New citizenship rules on language, residency to kick in Oct. 11

Relaxed rules for obtaining Canadian citizenship will kick in on Oct. 11, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Ahmed Hussen announced Wednesday.

Hussen said at an event in Brampton, Ont. that the new requirements will make the path to join the "Canadian family" easier and more flexible.

"As a country that's committed to the settlement and integration of newcomers successfully so they can restart their lives and make contributions to our society, we have to ensure the path to citizenship for permanent residents," he said.

• Proposed changes in citizenship oath
• Pledging honour for Indigenous treaties

Hussen said today's announcement checks off a major campaign promise for the Liberals.

The new rules include:

• The required duration of a physical presence in Canada is reduced to three out of five years, from four out of six years.
• A portion of time spent in Canada before permanent resident status will count towards residency requirements, which will give credit to temporary workers and students.
• The age range for language and knowledge requirements reduced to 18-54 years old, from the previous requirement of 14-64.

CBC News has reported that there was a significant drop in the number of immigrants applying to become Canadian citizens after a sharp fee increase was brought in three years ago.

In the first nine months of 2016, there were 56,446 applications filed for citizenship, a decrease of nearly 50 per cent from the same period a year earlier, when 111,993 applications were submitted.

The processing fee jumped from $100 to $530 in 2014-2015, which amounts to a tripling of the previous cost when the additional $100 "right of citizenship" fee is added in.

More information on the citizenship application process is on the IRCC website, and new forms will be available on Oct. 11.

The changes are part of a broader overhaul of the Citizenship Act, Bill C6, which passed in the House of Commons in June.