Renouncing Canadian citizenship is a legal process for voluntarily giving up one’s citizenship status. This might be done for various reasons, such as acquiring citizenship in a country that does not allow dual citizenship, or for personal, political, or tax-related reasons. The process is regulated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and requires applicants to meet specific eligibility criteria.
To renounce Canadian citizenship, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen.
- Be at least 18 years old (or have the application submitted by a parent/legal guardian for minors).
- Have citizenship or will become a citizen of another country once you renounce Canadian citizenship (to avoid statelessness).
- Not live in Canada, unless you have permanent resident status or a visa that allows continued stay.
- Not be a threat to Canada’s security, and not be subject to a citizenship revocation process.
Steps to Renounce Citizenship:
- Download and complete the application form: Use form CIT 0302 (Application to Renounce Canadian Citizenship).
- Gather supporting documents, such as proof of another nationality (e.g., a passport), your Canadian citizenship certificate or proof of citizenship, and government-issued ID.
- Pay the processing fee, which is currently CAD $100 (subject to change).
- Submit your application to the appropriate IRCC office, either online or by mail.
If your application is approved, IRCC will issue a Certificate of Renunciation. You will officially cease to be a Canadian citizen as of the date shown on that certificate.
Note that renouncing citizenship is permanent unless you later go through the full naturalization process again. It also means losing all the rights of citizenship, including the right to vote, hold a Canadian passport, and live or work in Canada without immigration permission.
For minors or dependent adults, special considerations apply, and renunciation must be done in their best interest, with supporting evidence that it’s not being done under duress or coercion.
In summary, renouncing Canadian citizenship is possible but serious. It involves strict eligibility, formal procedures, and irreversible consequences—making it important to consult legal counsel before proceeding.