How to Get Canadian Citizenship — 2026 Complete Guide

For many permanent residents, becoming a Canadian citizen is the final and most meaningful step in their immigration journey.

With one of the world’s strongest passports, full voting rights, and no residency obligations, Canadian citizenship offers rights and security that permanent residence simply cannot match.

This guide walks you through every step of the citizenship application process — from checking your eligibility to taking the oath at your swearing-in ceremony.

Already eligible through a Canadian ancestor? If you believe you may already be a Canadian citizen through a parent, grandparent, or earlier ancestor, the process is different.

Learn about Canadian citizenship by descent under Bill C-3 →

Citizenship Questions? We Can Help

How to Get Canadian Citizenship

To become a Canadian citizen by naturalization, you must first immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident. Once you hold PR status and meet the eligibility requirements below, you can apply for citizenship through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The process has three stages:

  1. Meet the eligibility requirements
  2. Submit your citizenship application
  3. Pass the citizenship test and attend the swearing-in ceremony

Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Requirements

Physical Presence in Canada

You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) out of the five years immediately before the date you sign your citizenship application.

Your presence does not need to be continuous — the days simply need to add up to 1,095 over that five-year window.

Immigration Tip 💡

Keep detailed records of every trip outside Canada, entry and exit dates, destinations, and lengths of absence. These records are essential when calculating your residency days toward citizenship.

Errors in your physical presence calculation are one of the most common causes of application delays and refusals.

Counting time spent in Canada before becoming a permanent resident: Each day spent in Canada as a temporary resident (student, worker, or visitor) or protected person before you obtained permanent residence counts as half a day toward the 1,095-day requirement. You can use up to 365 days earned under pre-PR temporary status.

Working outside Canada for the federal government: If you work abroad as an employee of the Canadian federal public administration, Canadian Armed Forces, or the public service of a province or territory, or if you are the spouse of someone in that position, your time spent outside Canada may count toward the residency requirement.

Learn more about residency credit for government employees →

File Your Taxes

You must have filed your Canadian income taxes for at least three years during the five years before applying. This requirement applies if you were required to file taxes under the Income Tax Act.

If you have any outstanding tax filings, address them before submitting your citizenship application. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) cross-references tax records during the citizenship review process.

Demonstrate Language Ability

If you are between the ages of 18 and 54 at the time of signing your application, you must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in English or French, a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in speaking and listening.

You can prove your language proficiency through one of the following:

  • An approved language test (see approved tests below)
  • A diploma, transcript, or certificate from a completed secondary or post-secondary program in English or French (from any country)
  • A language certificate from an approved government-funded language program

Applicants under 18 or over 54 are exempt from the language requirement.

Immigration Tip 💡

If you applied for permanent residence through a skilled worker program like Express Entry, your language test results are likely sufficient for your citizenship application. There is no expiry date on language test results used for citizenship, unlike for most immigration applications.

Be a Permanent Resident in Good Standing

You must hold valid Canadian permanent residence and must not be under a removal order. You cannot have a conviction for a criminal offence in the past three years, and you must not be on parole or probation, or currently serving a prison sentence.

Step 2: Submit Your Citizenship Application

Gather Your Documents

Before starting your application, collect the following:

  • Valid passport and all previous passports covering the five-year residency period
  • Physical presence calculation (a detailed travel history covering five years)
  • Immigration records confirming your PR status
  • Language test results or proof of language proficiency
  • Tax assessment notices for the relevant years
  • Passport-sized photographs meeting IRCC specifications
  • Identity documents for any family members included in the application

Pay the Fees

  • Adult application fee: $653 (which includes a $123 right of citizenship fee)
  • Fee for a minor (under 18): $100

Note: The right of citizenship fee ($123) applies to adult applicants only.

Apply Online

Individual applicants and families can apply together in a single application through the IRCC portal. Applying online is strongly recommended. Paper applications take two to three months longer to process.

Once IRCC receives your complete application, they will issue an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) confirming your file is in the queue.

Step 3: Pass the Citizenship Test and Attend Your Ceremony

The Canadian Citizenship Test

Applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 must pass a citizenship test to demonstrate their knowledge of Canada’s rights, responsibilities, history, and government. As of March 9, 2026, IRCC formalized the online test as the permanent default format for all eligible applicants.

