Most adults become Canadian citizens through a grant of citizenship: you generally need to be a permanent resident, have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the 5 years before you apply, have filed income taxes for at least 3 of those 5 years (if required to), show adequate English or French and pass the citizenship test (if you are 18 to 54), and take the Oath of Citizenship. Citizenship gives you the right to vote, to hold a Canadian passport, and to access Charter rights without immigration conditions. This guide explains each requirement with concrete examples, walks through the application step by step, and covers dual citizenship and the Bill C-3 changes to citizenship by descent that came into effect on December 15, 2025. IRCC makes all decisions; this is educational, not legal advice, so always confirm current fees, rules, and processing times on canada.ca.
Track Your Physical Presence
Our Physical Presence Calculator counts your days in Canada automatically, including partial credit for time as a temporary resident before PR.
Calculate your days, it's freeEligibility Requirements
Under the Citizenship Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-29), you must meet all of the following requirements to apply for Canadian citizenship:
1. Permanent Resident Status
You must be a permanent resident of Canada. Your PR status must not be in question, no active removal orders, no unfulfilled residency obligations, and no revocation proceedings.
2. Physical Presence (1,095 Days)
You must generally have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) during the 5 years immediately before the day you apply. What this means for you: only days you were actually in Canada count, so plan around long trips abroad. Key rules:
- Each day as a PR counts as 1 full day
- Each day as a temporary resident or protected person BEFORE becoming PR counts as half a day (0.5), up to a maximum credit of 365 days
- Days spent serving a criminal sentence in Canada do NOT count
- Days outside Canada do NOT count (with limited Crown servant exceptions)
3. Income Tax Filing
You must have filed Canadian income tax returns for at least 3 of the 5 tax years that are fully or partially within the 5 years before your application. CRA tax filing history is verified directly by IRCC.
4. Language Ability (Ages 18–54)
Applicants aged 18 to 54 must show adequate knowledge of English or French, generally at CLB/NCLC level 4 or higher in speaking and listening. You do not need to be bilingual: meeting the level in one official language is enough. Acceptable proof can include results from approved language tests (such as IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada), proof of completing certain secondary or post-secondary education in English or French, or proof from certain government-funded language programs. Applicants 55 and older are exempt. Confirm the current list of accepted evidence on canada.ca.
5. Citizenship Test (Ages 18–54)
If you are 18 to 54, you must pass a citizenship knowledge test covering Canadian history, values, institutions, symbols, rights, and responsibilities, plus voting and government. It has 20 questions and the pass mark is 15 out of 20 (75%). The only official study material is the guide Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, which is free on canada.ca. Applicants under 18 or 55 and older do not take the test.
6. No Prohibitions
You cannot become a citizen if you are serving a conditional sentence, are in prison, are charged with or have been convicted of an indictable offence or a Citizenship Act offence, are under a removal order, are the subject of a CSIS investigation, or have had citizenship revoked in the past 10 years.
The Citizenship Test: Format & What to Expect
Most applicants aged 18 to 54 are invited to take the citizenship test online. Here is how it generally works:
- Most applicants take the online test, which you can do from anywhere (you do not need to be in Canada)
- 20 questions with a 45-minute time limit; the timer cannot be paused and submits automatically when it runs out
- Passing score: 15 out of 20 (75%)
- You generally get up to 3 chances to pass; if you do not pass, you may be referred to a hearing with a citizenship official
- Multiple choice and true/false questions
- Content is based only on the Discover Canada study guide (free on canada.ca)
- Available in English or French
- After the online test, an officer reviews your result to make it official, which can take days to weeks
Study tip: Focus on Chapter 7 (Rights and Responsibilities), Chapter 8 (Canadian History), and Chapter 10 (Government and Institutions) of Discover Canada. These topics make up the majority of test questions.
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View Deep Dives → From $49.99Bill C-3: Citizenship by Descent Changes (in effect Dec 15, 2025)
Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025), came into effect on December 15, 2025. It replaced the old first-generation limit with a "substantial connection" test, so a Canadian parent who was themselves born or adopted abroad can now pass citizenship to their own child born or adopted abroad. Key points:
- For a child born or adopted abroad on or after December 15, 2025, a Canadian parent who was born or adopted abroad can pass on citizenship if the parent has a substantial connection to Canada
- A substantial connection means the parent has at least 1,095 days of cumulative physical presence in Canada at any time before the child's birth or adoption (it does not have to be in one stretch)
- A child born abroad to a Canadian parent who was born in Canada is generally a citizen automatically, with no day-count needed for the parent
- Many people born before December 15, 2025, who were previously excluded by the first-generation limit (including certain "Lost Canadians") are now citizens and can apply to IRCC for proof of citizenship
Step-by-Step Application Process
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Verify you meet all requirements: PR status, 1,095 days physical presence, 3 years of tax filing, language ability (CLB 4+), and no prohibitions. Use our physical presence calculator to check your days.
- 2
Gather documents
Collect: copies of PR card (both sides), 2 citizenship photos, language test results (if 18–54), travel history for the past 5 years, tax assessment notices (3 years). Use CIT 0002 or CIT 0001 application forms.
- 3
Submit application online
Apply through the IRCC online portal. The adult grant fee is currently $653 CAD ($530 processing + $123 right-of-citizenship fee); a minor under 18 is $100. After you submit and pay, you receive an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) with your application number. Confirm the current fee on canada.ca before you pay.
- 4
Wait for processing
IRCC reviews your application, verifies tax filing with the CRA, checks your background, and confirms your physical presence. Processing times vary and change over time, so check the current estimate on canada.ca rather than relying on a fixed figure.
