Government of Canada facilitates access to Canadian citizenship for minors
February 16, 2018 – Ottawa, ON – The Government is committed to encouraging all immigrants, including minors under 18 years of age, to acquire citizenship. To help make that easier, the fee for minors applying under subsection 5(1) of the Citizenship Act has been reduced.
On June 19, 2017, the royal assent of Bill C-6 immediately brought into force a legislative amendment that removed the requirement to be 18 years old to apply for a grant of citizenship under subsection 5(1) of the Citizenship Act. This made it easier for minors to apply for citizenship on their own behalf. One of the strongest pillars for successful integration into Canadian life is acquiring Canadian citizenship.
The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced changes to the fee schedule set out in the Citizenship Regulations to lower the processing fees for minors applying under subsection 5(1) of the Citizenship Act from $530 to $100, bringing them into line with the processing fees for minors applying under subsection 5(2) of the Act.
This ensures that there is no difference in the fee paid by citizenship grant applicants who are minors, regardless of whether they have a Canadian parent, are applying with a permanent resident parent or are applying on their own behalf.
Anyone who already paid the $530 fee for a minor applying under this subsection on or after June 19, 2017, will be reimbursed the difference of $430. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will contact these applicants directly to outline the process for receiving a refund.
Minors who do not have a Canadian parent, or a permanent resident parent applying for citizenship at the same time as them, can apply for citizenship under subsection 5(1) of the Citizenship Act. Therefore, the reduction in citizenship fees will help more minors, including immigrant children in the child welfare system or in the care of the state, acquire Canadian citizenship.
The department will be engaging provinces and territories, childcare agencies, immigration service provider organizations and other stakeholders to raise awareness of this change. The department will also provide information on how these institutions can assist minors in their care to acquire citizenship.
Minors applying for citizenship
 Minor (under age 18) has a Canadian parent or a parent who is applying for citizenship at the same time |  Minor (under age 18) does not have a Canadian parent or a parent who is applying for citizenship at the same time | |
|---|---|---|
| Form to use | Citizenship application form 5(2) |
Citizenship application form 5(1) minors |
| Fee | $100 | $100 |
| Are a permanent resident |
Yes | Yes |
| Meet language and knowledge requirements for citizenship | No | No |
| Have been physically present in Canada 3 out of the last 5 years |
No | Yes |
| Have filed income tax | No | Yes If required to do so by CRA (see instruction guidefor more information). |
| Required to take the Oath of Citizenship | Yes If 14 years of age or older |
Yes If 14 years of age or older |
| Signature required on the application form |
Yes A parent or person having custody of the minor, or empowered to act on their behalf, must sign. Minors 14+ must also sign. |
Yes A person having custody of the minor, or empowered to act on their behalf, must sign. This requirement can be waived. Minors 14+ must also sign. |