Canada Allows Fee-Free Citizenship Applications for Hardship Cases

Canada's immigration authority has released new guidelines that enable specific individuals to apply for Canadian citizenship without paying the standard fees, under a waiver for citizenship requirements based on "compassionate grounds." This waiver is applicable when an applicant's personal situation meets defined criteria, particularly concerning hardships. Adult applicants, aged 18 and above, can request waivers for the citizenship test, language requirement, or the oath of citizenship.

Valid grounds for these waivers include severe health conditions lasting at least one year, disabilities, mental impairments, or trauma from war or refugee experiences. Additionally, individuals with low literacy levels in their first language may qualify.

The oath of citizenship can also be waived for adults who cannot understand its meaning due to mental disabilities. Applicants are permitted to seek multiple waivers simultaneously, but each application is assessed individually, and approvals are not guaranteed.