IRCC Deputy Minister Transition Binder 2026 - Citizenship Program

Context

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is responsible for Canadian citizenship, which is governed by the Citizenship Act, and defines who is Canadian by operation of law (citizenship by birth or descent) and who may become Canadian (naturalization generally from permanent residence to grant of citizenship).

Background

• The Citizenship Program governs the acquisition and loss of citizenship and promotes awareness of the rights, privileges and responsibilities of citizenship, including how newcomers and all Canadians can participate actively in their communities.
• Canada has one of the highest naturalization rates in the world; about 83% of newcomers become citizens. However, evidence indicates that the rate has been falling amongst recent immigrants.

Current Program

Citizenship Grants – Naturalization

• Permanent residents who have applied for and met the requirements of the Citizenship Act are granted citizenship. For example, requirements for an adult grant include:
  • being a permanent resident;
  • being physically present in Canada for a specified number of days (1,095 days);
  • having knowledge of Canada and one of its official languages;
  • filing taxes, if required;
  • not being prohibited;
  • taking the Oath of Citizenship.

Citizenship Proofs/Certificates

• Certificates (paper or electronic) are provided to Canadian citizens who apply for evidence of their citizenship.
  • Birth on soil: Any child born in Canada is Canadian, except for children born to an accredited foreign diplomat. A Canadian provincial or territorial birth certificate is evidence of citizenship.
  • Descent: On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025), came into force, updating the rules to citizenship by descent. Prior to this, automatic citizenship by descent was limited to the first generation born outside of Canada. This meant that any child born outside Canada was Canadian if one of the Canadian parents was either born in Canada or naturalized before the birth of the child (with some exceptions). Bill C-3 changed these rules by:
    • Restoring and giving citizenship to people born outside Canada to a Canadian parent in the second generation or later before December 15, 2025, who would have been citizens if not for the first-generation limit or certain outdated provisions of earlier citizenship laws.
    • Providing access to citizenship by descent for those born outside of Canada to a Canadian parent in the second generation or later on or after December 15, 2025, where the Canadian parent has spent at least 1,095 cumulative days (three years) in Canada before their birth.

Loss of Citizenship

• Renunciation: Individuals may apply and be approved to renounce (give up) their citizenship if they are at least 18 years of age, do not live in Canada, have or will acquire another citizenship, and understand the significance of renouncing their citizenship.
• Revocation: Citizenship may be revoked if it was acquired through fraud, false representation or by knowingly concealing material circumstances.
• Recall: The Registrar of Canadian Citizenship must recall and cancel a certificate of citizenship, certificate of naturalization or certificate of renunciation issued under the current Citizenship Act, former legislation or any related regulations, if the Minister decides the holder is not entitled to the certificate.

Citizenship Awareness and Accessibility

• The Citizenship Program also promotes awareness of the rights (for example, to vote and hold a passport) and responsibilities of citizenship, to educate newcomers and Canadians about Canadian citizenship. Citizenship judges appointed by the Governor-in-Council preside over citizenship ceremonies, decide on physical presence for certain applications and engage in promotional activities.
• Educational resources available include a citizenship study guide that supports the knowledge test, which is administered to all applicants between the ages of 18 and 54. It contains information about the history of Canada, how our government works, symbols of Canada and the Canadian regions.

Recent Developments

Legislative and Policy

• Citizenship modernization: The Citizenship Program has the authorities to enable collection and use of biometric information for citizenship grant processing. [Redacted]

  Program Management

  • Citizenship judges: Citizenship judges have three roles: presiding over citizenship ceremonies, decision-making on physical presence for certain applications and promoting citizenship in the community. There are currently ten citizenship judges across the country. Nine out of ten judges' terms will expire in June 2027, with the tenth in May 2028. [Redacted]
  • Citizenship study guide: A new citizenship study guide has been created, in collaboration with over 95 partners, in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Canada’s Call to Action 93 to be more inclusive of the perspectives and history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The new guide is [Redacted] for release.
  • Citizenship ceremonies: IRCC delivers both in-person and virtual ceremonies and clients can request a change of ceremony format should they wish. In 2024–2025, the number of in-person ceremonies represented approximately 45% of all ceremonies and in 2025–2026, it is expected that they will represent approximately 48% of all ceremonies. The Indigenous Participants Program (IPP) is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships between newcomers, Indigenous Peoples, and Canadians by creating opportunities for shared learning, dialogue, and reflection on the histories, rights, cultures, and contemporary realities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples at citizenship ceremonies. In 2025–2026, 182 Indigenous participants were present at ceremonies, which is an increase of 10% from 2024–2025, which had 165 Indigenous participants. The IPP has relationships with over 64 nations across Canada. In 2025–2026, the program launched a youth component to have Indigenous youth connect with newcomers by speaking, performing a song, or sharing something meaningful to them.