Test format:

  1. Format: Self-administered online test (webcam ID verification required)
  2. Questions: 20 (multiple choice and true/false)
  3. Time limit: 45 minutes
  4. Passing score: 15 out of 20 (75%)
  5. Number of attempts: Up to three attempts
  6. Study material: Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

Topics covered: Canadian history, geography, economy, government, laws and the justice system, national symbols, Indigenous peoples, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

What you need to take the test online:

  • A computer or tablet with a webcam
  • A stable internet connection
  • A well-lit room
  • Your government-issued photo ID

If you don’t pass, IRCC allows up to three attempts at the online test. If you fail all three, IRCC will schedule you for a hearing with a citizenship officer. You will not lose your citizenship application, but the process will take longer.

Immigration Tip 💡

You won’t be able to take the test until IRCC invites you, typically four to seven months after submitting your application. Once you receive your invitation, you have 21 days to complete the test. 

Don’t wait for the invitation to start studying. Download the Discover Canada guide and give yourself at least two to three weeks of preparation time.

Citizenship Test Exemptions

The following applicants are exempt from the citizenship test:

  • Applicants under the age of 18 at the time of signing the application
  • Applicants over the age of 54 at the time of signing the application

IRCC also provides special accommodations for applicants with disabilities, including extended test time, oral tests, large-print and Braille formats, wheelchair-accessible venues, and sign language interpretation.

The Citizenship Ceremony

The citizenship ceremony is the final step. IRCC will send you a Notice to Appear, an official invitation to attend your oath ceremony. At the ceremony, you take the Oath of Citizenship, formally committing to Canada’s rights and responsibilities.

Upon taking the oath, you become a Canadian citizen. You will receive your official citizenship certificate at the ceremony (or shortly after, depending on the format). From that point, you are entitled to all the rights and privileges of Canadian citizenship — including the right to vote, run for public office, and apply for a Canadian passport.

Canadian Citizenship Application Processing Times

The processing time for a citizenship application may vary depending on when you submit your application and its complexity. 

For applications submitted in 2026, the current processing times are 13 months. 

A note on what “processing time” means: The 12-month figure covers submission to decision, not submission to oath ceremony. The oath ceremony is scheduled separately after the decision is issued and currently adds two to four months to the overall timeline due to high demand for scheduling. Build this into your planning if you need your citizenship certificate by a specific date.

Factors that can extend your processing time:

  • An incomplete application or missing documents
  • Close-to-the-line physical presence calculations
  • Complex travel history requiring additional review
  • Outstanding tax filings
  • Security or criminal record checks
  • Adding a family member mid-process

Always check IRCC’s live processing time tool for the most current estimate before applying.

Approved Language Proof for Canadian Citizenship

Applicants aged 18 to 54 must demonstrate CLB level 4 in speaking and listening. There are three accepted categories of proof:

1. Diploma, Transcript, or Certificate from an English or French Program

If you completed a secondary or post-secondary program in English or French, you can submit your diploma, transcript, or certificate as proof. This applies to institutions in Canada and abroad.

2. Government-Funded Language Program Certificate

A language certificate from an approved federally or provincially funded language program is accepted. Approved programs include:

Federal programs:

Provincial programs:

3. Approved Third-Party Language Tests

You can also submit results from the following approved language tests:

You will need to demonstrate a CLB level 4 in speaking and listening. 

Immigration Tip 💡

Unlike language test results used for most immigration programs, those submitted for a citizenship application have no expiry date. If your Express Entry or PR language scores already demonstrate CLB 4 in speaking and listening, you can reuse them. 

Five Things You Can Do as a Canadian Citizen That You Can't as a Permanent Resident

Permanent residents enjoy many of the same rights as Canadian citizens, access to public healthcare and education, the ability to live and work anywhere in Canada, and protection under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But citizenship unlocks five additional rights and freedoms that PR status does not.

1. Vote in Canadian Elections

Canada is a parliamentary democracy. Every Canadian citizen over the age of 18 can vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections, casting a ballot for the party and candidates who will govern their country, province, and city. Permanent residents cannot vote in any Canadian election.

