Can children apply for Canadian citizenship?
Yes. Children under 18 can apply for citizenship. Of course, the rules and requirements depend on the child’s family and immigration situation. Don’t worry—below, I’ll explain everything you need to know about the application for Canadian citizenship for minors, based on official information from the Government of Canada.
Minor application for Canadian citizenship: What you need to know
First, it’s important to note that Canada has two different application processes for minors under 18. They are called Minor 5(1) and Minor 5(2).
The main difference between the two is the relationship between the child and their parents, and whether the parents are Canadian citizens or applying for citizenship at the same time.
Because of this, the requirements, application process, required documents, and application forms can vary depending on the child’s category. Let’s go step by step to explain what each case means and what is required based on official guidelines from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) .
Requirements for applying for citizenship under Minor 5(1) Section
This situation applies when a child does not have a Canadian citizen parent, and that parent is not applying for citizenship. In other words, the child cannot obtain citizenship through their parents. To apply for citizenship under Minor 5(1), the child must meet the following requirements:
Be a permanent resident
All applicants for Canadian citizenship must have valid permanent resident status. This is one of the most important requirements. The child must not have an order of removal and must not have any unmet conditions that could affect their permanent resident status.
Have sufficient physical presence in Canada
Similar to the adult process, minors applying in this category must meet the physical presence requirement. They must have lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) during the five years before signing the application. During that time, they must also have been a permanent resident for at least 730 days. Only days when the child was physically in Canada count.
File income taxes if required
In some cases, a child may need to show that they filed income tax returns for at least three years during the five-year period. This requirement does not apply to every child. It depends on the child’s personal situation and whether they were legally required to file taxes. That’s why it’s important to check if this applies to your case.
Take the citizenship oath
If the child is between 14 and 17 years old, they must take the oath of citizenship. This is the final step to officially becoming a Canadian citizen. If the child is under 14, taking the oath is optional. They may attend the ceremony and take the oath if they wish, but it is not required.
Must not be under a prohibition
This is an essential requirement. The IRCC will not approve the Canadian citizenship application if the minor is subject to a prohibition. Most prohibitions are related to criminal or security reasons, whether they occurred in Canada or elsewhere.
In some cases, these prohibitions are temporary and last only for a specific period. Nevertheless, it is crucial to ensure that the child is not subject to any prohibitions before applying.
How to obtain Canadian citizenship for a child under Minor 5(2)
The Minor 5(2) situation applies when a child has at least one parent who is a Canadian citizen or is applying for citizenship at the same time as the minor. This option is usually simpler than Minor 5(1) and has fewer requirements.
Be a permanent resident
As in the Minor 5(1) case, the child must be a permanent resident of Canada before applying. That part does not change.
The main difference is that under Minor 5(2), the child does not need to be physically present. This means the child does not need to have lived in Canada for a specific number of days. Also under this category, the child is not required to file income tax returns.
Take the oath of citizenship
As in the previous case, if the child is 14 years old or older, they must take the oath of citizenship during the citizenship ceremony. Taking the oath is required to become a Canadian citizen officially.
The child must not be under any prohibition
IRCC will not approve a Canadian citizenship application if the child is subject to any type of prohibition. Most prohibitions are related to criminal or security reasons. If a prohibition exists, the application will be refused.
What documents are required for a Canadian citizenship application for a minor?
The required documents depend on the category under which the child is applying, just like the requirements. It is crucial to carefully review the official document checklist to ensure that you include all the necessary documents.
You must also ensure that all information is correct and that the documents are in English or French. Any mistake or missing document can cause delays or, in the worst case, result in a refusal.
Below, you’ll find the main documents that are always required. Depending on your situation, you may need to send additional documents.
Document checklist: Application for Canadian citizenship for minors under subsection 5(1)
1. Application for Canadian Citizenship for Minors (Under 18 Years of Age) Applying Under Subsection 5(1) (CIT 0403)
This form must be fully completed and validated. If the child is between 14 and 17 years old, they must sign it. If the child is under 14, a parent or legal guardian must sign the form.
2. Online Physical Presence Calculation Printout or How to Calculate Physical Presence (CIT 0407).
Ensure that the application date used in this calculation matches the date on the application form.
3. Colour photocopy of all pages of the minor’s passport(s) and travel document(s) from the five-year eligibility period.
This includes the biographical page with the child’s name, photo, date and place of birth, passport or travel document number, issue date, and expiration date. If the passport or travel document was extended, include copies of the pages with the extension stamps. And if the child does not have a passport or travel document, explain the reason in question 15 of the application form.
4. Colour photocopy of two pieces of the minor’s personal identification are required.
These must show the child’s name and date of birth. At least one must include a photo.
5. Photocopy documents proving that you have custody of the child or are legally allowed to act on the child’s behalf.
6. Two identical citizenship photos.
These photos must meet the official citizenship photo specifications.
7. For minors under 14 years old, include a photocopy of all official school or education records.
8. Fee receipt.
Document checklist: Application for Canadian citizenship for minors under subsection 5(2)
1. Application for Canadian Citizenship for Minors (Under 18 Years of Age) Under Subsection 5(2) (CIT 0003).
As in the previous case, this form must be completed appropriately, validated, and signed.
2. Colour photocopy of all biographical pages of the minor’s passport(s) or travel documents from the five (5) year eligibility period.
3. Colour photocopy of two (2) pieces of the minor’s personal identification.
4. Photocopy of the minor’s birth certificate or adoption order.
5. Two (2) identical citizenship photos.
6. Photocopy of the parents’ proof of Canadian citizenship, if applicable.
7. Fee receipt.
FAQs
How much does it cost to apply for Canadian citizenship for a minor?
The fee to apply for Canadian citizenship for a child under 18 is 100 Canadian dollars. This fee remains the same, regardless of whether the child is applying under Minor 5(1) or Minor 5(2). Note that this fee covers only application processing and does not include the additional citizenship rights fee that adults must pay.
What is the processing time for a minor’s citizenship application?
On average, processing a citizenship application takes about 13 months. However, this timeframe can vary significantly depending on IRCC’s workload, the completeness of your application, and whether they require additional information from you. You can track your application status using the online tool.
How do I apply for Canadian citizenship for a minor?
Depending on your situation, you can apply online or by paper. In most cases, applying online is the easiest and fastest option. Create an IRCC online account, complete the form, upload all required documents, pay the $100 fee, and submit everything electronically.
Before submitting your application, ensure that all forms are completed and signed, all required documents are included, and the fee has been paid. Also, confirm that all documents are in English or French. If anything is missing or incorrect, IRCC may return the application, delaying the process.
And if you’re not sure which category applies to your child, take a moment to review your situation carefully or leave us a comment below.