Lancan Immigration Immigration Consultants

Bill to amend the Canadian Citizenship Act, which is known as Bill C-6, has been passed by the Canadian House of Commons following its third reading. It will soon become the law once the senate has approved the proposed amendments and Royal assent is granted.

The government has proposed important changes to the Citizenship Act that would allow immigrants to apply for Canadian citizenship earlier and easier than is currently the case. The new bill mostly reverses changes made under the previous Bill C-24, which took effect in 2015.

Important changes in the proposed amendment (Bill C-6)

• Under the proposed amendments in Bill C-6, the amount of time permanent residents have to live in Canada to become eligible to apply for citizenship has been reduced to three out of five years. (Under the current law this is four out of six years )
• In addition half of the time spent in Canada on temporary basis, such as temporary resident or protected person will be counted towards meeting the physical presence requirement subject to a maximum of one year. ( The Current law has no provision to count the time spent in Canada as a temporary resident)
• Under the proposed legislation only those applicants between the age group of 18-54 are required to meet the language requirement and pass the citizenship test. (Presently permanent residents between the ages of 14-65 are required to meet the language requirement and citizenship test)
• The proposed law would repeal the provisions of intent to reside in Canada and 183 days of physical presence in any four of the six years currently in effect.