Renouncing Canadian Citizenship – Would Status Revert To PR?

[Ramanpreet]

My cousin became a Canadian citizen in 2005. Before coming to Canada, he was born and living in India. He has now decided to move back to India on a permanent basis and he would like to renounce his Canadian citizenship. My cousin wanted to know what would happen to his status after his renounces his Canadian citizenship? Would his status revert to PR?

[Rajpal (Admin)]

According to section 9(1) IRPA, a Canadian citizen may renounce his/her citizenship if they meet the following requirements:

– be a Canadian citizen;

– prove that you are or that you will become a citizen of a country other than Canada if your application to renounce is approved;

– not live in Canada;

– be at least 18 years old;

– not be a threat to Canada’s security or part of a pattern of criminal activity; and

– understand the significance of renouncing your Canadian citizenship.

If IRCC is already in the process of revoking your Canadian citizenship under section 10 or 10.1 IRPA, then you cannot voluntarily renounce your citizenship.

As with your cousin, after he renounces his citizenship, he will lose all the rights and privileges of being a Canadian citizen and he will have no status in Canada. If in the future he decides that he wants to come back to Canada permanently, he would have to apply for a permanent resident visa all over again.