There are several circumstances where your application may be considered a non-routine application. They include:

• If you request to change your personal information such as your name, sex or gender identifier or date of birth
• If you missed a test, interview, or hearing
• If you are requested to submit additional documents such as fingerprints or residence documents
• If you are requested to attend another interview or a hearing after attending an interview
• If you failed a test
• If you failed to meet the language requirements during your interview

Note that if your application is non-routine this may result in substantial delays in processing.

Yes, applications for citizenship services can be processed urgently in some situations. Here is a list of urgent situations:

• If you need Canadian citizenship to apply for a job
• If you need Canadian citizenship to prevent losing a job
• If you need to attend a Canadian school, college, or university
• If you need to travel for reasons like death or serious illness in the family and you can’t get a passport in your current nationality
• If you have received a Federal Court decision on an appeal after previously applying for citizenship

While urgent processing can be requested in these and similar circumstances, it is up to the discretion of the citizenship authorities as to whether they will entertain the request.

When applying for citizenship, you may hire someone such as a citizenship application lawyer to represent you. However, this person must be authorized by the immigration authorities to do so. Authorized representatives include immigration lawyers, articling students, certain paralegals, and immigration consultants who are members of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council.

Adults (18 years and above) are required to pay a processing fee of $530 and a right of citizenship fee of $100. For stateless adults who are born to a Canadian parent a right of citizenship fee of $100 will apply. Minors pay a processing fee of $100.

There are also additional citizenship fees and services such as:

• Citizenship certificate (to show proof of citizenship) – $75
• Resume your citizenship -$530 (for 18 years and above) or $100 (for under 18)
• Renounce your citizenship -$100
• Right of citizenship – $100

Canadian law permits citizens of other countries to become Canadian citizens. This means that you can be both a Canadian citizen and still retain your home country’s citizenship. However, there are countries that do not allow dual citizenship which is why you need to find out from the consulate or embassy of your home country if dual citizenship will apply to you.

You can apply for citizenship while a student provided that you meet all of the requirements for citizenship, including being a permanent resident, having resided in Canada for at least 3 years in the past 5 years as a permanent resident, filing income tax returns if required, and speak adequate English or French.

Once you qualify for citizenship and make your application, you do not need to remain in Canada while the application processes. However, you may be required to return to Canada for purposes of the citizenship test or the oath ceremony.

Canada is an inclusive country which welcomes new citizens who meet the relevant requirements. Canadian citizens have the right to freedom of movement, including leaving and entering the country.

The fastest way to obtain Canadian citizenship is to become a permanent resident of Canada then apply for citizenship after meeting the residency requirement of being physically in Canada for at least 3 of the past 5 years.