What are my options if I am refused citizenship?

If their citizenship application has been rejected by the Federal Court of Canada, applicants can reapply for citizenship or request a judicial appeal. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

In 2023, You can find out more about this by clicking here. “354,000 people became Canadian citizens in more than 3,000 citizenship ceremonies [conducted] across the country.”According to IRCC data.

Although this number represents a small downturn from 2022 – a year in which slightly more than 375,000 foreign nationals became Canadian citizens – the number of people transitioning to Canadian citizenship has notably surged over the last four years.

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In fact, this number was only 254,513 in 2019, meaning that in 2023, the number of new Canadians will be approximately 39% higher than it was four years earlier.

More: Click here to learn moreFor more information on the number of new Canadians citizens in 2023. This includes what IRCC does to reduce its backlog in citizenship applications, and additional information about the pathways from permanent residency to citizenship in Canada.

IRCC may still refuse citizenship applications despite a growing number of foreigners converting to Canadian citizenship. If this occurs, applicants have two choices:

Option 1: Reapplying to Canadian citizenship

Rejection of a Canadian Citizenship application by IRCC will not prevent applicants from reapplying if they so choose. The federal government does not impose a waiting period, so applicants can reapply immediately for Canadian citizenship.

IRCC clarifies new citizenship applications require payment of a new fee along with the application. “all required forms and documents.” In addition, Canada’s immigration department cautions applicants to “make sure [they] meet the requirements for Canadian citizenship before [they] reapply.”

Visit our website to learn more about This is a dedicated webpageFor more information about applying for Canadian citizenship. This includes everything from eligibility requirements to rights and responsibilities for Canadian citizens.

Option 2: Request a Judicial Review

The Federal Court of Canada is the other option for applicants. Rejected citizenship applicants have 30 day “from the date [indicated] on the refusal letter to apply”For a judicial review.

Note:IRCC clarifies that pursuing a judicial check is not the only option. “is not an appeal of the decision.”

A judicial review is a two-step procedure that begins with a leave application.

IRCC Notes that “leave”In this context,’means’ “permission”To have a case heard by the Court in an oral hearing.

According to IRCC if you want to succeed in the first stage, “the applicant must satisfy the Court that the application [for their judicial review] raises”You can also find out more about us by clicking here. “a serious issue [or] an arguable issue upon which the application might succeed.”

Generally, at this point, one of two things happens. Either the Federal Court will deny your application for leave or the judge may grant it. “leave to commence an application for judicial review.”

IRCC will dismiss the application in the first scenario. The application thus becomes dismissed. “proceeds no further because there is no right to appeal the Court’s leave decision.”

On the other hand when leave is granted to you by a Federal Court of Justice, “the Court [then sets] a hearing date [as well as certain relevant] timeframes”Regarding the case. For example, the Court may set dates for the parties to file their respective arguments or conduct cross-examinations.

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