canadian citizenship

Canadian Citizenship Requirements

For you to be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship, you must meet the following minimum 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:
    • Youโ€™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 youโ€™re:

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

How To Apply For Permanent Residence

  1. Check eligibility

Using the requirements given by the IRCC, check whether you meet the minimum requirements to become a Canadian citizen.

  1. 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).

  1. Canadian citizenship application package

Download the citizenship package that you require and fill it out. The packages include:

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 If you use the outdated application document, the IRCC will return it to you and request you to fill the right document.

  1. 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.

  1. Take the citizenship test

If your application is accepted, youโ€™ll be invited to take the citizenship test on Canadaโ€™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, youโ€™ll receive an invitation to your citizenship ceremony.

Citizenship Processing Time

Depending on the type of citizenship youโ€™re applying for, it may take up to 12 months to process your application. To know how long it will take, Check Processing Time.

Canadian Citizenship Checklist

  • Before you apply, check whether youโ€™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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

A minor can get a Canadian citizenship in either of the two ways. They may apply at the same time with their parents, or after at least one parent has become a Canadian citizen. Or they can apply separately, regardless of their parentโ€™s intention to obtain citizenship.
There are some eligibility requirements that your child must meet before they apply for Canadian citizenship:

  • 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.

No, you have to physically remain in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the five years before you apply for citizenship

There are many factors to consider. To be sure about your specific situation, check out the โ€œAm I a Canadian?โ€ tool or itsย alternative.

Canadian citizenship status has a few advantages, namely access to restricted jobs, the right to vote and run for a political office, and the ability to use the Canadian passport for travel.

As a Canadian citizen, you can stay in the US for up to 6 months every 12 months. After that, you will require a visa.

Once citizenship has been granted, you will have all of the same rights as any citizen of the country. You will have the right to live and work in at any time. With this passport, Canadian citizens have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 171 countries and territories, including Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Unites States and many more.

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.

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