{"id":2169,"date":"2026-11-11T03:59:46","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T03:59:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/citizenship-prohibition-criminal-charge-probation\/"},"modified":"2026-11-11T03:59:46","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T03:59:46","slug":"citizenship-prohibition-criminal-charge-probation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/citizenship-prohibition-criminal-charge-probation\/","title":{"rendered":"Citizenship blocked by a criminal charge, probation or a recent conviction: the prohibitions, how long they last, and what to do"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a>, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation \u00b7 Reviewed November 10, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Sundeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2018, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Updated November 10, 2026: sections 21, 22 and 22.1 of the Citizenship Act, section 34 of the Interpretation Act and IRCC’s citizenship fees (modified September 21, 2026) checked that day.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The fix:<\/strong> work out exactly when the prohibition ends, disclose everything to IRCC, and apply (or reapply) once you are clear. A refusal that got the law or the facts wrong can go to the Federal Court.<\/p>\n

The deadline:<\/strong> 30 days from a citizenship refusal to apply to the Federal Court for leave (Citizenship Act s.22.1<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Why a lawyer:<\/strong> leaving out a charge or conviction is misrepresentation, which brings its own five-year bar. And probation time usually does not count toward your days. Why a lawyer<\/a><\/p>\n

Book a consultation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The lawyers who handle these files<\/p>\n

\"SundeepSundeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PrabhpreetPrabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PardeepPardeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\nAbout our lawyers<\/summary>\n
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Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.<\/p>\n

Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/a><\/strong> focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.<\/p>\n

Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

If you are a permanent resident with a pending criminal charge, on probation or parole, or with a recent conviction, you may be prohibited from becoming a Canadian citizen for now. Section 22 of the Citizenship Act says a person “shall not be granted citizenship” or take the oath while charged with an indictable offence, while on probation or parole or in jail, or within four years after a conviction for an indictable offence. These are prohibitions, not permanent bars: most end when the charge is resolved or the time passes. The practical questions are when yours ends, and whether to wait before applying.<\/p>\n

Lawgical Law Corporation<\/a>, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, advises permanent residents with criminal history on citizenship and takes citizenship refusals to the Federal Court; this guide is by Sundeep S. Grewal.<\/p>\n

When are you prohibited?<\/h2>\n