Canadian Citizenship Appeal & Revocation Lawyer
Whether your application was refused by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or you’ve received a notice that your citizenship may be revoked, you still have legal options. At Ayodele Law, we help clients appeal citizenship refusals and challenge revocation proceedings with skill, discretion, and a deep understanding of Canadian citizenship law.
What is a citizenship appeal or revocation?
A citizenship appeal
Occurs when your application for Canadian citizenship is denied before you ever become a citizen. These cases typically involve concerns about physical presence, language ability, knowledge testing, or alleged misrepresentation, and are most often challenged through judicial review.
A revocation of Canadian citizenship
By contrast, applies to individuals who were already granted citizenship and are now facing the loss of that status. Revocation cases are usually based on allegations of fraud, misrepresentation, or the omission of material facts during the permanent residence or citizenship process and often involve higher legal and personal risk.
Understanding whether you are dealing with a refusal or a revocation is critical, as the legal process, evidence required, and potential consequences differ significantly. Our citizenship appeal lawyers help clients across Toronto and Canada determine the correct legal strategy from the outset.
Who Can Challenge a Citizenship Decision?
You may be eligible to challenge a citizenship refusal or revocation if you:
Were denied citizenship by IRCC;
Received a Notice of Intent to Revoke your citizenship; or
Lost citizenship following an administrative decision that was unfair or made in error.
Most citizenship revocation and refusal cases are reviewed by the Federal Court of Canada, although some revocation cases may be heard administratively by the Minister of Immigration or their delegate.
| Common Reasons for Citizenship Refusal or Revocation |
|---|
| Not meeting the physical presence requirement (1,095 days in the past five years) |
| Incomplete or inaccurate information in the application |
| Failing to meet language or knowledge test requirements |
| Misrepresentation or concealment of immigration or criminal history |
| Fraudulent documents or false statements during processing |
| Loss of permanent residency or prior immigration non-compliance |
Our firm investigates the reasons behind IRCC’s decision—identifying procedural errors, unfair assessments, or humanitarian factors that can strengthen your appeal.
What Happens in a Citizenship Appeal or Revocation Process?
The process depends on the nature of the decision, but it generally includes:
Receiving a refusal notice from IRCC or a revocation notice from the Minister;
Filing a request for reconsideration or judicial review—usually within 30 days;
Preparing detailed legal submissions, affidavits, and evidence;
Attending a hearing or Federal Court proceeding, if applicable.
If successful, the court may set aside the refusal, order IRCC to reprocess your application, or cancel the revocation decision.
What are the Grounds for Citizenship Revocation in Canada?
Revocation can occur for reasons such as:
Misrepresentation or fraud in your application
Criminal activity after obtaining citizenship
Security or terrorism-related concerns
Loss of permanent resident status
Procedural non-compliance (failure to attend hearings or respond to notices)
Our Toronto-based lawyers provide strategic guidance and strong advocacy in citizenship revocation cases, helping clients navigate complex federal procedures and protect their Canadian status.
Can Canadian-Born Citizens Lose Their Citizenship?
In almost all cases, Canadian citizens by birth cannot lose their citizenship. Citizenship revocation laws primarily apply to naturalized citizens—individuals who became Canadian citizens after immigrating to Canada as permanent residents.
Canadian-born citizens retain their citizenship for life unless they voluntarily renounce it. If you are unsure whether your citizenship status is by birth or naturalization, it is important to clarify this early, as it directly affects whether revocation proceedings can legally apply to you.
How Long Do Citizenship Appeals and Revocation Cases Take?
Citizenship appeals and revocation cases are highly time-sensitive. In most situations, you must respond or file for judicial review within 30 days of receiving a refusal or revocation notice from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Federal Court judicial reviews can take several months to over a year, depending on complexity, evidence, and court scheduling. Revocation cases involving court proceedings and ministerial decisions may take longer. Acting early allows your lawyer to preserve deadlines, gather evidence, and avoid irreversible consequences.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Citizenship Appeal or Revocation?
Citizenship appeals and revocation cases involve Federal Court procedures, strict deadlines, sworn evidence, and complex legal standards. Even small procedural errors can permanently affect your ability to obtain or keep Canadian citizenship.
While legal representation is not mandatory, many applicants seek the guidance of an experienced citizenship lawyer to ensure their case is presented clearly, accurately, and strategically—especially when facing allegations of misrepresentation or fraud.
How Ayodele Law Can Help
At Ayodele Law, we understand how personal and high-stakes citizenship cases can be. Our services include:
- Reviewing IRCC or Ministerial decisions in detail
- Preparing persuasive submissions and evidence to challenge the findings
- Representing clients before the Minister, Citizenship Commission, or Federal Court
- Ensuring procedural fairness and advocating for your rights
We bring compassion, precision, and professionalism to every file — helping you retain or obtain your Canadian citizenship when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Facing a refused citizenship application or a notice of intent to revoke Canadian citizenship can be stressful and time-sensitive. The FAQs below address common questions about appeals, revocation proceedings, and what to expect when dealing with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Federal Court. Every case is different, and early legal advice can make a critical difference.
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Yes. If your citizenship application was refused, you may be able to apply for judicial review at the Federal Court of Canada. Most applicants must file within 30 days of receiving the refusal decision from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. A judicial review examines whether the decision was reasonable, procedurally fair, and made according to law.
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A refusal means your citizenship application was denied before you became a citizen.
Revocation applies to people who were already granted citizenship and are now facing the loss of that status—usually due to alleged misrepresentation, fraud, or security-related concerns. The legal process, risks, and remedies are different in each case. -
Yes, but only in limited circumstances set out in the Citizenship Act, and typically only for naturalized citizens. Revocation most often involves allegations that citizenship was obtained through misrepresentation, omission of material facts, or fraud. Canadian-born citizens cannot have their citizenship revoked, except in cases of voluntary renunciation.
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Common grounds include:
Misrepresentation or fraud in the citizenship or permanent residence application
Concealing criminal history or immigration violations
Providing false residence or physical-presence information
National security concerns or serious criminal conduct
Errors in the original grant of citizenship
Each case turns on evidence, intent, and procedural fairness.
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This is a serious legal document and strict deadlines apply—often 30 days. You may have the right to:
Respond in writing
Request that the matter be referred to Federal Court
Challenge the evidence relied on by the government
Getting legal advice early can significantly affect the outcome.
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In most cases, yes. You generally remain in Canada while the process is ongoing unless separate removal proceedings are started. However, your underlying immigration status (such as permanent residence) becomes critically important and must be protected alongside the citizenship case.
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If a citizenship refusal challenge succeeds, the decision is usually sent back to IRCC for reconsideration.
If a revocation challenge succeeds, your Canadian citizenship is maintained or restored.
If unsuccessful, you may revert to permanent resident status—or, in some cases, face further immigration consequences.
From Our ClientsTracy and the team were professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate throughout my entire legal process. Their expertise and guidance helped me achieve a successful outcome, and I couldn't be more grateful. Her communication skills are top-notch, and she always kept me informed about the progress of my case. I'd give her 100 stars if I could
Contact us
In person or virtual consultations available. Your case is important to us. We will get back to you within 24 hours of your submission.
Office Hours: Monday - Friday | 10am - 5pm
Telephone: 647-937-4330
Fax: 416-486-7747
Email: admin@ayodelelaw.ca