The federal government hiked the citizenship fee for adults effective midnight March 31, 2025, impacting thousands of permanent residents eagerly seeking Canadian citizenship abroad. Applicants submitting Canadian citizenship forms henceforth face steeper costs of $119.75, up from a prior rate of $100.
Who exactly gets impacted by such a drastic alteration nowadays?
Permanent residents 18 years or older seeking Canadian citizenship after March 31, 2025, face a steep fee increase. People who submitted a fairly complete online application way before the deadline and paid the former hundred-dollar fee won't be negatively impacted. Those who submitted paperwork before the deadline may need to pay the difference subsequently anyway.
New Citizenship fee Breakdown for adults
| Fee Type | Before March 31, 2025 | After March 31, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Fee | $530 | $530 |
| Right of Citizenship Fee | $100 | $119.75 |
| Total Payable | $630 | $649.75 |
Other Important Points:
- Minors (under 18) will continue paying only a $100 processing fee.
- Stateless adults born to a Canadian parent must also pay the increased $119.75.
What Does It Take to Become a Canadian Citizen?
Canadian citizenship can be obtained via naturalization if the criteria outlined in the Canadian Citizenship Act are met by applicants quite straightforwardly. Qualifying requires stuff listed right here.
Eligibility Criteria for Canadian Citizenship:
- Must hold valid Canadian PR (Permanent Resident) status.
- Must have physically lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) out of the last 5 years.
- Must have filed Canadian taxes, if required, in the past five years.
- Must pass the citizenship test if aged between 18 and 54.
- Must prove language skills in English or French at CLB level 4 or higher.
- Must attend a citizenship ceremony, where applicants aged 14 and above take the oath.
Note: Minors are not required to meet the physical presence rule or pass the citizenship test.
What’s the Current Processing Time?
The estimated processing time for Canadian citizenship applications currently hovers around eight months, roughly at this point, unfortunately. Submission time varies greatly depending on the method, online or paper, and intricately on application completeness and quirky individual case specifics.
How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship
There are two ways to apply:
Online Application
- Preferred by most applicants
- Faster processing and easy tracking
- Secure document uploads
Paper Application
- Can take longer
- Requires mailing physical documents
- May involve additional follow-up
If using the paper method, and you applied before March 31 but didn’t pay the updated fee, you might be required to pay the difference of $19.75.
Summary: What You Need to Know
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| New Fee Effective Date | March 31, 2025 (midnight) |
| Right of Citizenship Fee | Increased to $119.75 for adults |
| Minor's Fees | Remain unchanged at $100 |
| Processing Time | Approx. 8 months |
| Language Requirement | CLB 4 in English or French |
| Physical Presence Requirement | 1,095 days in Canada over 5 years |
| Citizenship Test Required | Yes, for ages 18–54 |
Why This Matters for Canadian PR Holders
For Canadian PR holders who are planning to become citizens, this change means a slightly higher cost but unchanged eligibility requirements. It's now more important than ever to:
- Double-check your application date and payment amount
- Ensure all eligibility conditions are met
- Be prepared for the citizenship test
- Maintain updated records of your days in Canada
Whether you're applying soon or later, understanding these updated fees helps you plan better and avoid unnecessary delays.
How Visa Solutions 4u Can Help You Secure Canadian Citizenship
At Visa Solutions 4u, we make the journey from permanent resident to Canadian citizen easier, faster, and stress-free.
Here’s what we offer:
- Free Citizenship Eligibility Check
- Application Review Services
- Fee Guidance and Updates
- Citizenship Test Preparation
- Language Proficiency Support
Know instantly if you're eligible based on your PR history and residency days.
Avoid rejection by submitting a perfect application, online or on paper.
We help you understand all the latest fee changes and payment requirements.
We offer tools and training to help you pass the citizenship test confidently.
Improve your CLB level through our English/French coaching resources.
Planning to apply for Canadian citizenship soon?
Don’t let new fees or paperwork slow you down.
Visa Solutions 4u is your trusted partner for a smooth and successful application process.
