Canadian Citizenship Oath could be taken online per the latest modifications proposed by IRCC. The department recently declared the new proposed modifications that would provide flexibility to newcomers. Furthermore, the new Canadian citizens would be able to swear online without the presence of any citizenship judge. Beginning in June 2023, this might be applicable.
An oath is mandatory when an individual acquires Canadian citizenship. This oath reflects citizens’ commitment to Canadian laws, rules, and regulations. Typically, this kind of oath requires Canadian citizens to swear and accept all their duties before a judge at citizenship ceremonies. However, these ceremonies usually take place on weekdays and during working hours. Consequently, the department states that several new citizens of Canada require to pause their work schedule to attend citizenship ceremonies. Also, this break from their work isn’t paid.
The new proposals regarding the amendments in the Canadian Citizenship Oath suggest that Sean Fraser might permit new Canadians to swear online without the presence of an authorized individual. Moreover, they will be able to proceed with ‘self-administration.’ They will have the right to take the oath using online solutions which are safe to use. Hence, they will now be able to sign an attestation digitally without any witness.
IRCC firmly believes that it will be able to make the oath process more convenient and eventually enhance the client experience. As a result, IRCC can hope for reduced processing times and backlog. According to the department, the three-month processing time will get over too. Currently, the citizenship time is twenty-four months which will further reduce to 21 months.
Canadian Citizenship Oath- existing backlogs
Numerous applicants apply for Canadian citizenship each year. A few reasons, such as a rise in demand and the pandemic have led to prolonged application processing times. This means the department surpassed the standard processing time of 12 months.
Despite this, Canada is prepared to receive more than half a million new PRs toward the end of 2025. According to reports, the present citizenship application inventory stands at 358,000. Additionally, this will only rise with new PRs, and processing times will be delayed.
IRCC has also resorted to digital and technological solutions to combat prolonged processing times. The department took several other measures to digitalize the citizenship program, displaying outcomes even in the previous year.
A few of these measures include the digital processing of citizenship applications, online tests, and conducting digital citizenship oath ceremonies.
Due to these measures, IRCC is on the right path and will be processing nearly 300,000 new applications for citizenship. This will happen in the fiscal years 2022-2023 and will witness a 34 percent rise compared to 2021-2022.
Presently, the public has about 30 days to provide their feedback on these proposed amendments.
Canadian Citizenship and the eligibility parameters
To gain eligibility for Canadian citizenship, individuals must fulfill the following parameters:
- Hold permanent residency.
- Filing of taxes.
- We are clearing a Canadian citizenship test between the age group of 18 and 54 years.
- Demonstrating language proficiency.
- Fulfilling the physical presence needs in Canada.
Meeting Canada’s physical presence requirements indicate that the individual must have resided in the country for a minimum of three years. This accounts for 1,095 days within the last five years before the Canadian citizenship application.
In an instance where the individual has resided in Canada as a temporary resident and protected individual, they can utilize that specific time toward fulfilling the physical presence requirement.
Days spent in Canada as temporary residents or protected individuals five years before one’s application would be calculated as half days. However, these people can utilize up to one year or 365 days toward the physical presence requirement.
IRCCs decision on waiving the citizenship application fees
Prior to the pandemic stage, Canada’s government declared that it would be waiving the citizenship fees for new applicants. Additionally, Sean Fraser even included this in the mandate letter. This letter is a crucial immigration document on which the minister must prioritize things.
Fraser hadn’t revealed the date of waiving off the fees because this authority doesn’t remain with IRCC. Moreover, this will be decided by the federal budgetary process.
