IMM-1053-09
2010 FC 25
January 8, 2010
Principle Established: Knowledge test for citizenship application waived because of unusual hardships.
The applicant is a 50 year old woman whose mother tongue is not English. She failed the Citizenship test and requested to appear before a citizenship Judge so that the Citizenship knowledge test could be waived based on compassionate grounds and unusual hardships.
At the hearing, the applicant provided proof that she suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes and that she was at risk of going blind and had poor eyesight. She also explained that she was unable to see the questions of the citizenship knowledge test because the front was too small.
The Judge was of opinion that the applicant’s medical condition was serious and that her vision problems would impede her preparation for the citizenship test.
The appeal was allowed.