I was under the impression that applicants between 18-54 have to take the citizenship test. This USA applicant is 65 (English is first language) and received a letter to appear for test at the end of January.
Is this an error?
It is probably an oversight, the tendency of IRCC to include boilerplate instructions in the notice to appear for the Interview which is scheduled at the same time as a testing session.
Whether the language and knowledge requirement applies is indeed based on the individual's age AT THE TIME THE APPLICATION IS MADE. But I am willing to go out on a limb here and assume this individual applied
within the last ten years and thus was at least 55 years old when the application was made.
I am guessing that @screech339 and @scylla (@
alphazip and @SpiceIsland got it right) are overlooking Section 18 (one of the "Transitional" provisions) in Bill C-6 which in effect provides that the language and knowledge of Canada requirements do not apply to persons who were, at the time they applied, 55 or older, even if they applied under the law prior to Bill C-6 taking effect.
See
http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/C-6/royal-assent
In particular, under the subheading "
Knowledge of Canada and official language — pending applications" Section 18 in Bill C-6 states:
18 Paragraphs 5(1)(d) and (e) of the Citizenship Act, as enacted by subsection 1(6), apply to a person whose application for citizenship was made on or after June 11, 2015 but before the day on which that subsection comes into force and has not been finally disposed of before the day on which that subsection comes into force.
In other words, this provision means that everyone who was 55 or older at the time they applied is test-exempt. This took effect as of October 11, 2017 . . . meaning this did not revive the application for any applicant denied citizenship prior to October 11, 2017 on the grounds of failing to pass the knowledge of Canada test. But for applications still in process, as of October 11, 2017 all applicants 55 or older at the time of applying became test-exempt. Those who applied prior to June 11, 2015 because their application was, in respect to this requirement, governed by the law and rules in effect prior to Bill C-24. Those who applied on or after October 11, 2017 because the law providing the 55+ exemption took effect that day. And those who applied between June 11, 2015 and October 11, 2017 because of Section 18 in Bill C-6 which specifically applies the Bill C-6 version to such applications still pending.
The USA applicant may have received a generic test notification that didn't differentiate between those required to take the test and those not required to do so.
That is precisely what happened to me . . . and I was well above the age for which the knowledge of Canada test was required
when I applied. I barely shrugged when I saw the notice. I did ask to confirm, however, when someone from CIC (this was before it became IRCC) telephoned me prior to the Interview. But I had no concerns about passing the test if for some reason I did have to take it . . . my wife has long made sure I am deeply engaged in knowledge of Canada, and I am a curious, interested sort anyway . . . so I was OK if they did indeed make me take the test when I showed up. But I asked since they were on the telephone anyway; they telephoned me purportedly to check that I had received notice of the interview date (which was very short notice), but the call seemed to be as much about verifying that my telephone number was my number. In any event, my notice included a notice to appear to take the knowledge of Canada test. I was exempt. I did not take the test (feeling a bit left out since it was obvious I was the only exempt one there that day).
