With recent amendments to Canada’s Citizenship Act removing the first-generation limit, more people born abroad now qualify for Canadian citizenship by descent. A July 14 CIC News feature outlines 10 key questions prospective applicants should ask when retaining legal counsel. Top of the list: confirming that the representative is licensed by a provincial law society or the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Applicants should also inquire about fee structure, anticipated timelines and whether preliminary consultations are free or paid—important given that proof-of-citizenship applications can stretch beyond 12 months when foreign records must be translated and authenticated. The article recommends requesting an upfront assessment of success prospects, especially in complex multi-generation cases or those involving pre-1947 ancestors. Clients should clarify document-gathering responsibilities, potential disbursements for archival searches and strategies if IRCC requests additional evidence. For global-mobility managers, the piece is a timely reminder that citizenship status can influence tax planning, social-security coverage and cross-border work authorisation. Dual citizens employed abroad by Canadian multinationals may benefit from simplified entry during project deployments, provided they travel on a valid Canadian passport. Companies should update mobility policies to reflect the rule changes, particularly around dependent benefits and emergency evacuation coverage for employees who secure Canadian citizenship mid-assignment.
Source: CIC News
