Canadian Citizenship Requirements & Application
Canadian Citizenship Application Requirements
For you to be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship, you must meet the following minimum Canadian Citizenship application requirements:
- Be a permanent resident
- Proof that you can communicate in English or French (unless you’re 55yrs and above, or a minor below 18yrs)
- Pass a test on your knowledge and understanding of the Canadian history and the responsibilities and rights of being a citizen, in English or French
- Have filed your taxes for a minimum of 3 taxation years in the past 5years (if necessitated by the Income Tax Act) before your application
- Have physically stayed in Canada as a permanent resident for a minimum of 3 years (1,095 days) in the last 5 years prior to your application. Time spent outside Canada can also be counted if:
- You’re a PR who was working for or with the Canadian Armed Forces, public service, or the state public administration
- You spent time outside Canada with your Canadian common-law partner or spouse, or PR spouse, common-law partner, or parent who was working for or with the public service, federal administration or Canadian Armed Forces
Note that there may be more or varying requirements when you’re:
- A Canadian citizen applying for an adopted child born out of Canada
- Applying when you are under 18 (minor)
- A former Canadian citizen looking to regain your citizenship
- Applying under the fast track process as a former or current Canadian Armed Forces
- A child or grandchild of a Canadian citizen
Questions About Canadian Citizenship Requirements?
Citizenship Processing Time
How Long Does It Take To Get Canadian Citizenship After Applying?
Depending on the type of citizenship you’re applying for, it may take up to 12 months to process your application. To know how long it will take, Check Processing Time.
How To Apply For Canadian Citizenship
Check eligibility
Using the requirements given by the IRCC, check whether you meet the minimum requirements to become a Canadian citizen.
Get the necessary documents ready
The IRCC has provided a PDF checklist document that helps you prepare all the necessary documents required for the Canadian citizenship application. This document enables you to prepare and to provide all the required documents to avoid delays (if you don’t provide all the documents, the form is sent back to you).
Canadian citizenship application package
Download the citizenship package that you require and fill it out. The packages include:
- Adult package (18 years and above)
- A minor package (under 18yrs of age) – applied by the parent/guardian
- Minor (under 18yrs) without Canadian parent applying on their own
- A package for adults (18yrs and above) who served in the Canadian Armed Forces
- Adoption by a Canadian citizen
- A person without a state born to a Canadian parent
Make sure you download the latest application document. If you use the outdated application document, the IRCC will return it to you and request you to fill the right document.
Submit your application
After you complete the application form and pay the application fees, send it together with all the required documents by mail or courier.
Take the citizenship test
If your application is accepted, you’ll be invited to take the citizenship test on Canada’s history and the responsibilities and privileges of being a citizen a few weeks after receiving the AOR (acknowledgment of receipt). This does not apply to minors (under 18 years) and persons of 55yrs and above.
If you pass the test and meet all the citizenship requirements, you’ll receive an invitation to your citizenship ceremony.
Get Help With Your Canadian Citizenship Application
Canadian Citizenship Cost
Here are the main fees charged when applying for Canadian citizenship:
| Citizenship | Right of citizenship fee | Processing fee (CAD) |
| Adult citizenship | 530 | 100 |
| Stateless adult born of Canadian parent | 100 | |
| Minors (including adopted ones) | 100 |
Other fees (in CAD) that you may incur depending on the type of citizenship include:
| Search of citizenship record | 75 |
| Resume of citizenship (Adult) | 530 |
| Resume of citizenship (Minor) | 100 |
You might not be eligible if any of the following applies:
- You have a criminal record in or outside Canada
- You have been issued a removal order, i.e., ordered to leave Canada
- Your Canadian citizenship has been annulled
- You have not fulfilled all the conditions of your PR status
- You have been denied Canadian citizenship due to misrepresentation
- You have ongoing criminal investigations within or outside Canada
Canadian Citizenship Checklist
- Before you apply, check whether you’re eligible
- Ensure that you pay the right amount of fee (Check fees on IRCC website)
- Ensure that you submit all the required documents, including the checklist form
Start The Canadian Citizenship Process With Us
This message is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration case manager with whom you work at Jane Katkova and Associates or send an email to support@katkova.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The child must be under the age of 18;
- The child must not have any problems with the law (this includes parole, probation, imprisonment, investigation, removal order, misrepresentation, terrorism, treason etc.)
Yes, post-secondary education obtained from a Canadian institution can exempt you from taking a language test.
How We Can Help
Since 1995, we, at a Jane Katkova & Associates – Canadian Immigration, Global Mobility Experts, have been offering immigration services to people looking to move into Canada for work or otherwise. Throughout these years, we have gained experience that we use to help our clients navigate the complex immigration system smoothly with a better chance of successful application.
If you’re looking to be granted Canadian citizenship, we can help you fill out the necessary documents, pay the required fees, and prepare for your citizenship test, among other services. Let us help you attain your dreams.
Contact us today, and we’ll be glad to offer you any information and assistance that you require.
Jane Katkova – Brown
