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Canadian Citizenship Application
Canadian Citizenship Application
Becoming a Canadian citizen is more than completing a form. Your permanent resident status, physical presence, taxes, language evidence, citizenship test requirements and any possible prohibitions should be reviewed carefully before the application is submitted.
Who Can Apply for Canadian Citizenship?
For a typical adult grant application, the key requirements include permanent resident status, sufficient physical presence, required tax filing, language ability where applicable, the citizenship test and no applicable citizenship prohibition.
You must be a permanent resident. An expired PR card by itself does not prevent you from applying if you still have PR status.
You generally need at least 1,095 credited days in Canada during the 5 years immediately before signing the application.
You may need to have filed Canadian income taxes for at least 3 years within the 5-year period, if you were required to file.
Applicants in this age range normally need evidence of adequate English or French, generally equivalent to CLB/NCLC 4 for speaking and listening.
Applicants in this age range normally take the citizenship test after the application is submitted.
Criminal, security and certain other situations can prevent approval or affect the timing of an application.
How Physical Presence Is Calculated
Time as a Permanent Resident
Eligible days physically present in Canada after becoming a permanent resident generally count as one full day toward the requirement.
Eligible Pre-PR Time
Eligible time in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person can generally count as one-half day, up to a maximum credit of 365 days.
Absences & Special Situations
Travel outside Canada and time affected by imprisonment, parole, probation or other special rules can change the calculation. Crown-servant rules may apply in limited situations.
What Should Be Reviewed Before Filing?
Identity & Immigration History
- Current permanent resident status
- PR landing / status dates
- Passports and travel documents covering the relevant period
- Travel history and absences from Canada
- Names, dates of birth and other personal-history information
Eligibility Evidence
- Physical-presence calculation
- Tax-filing history where required
- Accepted language evidence for applicants who need it
- Police certificates when required by the application instructions
- Any documents needed for special circumstances
Canadian Citizenship Application Process
Eligibility Review
Confirm PR status, presence, taxes, language/test requirements and any issue that could affect eligibility.
Prepare Application
Complete the correct online or paper process and prepare the required supporting documents.
IRCC Processing
IRCC reviews the file. Applicable adult applicants may be invited to complete the citizenship test and further verification.
Decision & Ceremony
If approved, applicants who are required to take the oath complete the citizenship ceremony before becoming citizens.
Current Government Application Fees
$653 CAD
Currently includes the $530 processing fee and $123 right of citizenship fee.
$100 CAD
Current IRCC processing fee for a minor citizenship grant application.
Government fees can change. Confirm the current IRCC fee immediately before payment and submission.
Citizenship Applications for Children
Minor applications do not all follow the same eligibility route. IRCC distinguishes between minors who have a Canadian parent or a parent applying for citizenship at the same time, and minors who do not. Physical-presence requirements can differ depending on the minor's application category.
How Sia Immigration Can Help
Ready to Review Your Citizenship Application?
A citizenship application should be filed only after the eligibility period, documents and potential issues have been checked carefully.
Book an Appointment Use Citizenship Calculator
