Canadian citizenship is available to most permanent residents who meet Canada’s physical presence, tax, language, knowledge and legal requirements.
The regular grant process applies to adults and certain minor children, but the exact requirements depend on the applicant’s age and situation.
Applicants should use the current Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requirements before submitting a citizenship application. An incomplete application, incorrect physical presence calculation or missing document can delay processing or cause the application to be returned.
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Who Can Apply for Canadian Citizenship
Adults must have valid permanent resident status when they apply. They must not have a removal order or unfulfilled conditions related to their permanent resident status.
Applicants may apply with either a valid or expired permanent resident card, provided they still hold permanent resident status.
Being married to a Canadian does not automatically make someone a Canadian citizen. A spouse of a Canadian citizen generally must meet the same citizenship requirements as other applicants.
Some people may already be Canadian citizens through birth, descent or another provision of the Citizenship Act. They should apply for a citizenship certificate instead of applying for a citizenship grant. This can apply to people born outside Canada to a Canadian parent, although the rules can depend on the date and circumstances of birth.
Physical Presence for Canadian Citizenship
Most adult applicants must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days during the five-year period immediately before signing the citizenship application.
The eligibility period is calculated backward from the date the applicant signs the application. It must include at least 730 days physically present in Canada as a permanent resident.
Time spent in Canada before becoming a permanent resident may also count. Each day spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person can count as one-half day, up to a maximum credit of 365 days.
Applicants should use IRCC’s physical presence calculator and keep accurate records of travel outside Canada. IRCC encourages applicants to apply with more than 1,095 days because discrepancies in travel records can affect the final calculation.
Time spent serving a sentence, on probation or on parole generally does not count toward the physical presence requirement. In limited circumstances, time outside Canada may count, such as for certain Crown servants and eligible family members.
Tax Filing Requirements
Canadian citizenship applicants may need to have met their Canadian income tax filing obligations for at least three taxation years that are fully or partially within the five-year eligibility period.
The tax requirement applies when the applicant was required to file under Canadian tax law. Applicants must disclose whether they were required to file and whether they filed their returns.
Tax filing is separate from the physical presence calculation. Meeting the 1,095-day requirement does not remove a tax filing obligation when Canadian law required a return.
Language and Canadian Citizenship Test Requirements
Adults between 18 and 54 years old on the day they sign the application must prove adequate knowledge of English or French.
The required level is equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmarks level 4 for English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien level 4 for French. Applicants must demonstrate basic speaking and listening ability, including understanding simple questions and directions, participating in short everyday conversations and using basic grammar and common vocabulary.
Accepted proof can include approved language test results, certain educational credentials and other documents recognized by IRCC. An applicant’s communication with a Canadian citizenship official may also be considered during processing.
Adults aged 18 to 54 must also take the Canadian citizenship test, unless IRCC grants a waiver. The test is based on the official Discover Canada study guide and covers subjects including Canadian history, geography, government, laws, symbols and responsibilities.
Adults aged 55 and older do not normally have to prove language ability or take the test. Minors under 18 also do not normally have to meet the adult language and test requirements.
Canadian Citizenship Requirements for Minor Children
Minor children generally must be permanent residents. The physical presence requirement depends on the type of minor application.
A minor applying under the regular minor provisions generally must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days during the five-year period before the parent or guardian signs the application. Minors between 14 and 17 must also sign the application and meet the oath requirement.
Children under 14 do not have to take the oath, although they may attend the ceremony with the parent or guardian who applied for them.
Minors applying under another provision, such as an application connected to a Canadian parent, may have different requirements. Applicants should use the application instructions that apply to the child’s situation.
Current Canadian Citizenship Fees and Processing Time
As of March 31, 2026, the fee for an adult citizenship application is $653. This consists of the $530 processing fee and the $123 right of citizenship fee.
The fee for a minor applicant is $100. Applicants must pay online and include the receipt with the application.
IRCC lists processing for adult and minor citizenship grants at about 12 months. This period starts when IRCC receives a complete application and ends when the applicant becomes a Canadian citizen. It includes the test and ceremony where applicable.
Applications can take longer when they are non-routine or complex, when information is missing or when IRCC requires additional documents, fingerprints, interviews or other review.
How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship
Applicants should first confirm their eligibility and calculate their physical presence for the five years before signing the application.
The next step is to gather the required forms, identity documents, travel information, language evidence and other supporting documents listed by IRCC.
Eligible applicants can apply online or on paper. Applicants should not submit both types of application for the same Canadian citizenship request.
After submission, IRCC checks whether the forms are complete, the required documents are included and the fees have been paid. An incomplete application may be returned, and processing can restart when a corrected application is submitted.
Applicants must continue meeting the citizenship requirements until they take the oath. They should update IRCC if their address, contact details, family situation or other important information changes.
Citizenship Test, Interview and Ceremony
Applicants who are required to take the test receive instructions from IRCC after the application has entered processing.
Applicants should study the official Discover Canada guide rather than relying on unofficial questions or answer banks.
IRCC may invite an applicant to an interview or request additional information if it needs to verify eligibility, identity, travel history, language ability or other details.
Approved applicants become Canadian citizens after taking the oath of citizenship at a ceremony. Adults and minors aged 14 to 17 must take the oath, unless an approved waiver applies.
After the ceremony, the applicant receives an electronic or paper citizenship certificate. The certificate is proof of citizenship but is not a passport or travel document.
A new citizen should obtain a valid Canadian passport or other appropriate travel document before travelling internationally. A citizenship certificate cannot be used as a passport replacement.
Criminal and Other Prohibitions
Some people cannot become Canadian citizens because they are subject to a prohibition under the Citizenship Act.
Examples can include being in prison, on parole or on probation; being under a removal order; being charged with, on trial for or involved in an appeal for certain offences; or having recent convictions for specified offences in Canada or abroad.
Citizenship can also be affected by war crimes, crimes against humanity, a citizenship application refused for misrepresentation within the relevant period or a previous revocation for fraud within the relevant period.
If a prohibition may apply, applicants should disclose the information accurately and seek qualified legal advice. If a prohibiting situation arises while an application is being processed, the applicant must contact IRCC.
Dual Citizenship and Travel After Approval
Canada allows dual citizenship, but the other country may not allow its citizens to retain their original nationality after becoming Canadian. Applicants should check with the embassy, high commission or consulate of their other country before applying.
Most dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada. Canadian-American dual citizens may fly to Canada with either a valid Canadian or U.S. passport, but they should carry identification showing their Canadian citizenship.
Canadian citizenship is therefore more than a final immigration step. It requires careful preparation, accurate travel and tax records, and continued compliance until the oath is completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need to live in Canada before applying for citizenship?
Most applicants need at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada during the five years before signing the application, including at least 730 days as a permanent resident.
How much does Canadian citizenship cost?
The current adult citizenship application fee is $653, while the current fee for a minor applicant is $100.
Do I need to take a citizenship test?
Adults aged 18 to 54 on the day they sign the application normally must take the citizenship test. Adults aged 55 and older and minors under 18 are generally exempt.
Can I keep my current citizenship after becoming Canadian?
Canada allows dual citizenship, but the applicant’s other country may not. Applicants should check that country’s citizenship rules before applying.
Fact-Checked: Reviewed against current Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada eligibility, fee, processing-time, citizenship test and ceremony pages available in October 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is general information and is not legal advice. Applicants should confirm their circumstances and current requirements with IRCC before applying.
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