Citizenship Application

Eligibility Requirements and Documents Checklist for Canadian Citizenship

To apply for Canadian citizenship, most applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a permanent resident of Canada
• Have lived in Canada for at least 3 years (1,095 days) within the last 5 years
• Have filed taxes, if required
• Successfully pass a citizenship test
• Demonstrate proficiency in either English or French
• Take the citizenship oath

Additional or different requirements apply if you fall into any of the following categories:

• Applying for a minor (under age 18)
• A Canadian citizen applying for an adopted child born outside Canada
• A current or former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member applying through the fast-track process
• A former Canadian citizen wishing to regain Canadian citizenship (including former CAF members)
• Spouses of Canadian citizens

 Spouses of Canadian Citizens
Marriage to a Canadian citizen does not automatically grant citizenship. As the spouse of a Canadian citizen, you must meet the same eligibility requirements listed above.

Children and Grandchildren of Canadian Citizens
If you have a Canadian parent or grandparent, you may already be a Canadian citizen. To confirm, you can apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate.

Permanent Resident Status
Regardless of your age, you must hold permanent resident (PR) status in Canada to apply for citizenship.

You cannot apply if:

• You are under review for immigration or fraud reasons
• You have been ordered to leave Canada (removal order)
• You have unmet conditions related to your PR status (e.g., pending medical screening)

Before applying, review the documents you received when you obtained permanent resident status to ensure you’re eligible. Note that you do not need a valid PR card to apply for citizenship. You can submit an application with an expired PR card.

 Time Lived in Canada (Physical Presence)

You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) in the 5 years before signing your application.

• It’s recommended to apply with more than 1,095 days to account for any discrepancies in your calculation.
• You may also be able to count:
• Time spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person
• Time spent outside Canada if you were a Crown servant or a family member of one

 Filing Income Tax
You may be required to file taxes in Canada for at least 3 years within the 5 years leading up to your citizenship application.

Language Skills

If you are between the ages of 18 and 54 on the day you sign your application, you must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of either English or French. This means you should be able to:

• Engage in basic conversations on everyday topics
• Understand simple instructions, questions, and directions
• Use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses
• Have enough vocabulary to answer questions and express yourself clearly

You’re speaking and listening abilities must meet level 4 of the:

• Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English, or
• Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French

Answer these questions to see if you have the appropriate proof:

Did you attend a secondary or post-secondary program in English or French?
The program can have been completed in Canada or abroad.

• If you did attend such a program, include proof that you completed or are currently attending the program with your application. Acceptable proof can include:
• Your diploma
• Transcript
• Certificate

Your proof must be in either English or French. If it’s in another language, you must also provide a certified translation into English or French, which should confirm that the language of instruction was either English or French.

Pass the Citizenship Test
If you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you must take the citizenship test. The test will include questions about:

• The rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens
• Canada’s history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols
• We will invite you to take the test after you submit your application.

Who Needs to Take the Test and Attend the Interview?

Take the Oath of Citizenship
You must take the oath of citizenship if:

• You are at least 14 years old when you sign your application, and
• Your application is approved

Receive Your Citizenship Ceremony Date
You will receive an invitation to the citizenship ceremony by email or mail, usually 1 to 2 weeks before the event.

• The invitation will include:
• The time and date of the ceremony
• A video conference link (for a virtual oath ceremony)
• The location (for an in-person ceremony) 

Prohibitions
If you have committed a crime, either in Canada or abroad, you may not be eligible to become a Canadian citizen for a certain period.

Additionally, time spent serving a prison sentence, on parole, or on probation does not count toward the time you’ve lived in Canada.

Situations That May Prevent Citizenship
If you’re uncertain whether any situations apply to you, consult your lawyer or the arresting police officer. Wait until the situation is resolved before applying for citizenship.

We will assess your application on a case-by-case basis.