Canadian Citizenship for Minors: A Comprehensive Overview

Canadian Citizenship for Minors: A Comprehensive Overview

Many foreigners dream of settling in Canada. Immigrant parents and guardians value the opportunity to give their children the greatest possible future, and attaining Canadian citizenship is a critical step in that process. From understanding eligibility criteria to completing the application process, we’re here to provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to achieve this significant milestone.

Ready to learn how to obtain Canadian citizenship for minors? Then, join us as we help you obtain Canadian citizenship for minors.

Citizenship for minors in Canada

Minors’ citizenship in Canada is critical to ensuring that young people have a bright and prosperous future. Minors can become Canadian citizens by naturalization or birth, as part of the country’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity. This citizenship gives them a variety of privileges and rights, including access to:

• Education,
• Healthcare,
• Social services and
• Participate in democratic processes.

Minors who choose Canadian citizenship acquire a sense of belonging and opportunity in Canada’s varied community, paving the way for personal and professional development. There are essentially two paths to citizenship for minors in Canada.

With a Canadian Parent (Section 5(2)

The Canadian Parent (Subsection 5(2)) is the faster and easier option. Minors can apply if at least one Canadian parent (biological or adoptive) is a citizen or is applying concurrently.

Without a Canadian Parent (Subsection 5.1)

The Canadian Parent (Subsection 5(1) path) necessitates completing residency criteria (1095 days in Canada in the previous five years) and maybe filing tax returns. It is appropriate for minors who do not have a Canadian parent applying with them.

Steps to Obtain Canadian Citizenship for Minors

Many parents and guardians require a clear path to apply for Canadian citizenship for their children, from confirming eligibility to applying. Here is a breakdown of the stages for minors to obtain Canadian citizenship.

Step 1: Determine the minors’ eligibility to apply for Canadian citizenship.

The first stage in obtaining citizenship for your minor is to ascertain if they qualify under Subsection 5(2) (with a Canadian parent applying concurrently) or Subsection 5(1) (without a Canadian parent applying). Other eligibility requirements include:

• Being under the age of 18 on the day you sign the application.
• As a permanent resident (landed immigrant) of Canada,
• Being present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the five years before your application,
• Filing personal income taxes for at least three years out of five, as required by the Income Tax Act.
• I don’t have a Canadian parent
• Not under a deportation order, and
• Not being inadmissible or restricted for criminal or security reasons.

It is important to note that the five-year eligibility period begins just five years before the date you sign the application.

Citizenship by Birth Exception in Canada.

A kid born in Canada will not get Canadian citizenship if they were born to:

• A Foreign Diplomat,
• A Canadian representative or employee of a foreign government,
• An employee working for the aforementioned individual,
• An officer or employee of a United Nations agency or another international body who has been granted diplomatic privileges or immunities.

This does not apply if either parent was a Canadian citizen or permanent resident when the child was born.

Individuals Who Can Submit the Application on behalf of the Minor

A person in possession of the minor or authorized to act on the minor’s behalf may apply. This could be:

• A biological parent has legal custody of the kid.
• An adoptive parent who has legal custody over the minor,
• A person or agency can present court documentation verifying custody of the youngster, and
• A person or agency that can issue an order of permanent guardianship for the youngster.

Step 2: Determine how long the minor has been in Canada.

Use the online calculator to determine whether a minor fits the requirements for Canadian citizenship, then print and submit the result with your application.

When estimating your minor time in Canada, consider:

• Only the five (5) years immediately before the date of your application are taken into consideration.
• Each day you spend in Canada as a protected person or temporary resident before obtaining permanent residency (PR) is counted as half a day, with a maximum of 365 days.
• Every day you spend in Canada after becoming a permanent resident counts as one day.
• Time spent serving a sentence for a crime in Canada (e.g., imprisonment, probation, or parole) does not count towards your physical presence.

To effectively use the physical presence calculator, you must:

• Fill out all of the needed information.
• Please enter all dates accurately.
• List any time spent serving a sentence in Canada within the last five years, and
• List all times you were gone from Canada for business, travel, or vacation in the previous five years.

Step 3: Gather the required documents.

The following lists the documents you must gather and submit with your application for Canadian citizenship for minors.

Applying for Canadian Citizenship

If you apply under subsection 5(1) [CIT 0403], you must complete and submit a Minors Application for Canadian Citizenship – Minors (under the age of 18).

Online Physical Presence Calculation

You must submit an original printout of the minor’s How to Calculate Physical Presence form [CIT 0407].

Photocopy proof of custody of the minor.

Make sure you submit a photocopy of your custody of the minor. This includes the following:

• Birth certificate
• Adoption Order
• Documents from provincial/territorial courts conferring custodial guardianship,
• An order for permanent guardianship.

Passports and Travel Documents

You must produce color photocopies of all pages of your passport(s) and travel documentation (valid and canceled) during the five-year eligibility period, including the biographical page, which includes:

• Name,
• Photo,
• Date and location of birth:
• Document number and
• Dates of issuance and expiration.

Photocopy of two identification documents.

You must produce two forms of identification, which can include the following documents:

• The biographical page in the minor’s passport or travel document
• Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)
• A provincial, territorial, or federal government-issued identity card
• Social Services Card,
• A Canadian driver’s license,
• Canadian Health Insurance Card,
• School ID card,
• Non-government-issued identification,
• Foreign identification documents.

