OTTAWA (Web Desk) – Canada has introduced reforms in its citizenship rules and criteria, forcing people to reconsider their plans for immigration to the North American country.
The changes made to the Citizenship Act have been put in place starting June 11, Emirates 24/7 News reported. The reforms aim at attracting genuine applicants and discouraging ‘citizens of convenience’, or those applicants who become Canadian citizens for the sake of the passport.
According to the new rules, adult applicants have to be physically present in Canada for at least 1,460 days (four years) during the six years before submitting citizenship application. Also, the applicant must be physically present in the country for at least 183 days in each of four years.
Moreover, the adult applicant must commit to reside in Canada after they have attained the citizenship and meet the tax obligations. Upon failure to fulfill the rules, the applicant will be fined $100,000 (Canadian) or a 5-year prison term.