2. Run for Public Office

Canadian citizens can run in municipal, provincial, or federal elections. Whether that means a seat on a local school board, a provincial legislature, or the House of Commons, citizenship is the prerequisite.

3. Apply for a Canadian Passport

Citizens can apply for a Canadian passport, one of the world’s most powerful travel documents. As of 2026, a Canadian passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries. Passports are valid for 10 years (adult) or 5 years (minor) and are far more convenient than a permanent resident card for international travel. Permanent residents cannot hold a Canadian passport.

4. Pass Citizenship to Your Children

The children of Canadian citizens — whether born in Canada or abroad — are automatically Canadian citizens. A citizen’s child born outside Canada does not need to go through the immigration process. Permanent residents, by contrast, can only pass Canadian citizenship to a child born on Canadian soil. Children of PRs born outside Canada must be sponsored to immigrate.

For the rules governing citizenship passed by descent beyond the first generation, see our Complete Guide to Canadian Citizenship by Descent Under Bill C-3.

5. Live Anywhere in the World Without Losing Status

Canadian citizens are free to relocate abroad indefinitely without risking their citizenship. There are no residency requirements for citizens. The only limitation is that Canadians who have lived outside Canada for more than five consecutive years lose the right to vote in federal elections — but their citizenship itself remains intact.

Permanent residents, by contrast, must maintain at least 730 days of physical presence in Canada every five years to keep their PR status.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to live in Canada before I can apply for citizenship?

You must accumulate at least 1,095 days (three years) of physical presence in Canada within the five years before you sign your citizenship application. Your days don’t need to be continuous.

Does my time in Canada before becoming a permanent resident count?

Yes, each day you spent in Canada as a temporary resident (student, worker, or visitor) or protected person before obtaining PR counts as half a day, up to a maximum of 365 days.

Can I get Canadian citizenship without taking the IELTS?

Yes. You are not required to use IELTS specifically. You can demonstrate language proficiency through a diploma or transcript from an English or French educational program, a government-funded language program certificate, or any of the other approved language tests listed above. Applicants under 18 or over 54 are exempt from the language requirement entirely.

Can I get Canadian citizenship without living in Canada?

Not in most cases. You must physically reside in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the five years before applying. The only exception involves time spent outside Canada while employed by the Canadian federal government, the Armed Forces, or a provincial or territorial public service, or as the spouse of such an employee.

For the rules governing citizenship passed by descent from a Canadian ancestor, see our Complete Guide to Canadian Citizenship by Descent Under Bill C-3. 

How much does applying for Canadian citizenship cost?

Canadian citizenship costs for a single applicant are $653 CAD per adult and $100 CAD per child, broken down as follows: 

  • Processing fees: $530/adult & $100/child 
  • Right of citizenship fee: $123/adult 

Note that the right of citizenship fee applies only to adult applications. 

Can I keep my current citizenship when I become Canadian?

Yes. Canada recognizes dual and multiple citizenship so that you can keep your current nationality. However, you should verify that your country of origin also permits dual citizenship; some countries do not.

Do children need to meet the 1,095-day requirement?

No. Permanent resident children under 18 who apply together with a parent are not required to meet the physical presence requirement independently.

Can Canadian citizenship be revoked?

Yes, in limited circumstances. Under the Canadian Citizenship Act, the government can revoke citizenship if it was obtained through misrepresentation, fraud, or the deliberate concealment of material circumstances.

Does Canadian citizenship expire?

No. Canadian citizenship does not expire and does not need to be renewed. Unlike permanent residence, there are no ongoing residency requirements to maintain your citizenship once you receive it.

Do I have to apply as soon as I become eligible?

No. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply whenever you are ready. There are no application windows, deadlines, or consequences for waiting.

What makes someone ineligible for Canadian citizenship?

IRCC will deny a citizenship application if the applicant:

  • Does not hold valid Canadian permanent residence
  • Cannot demonstrate or does not meet the 1,095-day physical presence requirement
  • Does not meet the minimum language proficiency requirement (if applicable)
  • Fails the citizenship test and/or interview
  • Has been ordered to leave Canada
  • Has been convicted of a criminal offence in the past three years
  • Is on parole, probation, or in prison
  • Has previously had their citizenship revoked
  • Is under investigation for, or has been convicted of, a crime against humanity or war crime

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