FAQ for Canadian Citizenship

Questions

1. What should I do if I move after I apply for citizenship?

You can change your address you can contact the Future Concern Call Centre. When you change your address, you will have to provide both your old andnew addresses.

2. How much does it cost to apply for Canadian citizenship?

The fee for adults is C$200, which includes a C$100 processing fee and a C$100 right of citizenship fee. For children under 18, there is a C$100 processing fee only.

3. What if my application is turned down? Will I get my money back?

If you do not meet all the requirements to become a Canadian citizen, we will send you a letter explaining the decision and what you can do next.
If an adult is not granted citizenship, we will refund the C$100 right of citizenship fee. However, the C$100 processing fee is non-refundable.
If a minor child is not granted citizenship, the C$100 processing fee is non-refundable.

4. Where can I find out the status of my citizenship application and the processing time?

For information about the status of your citizenship application, or to find out how long it takes to become a Canadian citizen, visit the Future Concern website  or Visit our Face Book.

5. Who has to write the citizenship test?

Only people between the ages of 18 and 54 must take the citizenship test (written or oral, or both). If you are 55 or older, you do not have to take the test, although you will be scheduled to appear at the local office for a review of your original documents (personal identification, immigration documents, etc.) you submitted with your application and your passport or travel documents relevant to the four years preceding your application. You may also be scheduled to appear for an interview with a citizenship judge. Children who are under 18 years of age at the time of application do not have to take the citizenship test.

6. Who has to take the oath of citizenship?

Applicants who are 14 and older must attend the citizenship ceremony to take the oath of citizenship, including applicants 55 or older. Children under the age of 14 are not required to take the oath of citizenship, although they are welcome to attend the ceremony.

7. I am still a citizen of another country. Will I lose that citizenship if I become a Canadian?

Under Canadian law, a Canadian is allowed to be a citizen of another country as well. Some countries, however, will not let you keep their citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen. The consulate or embassy of your other country of citizenship can let you know if this applies to you.

8. What happens if I miss the citizenship test, my interview or the ceremony?

During the processing of your application, you must attend a series of events in order to meet all of the requirements to become a citizen. We will mail you notices telling you when and where to go for the citizenship test, interview (if applicable) and citizenship ceremony. All events take place in Canada. If you do not appear for any of these events, your file may be closed. You will then have to re-apply, pay the fees and go through the entire process again.
As a reminder, if you know in advance that you will be absent, please visit  Future Concern website  or Visit our Face Book. .

9. Could I be a Canadian citizen and not know it?

If you are uncertain about whether you are a Canadian citizen, we encourage you to use our online self-assessment tool before applying for a proof of Canadian citizenship.

In general, if you were born in Canada, you are a Canadian citizen. If you were born in Canada after February 14, 1977, and at the time of your birth, your parents were not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and at least one parent had diplomatic status in Canada, you are not a citizen. If you were born in Canada before February 15, 1977, to a parent who was a foreign diplomat in Canada, contact Future Concern website  or Visit our Face Book. for more information on eligibility.

If you were born in another country

In general, you are a Canadian citizen if you became a citizen through the naturalization process in Canada (i.e., you were a permanent resident [a landed immigrant] before you became a citizen).
In general, you are a Canadian citizen if you were born outside Canada and one of your parents was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth, and that parent was either born in Canada or naturalized in Canada (“naturalized” means that the parent was a permanent resident [a landed immigrant] before becoming a citizen). You are the first generation born outside Canada.
You may be a Canadian citizen if you were born outside Canada between January 1, 1947, and April 16, 2009, inclusive, to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada to a Canadian parent (you are the second or subsequent generation born outside Canada). If you think this may apply to you and you need more information, please visit Future Concern website  or Visit our Face Book.
If you were a British subject residing in Canada when the Canadian Citizenship Act came into force on January 1, 1947, or you were born outside Canada to a British subject parent who might have become a citizen on that date, contact us to find out how to confirm whether or not you are a citizen