Apply for Citizenship
Sing National Anthem at your Canadian citizenship ceremony
O Canada
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
Car ton bras sait porter l’épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Requirements and process
Eligibility
To apply for Canadian citizenship, most applicants must
- be a permanent resident
- have lived in Canada for at least 3 out of the last 5 years (1,095 days)
- have filed your taxes in Canada for at least 3 years during the 5 years right before the date you apply, if you need to
- pass a citizenship test
- prove your language skills in English or French
If you reside in Canada as a visitor, worker or protected person before becoming a permanent resident, your each day spent in Canada within the last 5 years counts as one half day when you calculate your physical presence. You can use a maximum of 365 days as a temporary resident or protected person toward your time spent in Canada. Therefore, in order to get the maximum 365 day credit you need to be physically present in Canada as a temporary resident for at least 730 days during your eligibility period.
Language skills
If you’re 18 to 54 years of age on the day you sign your application, you must show that you can speak and listen at a specific level in one of these languages. you need to meet the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 or higher.
You can provide copy of proof that you completed or are attending a program with your application. such as diploma, transcript or certificate; or LINC certificate; or ESL, FSL, CL; or English or French test from an authorized agency, such as IELTS, TEF etc. For more acceptable language proof, please contact us through the contact form below.
Submit your application
You can only apply online if
- as an adult 18 years of age or older
- as a minor who is under 18 years of age (certain condition applies)
You can only apply on paper if
- in your physical presence calculation, you include time spent outside Canada as a
- crown servant or,
- family member of a crown servant
- you are a representative applying on behalf of a client
The fees are the same to apply online or on paper:
- Adult (18 or older): $630
- Minor (under 18): $100
Pass a citizenship test
To become a Canadian citizen, all citizenship applicants aged 18 to 54 on the day you sign your application must successfully pass the citizenship test.
You’ll need to answer questions about the rights and responsibilities of Canadians and Canada’s:
- history
- geography
- economy
- government
- laws
- symbols
The test is:
- in English or French
- 30 minutes long
- 20 questions (pass mark: 15 correct answers)
- multiple-choice and true or false questions
- based on the official citizenship study guide
- usually written, but may be oral
The online citizenship test platform has been introduced since November 2020. Online testing allows clients to complete the test at a time convenient to them, within 21 days.
Interview and ceremony
After the test, you’ll meet with a citizenship official for an interview. During the interview, the citizenship official will:
- give you the results of your test, if you had one
- check your language skills, if you’re between 18 and 54 years of age
- verify your application and original documents
- ask any questions we may have about your application
- make sure you meet all the requirements for citizenship
If you pass and meet the other requirements for citizenship, you will attend a ceremony at which get your citizenship certificate
Canadian passport & Citizen certificate
- You must wait to get your citizenship certificate after the ceremony before you can apply for a passport.
- A valid Canadian passport proves you have the right to enter Canada.
- All Canadian children under the age of 16 need their own passport to travel. Your child’s passport will be valid for a maximum of 5 years. It’s valid until it reaches its expiry date, even after the child turns 16.
- Canadian Citizenship Certificate. Any Canadian citizen may apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate. A parent may apply on behalf of a minor (under 18 years old).
- A provincial or territorial birth certificate should be enough to prove Canadian citizenship. Some people born outside Canada to a Canadian parent became citizens at birth.
- If you apply for and receive Canadian citizenship (naturalization), you will receive a citizenship certificate at your citizenship ceremony. You do not need to apply for one.
Not sure if you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship
If you are still not sure if you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship or when you’ll be eligible, you can look up Canadian Citizenship Act, or contact us from below link or form: