Situations that may prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen

You cannot become a citizen if you’re prohibited under the Citizenship Act. For example, if

  • you’re in Canada
    • serving a term of imprisonment
    • on parole
    • on probation
  • you’re serving a sentence outside Canada
  • you’re charged with, on trial for, or involved in an appeal for an offence
    • under the Citizenship Act, or an indictable offence in Canada
    • committed outside Canada that’s equivalent to an indictable offence in Canada
  • you’re under a removal order (Canadian officials asked you to leave Canada)
  • you’re being investigated for, are charged with, on trial for, involved in an appeal for or have been convicted of
    • a war crime, or
    • a crime against humanity
  • you had a citizenship application refused for misrepresentation in the past 5 years
  • you had your Canadian citizenship revoked (taken away) because of fraud in the past 10 years
  • you’ve been convicted of an indictable offence in Canada or an offence under the Citizenship Act, and
    • if we received your application after June 11, 2015, and this conviction took place in the 4 years before you apply
  • in the 4 years before you apply, you were convicted of an offence outside Canada that’s equivalent to an indictable offence in Canada. This applies
    • even if you were pardoned or granted amnesty
    • regardless of when we receive your application
  • while a permanent resident, you
    • were convicted of terrorism, high treason, treason or spying offences
    • served as a member of an armed force of a country or territory, or an organized armed group, that’s engaged in armed conflict with Canada

If you’re not sure whether the above situations apply to you, contact your lawyer or arresting police officer.

If any of the above situations apply to you

  • wait until the situation no longer applies before you apply for citizenship
    • Exception: You can never resume your citizenship if it was revoked due to fraud in the past 10 years.
  • tell us about the situation in your application
  • we’ll review your application on a case-by-case basis

If these situations apply to you while we’re still processing your application, you must contact us as soon as possible.

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