CIMM – Citizenship Fees – October 24, 2023

Key Facts and Figures

• The Department currently collects several fees for the purpose of delivering citizenship services, as prescribed in Citizenship Regulations, including citizenship grant application fees (adults $530, minors $100), right of citizenship fee ($100), proof of citizenship ($75), renunciation ($100), search of citizenship records ($75), and resumption of citizenship ($530 for adults, $100 for minors).
• Citizenship grant application fees were last amended in 2015 when the service fee for adult grant applicants increased from $300 to $530. The $100 Right of Citizenship fee for adult grant applicants has remained unchanged since being established in 1995.
•  In December 2019, the Minister’s mandate letter included the commitment to eliminate fees for permanent residents fulfilling the requirements to obtain citizenship. This commitment was re-affirmed in the mandate letter issued in December 2021.

Key Messages

• The Government is considering bringing forward a plan to eliminate fees for citizenship for permanent residents who have fulfilled the requirements needed to obtain it.
• Obtaining Canadian citizenship allows permanent residents to fully participate in Canadian society and contribute to its prosperity, which benefits both the applicant and Canada.

Supplementary Information

• If pressed on when mandate commitment will be implemented:
  The Department is developing options to eliminate citizenship application fees at the earliest opportunity, while balancing the need to address affordability within the context of the current economic climate.