Identical citizenship photos.

Make sure you print the Citizenship Photo Specifications page and take it to a photographer to get the exact size photo for each of your IDs.

Fee receipt

You must include a copy or copies (if appropriate) of your application fee receipt. The application fee of CAD 100.00 per minor must be paid online.

Use a Representative Form

You must complete the Use of Representative form (IMM 5476) and Guide IMM 5561 – Use of a Representative. Use the Document Checklist [CIT 0560] to make sure your application is complete.

Step 4: Fill out the application form for Canadian citizenship.

While filling out the application form, you must:

• You must answer all of the questions on this form unless advised differently.
• Download and complete the form on a computer.
• You can also save your form and fill it out later.
• Read and answer the following questions to help you fill out the form.
• If you are filling out this application for a juvenile under the age of 18, keep in mind that all of the questions are about the minor.

Translating documents

Make sure to include an English or French translation, as well as an affidavit from the individual who translated your application. A person fluent in English and French, as well as a Canadian-certified translator, can complete translations.

If your translation was not completed by a Canadian-certified translator, the person who did it must provide an affidavit demonstrating their language competency and accuracy.

Certification of Copies

To obtain a photocopy of a certified document, an authorized person must compare the original document to the copied one and determine whether it contains the following details:

• Name and signature of the authorized individual,
• Official Position or Title,
• The name of the original document
• The date they certified the document,
• Statement “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”

Step 5: Pay the required application fees.

Be careful to pay your fees online. If you forget your password for the online payment system, go to the Help Center’s How do I reset my password? page. Each applicant under the age of 18 is subject to a cost of 100 CAD.

Calculate Your Fees

If more than one family member is applying for Canadian citizenship (for example, minor siblings), please pay all fees jointly.

Process for Paying Your Application Fees

To pay your application expenses, you will need:

• A valid email address.
• You will need a printer to print the receipt.
• A credit card, MasterCard®, or Visa® debit card.

Follow the methods below to pay:

• Go to Online Payment.
• Follow the online procedures and, at the conclusion, select “print the IRCC official receipt with a barcode.” Print two copies,
• Attach a copy of this receipt to your completed application and retain the second copy for your records.

Step 6: Submit your application.

There are essentially two ways to apply for citizenship as a minor. This includes:

Regular Mail

If you intend to send your application via regular mail, please send it to the Case Processing Centre-Sydney, P.O. Box 700, Sydney, NS B1P 6V6.

Courier

If you intend to submit your application via courier, please send it to IRCC Digitization Centre – Citizenship, 3050 Wilson Ave, New Waterford, NS B1H 5V8.

The advantages of citizenship for minors in Canada

Obtaining Canadian citizenship provides major benefits for minors (those under the age of 18) who live in Canada. These advantages go beyond simply possessing legal status; they also influence their future opportunities, sense of belonging, and ability to contribute to society.

Legal Status in Canada.

Canadian citizenship gives permanent legal status, removing the concerns connected with temporary residency. This includes the freedom to live and work in Canada without restrictions. Minors with citizenship are not at risk of deportation owing to changes in their parent’s immigration status. This stability provides peace of mind to both minors and their families.

Access to publicly funded education in Canada.

Canada has a world-class public education system. Canadian citizenship offers access to this high-quality education from elementary to secondary school, with little or no tuition. This results in significant cost savings for families while also ensuring minors have a solid educational foundation for future success.

Healthcare coverage in Canada.

Canadian citizenship offers access to the country’s universal healthcare system, Medicare. This guarantees that minors obtain the appropriate medical treatment without incurring unnecessary costs. This extensive healthcare coverage provides a sense of security and well-being to minors and their families.

Get social services in Canada.

Minors who hold Canadian citizenship are eligible for a variety of social benefits. Low-income families might benefit from financial assistance programs, child welfare services, and disability benefits. This provides a safety net for needy families and helps youngsters achieve their full potential.

Employment Opportunities in Canada.

Certain government employment and scholarships in Canada are limited to Canadians. Citizenship provides access to a broader range of career pathways and potentially higher-paying work opportunities. Minors who become citizens will be more competitive in the Canadian labour market.

Political Participation in Canada.

When Canadian citizens reach the age of 18, they get the right to vote and shape their country’s future. This encourages civic engagement and gives kids a voice in problems that directly impact them. Citizenship provides a stronger connection to Canada and allows individuals to actively contribute to society.

Travel Benefits in Canada:

A Canadian passport grants visa-free travel to numerous countries provides access to travel insurance, simplifies travel plans, and opens the door to worldwide educational and employment opportunities. Minors can now explore different cultures and widen their horizons thanks to a wider selection of travel alternatives.

Protection Abroad in Canada.

Canadian citizenship entitles you to consular services overseas. Minors with citizenship who travel or live outside of Canada can seek emergency assistance from Canadian embassies and consulates. This ensures that they have some level of support and protection when overseas.

Right to Sponsor Family Members in Canada.

Once they reach adulthood, Canadian citizens can sponsor their parents, grandparents, and siblings for immigration to Canada. This helps them to reconcile with close family members while also helping to create a solid support structure in Canada.

Cultural and Civic Integration in Canada.

Citizenship develops a sense of belonging and promotes cultural and civic integration. Minors who are citizens are more likely to participate in community events, learn about Canadian culture, and feel a better connection to their nation. This encourages social cohesion and a sense of common identity.

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