliament HillStudies provide in-depth studies of policy issues. They feature historical background, current information and references, and often anticipate the emergence of the issues they examine. They are prepared by Research and Education, which carries out research for and provides information and analysis to parliamentarians, Senate and House of Commons committeesand parliamentary associations in an objective, impartial manner. © Library of Parliament, Ottawa, Canada, 2025 Canadian Citizenship: Practice and Policy (HillStudies) Publication No. 2020-64-E Ce document est également publié en français. CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................1 2 KEY INSTITUTIONS AND INSTRUMENTS............................................................................1 2.1 Legal Framework ....................................................................................................................2 2.2 Policies, Procedures and Operational Guidelines ...................................................................2 2.3 Citizenship Commission ..........................................................................................................3 3 CITIZENSHIP PROCESS .......................................................................................................3 3.1 Applying for Citizenship...........................................................................................................3 3.2 Citizenship Fees......................................................................................................................3 3.3 Citizenship Test and Interview ................................................................................................5 3.3.1 Amendments to the Citizenship Study Guide ..........................................................................5 3.4 Citizenship Ceremony and Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship.................................................6 4 CURRENT ISSUES AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS.........................................................7 4.1 Citizenship Rate ......................................................................................................................7 4.1.1 Citizenship Determinants ........................................................................................................8 4.1.2 Policy and Operational Changes .............................................................................................9 4.2 Loss of Citizenship ................................................................................................................ 10 4.2.1 Lost Canadians ..................................................................................................................... 10 4.2.1.1 Developments During the 44th Parliament.............................................................................13 4.3 Birth in Canada to Foreign Nationals ....................................................................................15 5 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................18 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Canadian citizenship can be obtained through birth on Canadian soil, by descent through birth or adoption outside of Canada to a Canadian citizen, or through naturalization (the process by which citizenship is

FAQs

How can someone become a Canadian citizen?

Canadian citizenship may be obtained through birth in Canada, descent through a Canadian citizen (including adoption outside Canada), or naturalization.

What steps are required for naturalization?

Applicants first obtain permanent residency, then apply after meeting residency and other requirements, complete the written test based on the official study guide, attend an interview, and attend a citizenship ceremony to take the Oath or Affirmation.

Under what circumstances can citizenship be lost?

Citizenship can be revoked in cases such as obtaining or retaining citizenship through false representation, or it can be renounced voluntarily in situations like choosing another country’s citizenship that does not allow dual citizenship.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Jake