- 5
Take the citizenship test
If aged 18–54, you'll be invited to take the online citizenship test (20 questions, 45 minutes, 15/20 to pass). Up to 3 attempts. If you fail all 3, you'll be scheduled for a hearing with a citizenship officer.
- 6
Attend the citizenship ceremony
Take the Oath of Citizenship at an in-person or virtual ceremony. You'll receive your citizenship certificate on the same day. You are officially a Canadian citizen the moment you take the oath.
Dual Citizenship Rules
Canada fully allows dual (or multiple) citizenship. When you become a Canadian citizen, you are not required to renounce your existing citizenship. Key points:
- You can hold Canadian citizenship alongside any number of other citizenships
- Canada does not notify your other country of citizenship when you become Canadian
- Some countries (e.g., China, India, Japan) do not allow dual citizenship, check your home country's rules
- When in Canada, you are treated as a Canadian citizen regardless of other nationalities
- You must enter and leave Canada using your Canadian passport (or Canadian travel document)
- US citizens can hold both US and Canadian citizenship without restriction from either country
Processing Times & Fees
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Adult grant fee ($530 processing + $123 right-of-citizenship) | $653 CAD |
| Minor (under 18) grant fee | $100 CAD |
| Citizenship test | Included in application (no separate fee) |
| Replacement citizenship certificate | $75 CAD |
| Processing times | Vary; check canada.ca for current estimates |
Check real-time processing times on our processing times dashboard. Calculate all fees with our fee calculator.
Children and Minors
Minors (under 18) can apply for citizenship either with a parent or on their own if they are a PR. Key differences:
- No citizenship test required for minors under 18
- No language requirement for minors under 18
- Physical presence requirement still applies (1,095 days in 5 years)
- A Canadian citizen parent can apply on behalf of a minor child who is a PR
- Grant fee: $100 CAD (vs. $653 for adults)
- Minor applicants do not take the Oath of Citizenship (it is taken on their behalf by the parent)
- Children born in Canada are automatically Canadian citizens (jus soli), no application needed
Planning your citizenship timeline?
Our Physical Presence Calculator tracks your days automatically and tells you exactly when you're eligible to apply.
Calculate Your DaysFrequently Asked Questions
How long do I need to live in Canada before I can apply for citizenship?
You need 1,095 days (3 years) of physical presence in Canada within the 5 years before your application date. Days as a temporary resident before PR count at half value (up to 365 days credit). Use our physical presence calculator to check your eligibility date.
Do I need to give up my other citizenship to become Canadian?
No. Canada allows dual and multiple citizenship. You do not need to renounce any existing citizenship. However, check whether your home country allows dual citizenship, some countries (China, India, Japan) do not.
What happens if I fail the citizenship test?
You get up to 3 attempts to pass the test (15/20 = 75%). If you fail all 3 attempts, you'll be referred to a hearing with a citizenship officer who will assess your knowledge through an interview. The officer may approve or deny your citizenship based on the hearing.
Can I apply for citizenship if I have a criminal record?
It depends. Active criminal sentences (prison, conditional sentence, probation) are a prohibition. Completed sentences are not an automatic bar, but IRCC considers criminal history in the application review. Serious or recent convictions may result in a denial or delay.
How much does Canadian citizenship cost?
The grant fee is currently $653 CAD for adults (18+), made up of a $530 processing fee plus a $123 right-of-citizenship fee, and $100 CAD for minors (under 18). There is no separate fee for the citizenship test or the ceremony. If you need a language test, you pay that fee separately to the test provider. Fees change, so confirm the current amount on canada.ca before you pay.
Can I travel while my citizenship application is processing?
Yes, but keep careful records. You must maintain your physical presence in Canada. Extended absences during processing can delay your application. If you change address or travel extensively, update IRCC through your online account.
Do I need to speak both English and French?
No. You need adequate knowledge of either English OR French, generally at CLB/NCLC 4 or higher in speaking and listening. You do not need to be bilingual. Applicants aged 55 and older and children under 18 are exempt from the language requirement entirely.
Does time in Canada before I became a permanent resident count toward the 1,095 days?
Yes, partially. Each day you were physically in Canada as a temporary resident (for example on a work or study permit) or as a protected person before you became a PR counts as a half day, up to a maximum credit of 365 days. Days as a PR count as full days. Our physical presence calculator applies the half-day rule and the 365-day cap for you.
How soon after becoming a permanent resident can I apply for citizenship?
You can apply once you have accumulated at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada within the 5 years before you apply. With the maximum 365-day pre-PR credit, some people reach 1,095 days roughly two years after landing as a PR; with no pre-PR time it generally takes about three years as a PR. Your exact eligibility date depends on your travel history, so calculate your own days rather than assuming a fixed timeline.
My child was born outside Canada. Are they a Canadian citizen?
It depends on your own status. If you were born in Canada, a child you have abroad is generally a Canadian citizen automatically. If you yourself were born or adopted abroad, then under Bill C-3 (in effect December 15, 2025) you can pass citizenship to a child born or adopted abroad on or after that date only if you have a substantial connection to Canada, meaning at least 1,095 days of cumulative physical presence in Canada before the birth or adoption. Many people previously excluded by the old first-generation limit are now citizens and can apply for proof. Confirm your situation on canada.ca.
Can I lose my permanent resident status if I spend too long outside Canada before applying?
Possibly. PRs must generally meet a separate residency obligation of 730 days in Canada within every rolling 5-year period to keep PR status, which is different from the 1,095-day citizenship rule. Long absences can put both your PR status and your citizenship eligibility at risk. Track your days carefully and verify the residency obligation rules on canada.ca.
Important: Based on publicly available Citizenship Act, IRPA, and IRCC policy. Not legal advice. For complex cases, consult an immigration lawyer licensed by your provincial law society.
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This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.