Canada has clarified the age requirements for foreign nationals seeking citizenship, setting 18 as the minimum age for adult applications while allowing minors to qualify through two separate application routes.
According to MSN, Microsoft’s online news platform, on Thursday, the guidelines issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) distinguish between applications involving children with Canadian parents and those whose parents are not applying for citizenship alongside them.
Under the regulations, foreign nationals aged 18 and above must satisfy the eligibility conditions for adult citizenship.
However, applicants below 18 can pursue citizenship through two categories: Minor 5(2) and Minor 5(1), with the appropriate option determined by their family circumstances and legal status.
IRCC said the Minor 5(2) category covers children with at least one Canadian parent or those whose parent is submitting a citizenship application at the same time.
“Under the guidelines, applicants aged 18 and above must meet the standard eligibility requirements for adult citizenship applications.
“However, children below 18 can apply through two separate categories, known as Minor 5(2) and Minor 5(1), depending on their family and legal circumstances.
The Minor 5(2) pathway applies to children who have at least one Canadian parent or whose parent is applying for Canadian citizenship at the same time.
Applications under this category must be submitted by the child’s biological parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian,” IRCC said.
Children applying through this route must hold permanent resident status and must not be affected by any citizenship prohibition.
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The Minor 5(1) category, on the other hand, is available to children without a Canadian parent or whose parents are not seeking citizenship alongside them.
Applications under this option may be submitted by a broader group of adults, including individuals who have legal custody of the child. The applicant is not required to be a Canadian citizen.
Where no eligible adult is available to act on the minor’s behalf, the child is permitted to submit the application independently.
However, applicants under Minor 5(1) must satisfy additional conditions beyond the permanent residency requirement attached to the other category.
These include meeting the required period of physical presence in Canada and, where applicable, providing evidence of income tax filings.
The immigration authority also outlined separate provisions for applicants aged 14 to 17.
Teenagers within this age bracket whose citizenship applications receive approval are required to take the citizenship oath during a formal ceremony.
Children below 14 are exempt from the oath-taking requirement.
The guidelines therefore allow children and teenagers to acquire Canadian citizenship before turning 18, provided they meet the conditions under either of the two minor application categories.
IRCC advised foreign nationals and families interested in obtaining Canadian citizenship to consult its official citizenship guidelines to establish the requirements applicable to their circumstances before applying.