Canadian Citizenship Requirements & Application

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:
  • 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

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.

2. 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).

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Citizenship Processing Time

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.

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

Canadian Citizenship Cost

Here are the main fees charged when applying for Canadian citizenship:

Other fees (in CAD) that you may incur depending on the type of citizenship include: