How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship
You can apply for citizenship after 3 years (1,095 days) of presence in Canada in person as a PR, within the last 5 years. You must also have filed taxes for 3 of those years. The process includes a test for adults 18–54, taken online or in person. It also includes an interview. At the end, there is a ceremony. You take the oath there and get your citizenship certificate.
At a glance
- Cost:
- $653 adult / $100 minor (2026 fees)
- Total time:
- About 1 year from application to ceremony
- Steps:
- 8 steps
- Where to apply:
- canada.ca
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked every 6 months · next review due April 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(October 2026).
0 of 8 steps
- Before You Go 45 min
Count your days precisely
Use the IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — The Canadian government department that runs Express Entry, work and study permits, PR cards, and citizenship.Click for official info ↗ Physical Presence Calculator. You need 1,095 days within the 5 years before you sign the application. Time as a temporary resident (worker or student) before PR counts as half-days. The credit is capped at 365 days. Sign and date the calculator printout. The date on it must match your signature date. Apply the day AFTER you pass 1,095 days.
Click to mark as done
- Before You Go 1–2 weeks + study time
Translate documents and study the test in your language
Any document that is not in English or French needs a certified translation. This includes passports from non-bilingual countries, birth or marriage certificates, and legal name-change records. The translator must be certified by a Canadian provincial or territorial association. Or the translator must be sworn in your country. Send the original with the translation. Now, about the citizenship testCanadian citizenship test — The 20-question multiple-choice test on Canada's history, values, and institutions, for applicants aged 18–54.Click for official info ↗. IRCC offers the test in English and French only. But the free "Discover CanadaDiscover Canada study guide — The official IRCC booklet for the Canadian citizenship test — available in English, French, and many other languages.Click for official info ↗" study guide and practice tests come in many languages through community settlement agencies. These include Hindi, Nepali, Portuguese, Spanish, and more. Study in your language first. Then practise the English or French questions. This guide itself is available in Hindi, Nepali, Português (Brasil), and Español. Use the dropdown above.
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- Before You Go 30 min
Check the tax and language requirements
You must have filed income taxes for at least 3 years within the 5-year window. This is true even if your income was zero. The CRACanada Revenue Agency — Canada's tax agency. It administers income tax, benefits like the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit), and CRA My Account.Click for official info ↗ checks this automatically. Adults 18–54 also need proof of English or French at CLB 4+. Accepted proof includes IELTS General or CELPIP results from any time. Or a transcript that shows secondary or post-secondary education in English or French.
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- Fill / Prepare 2–4 hours
Complete the application package
You need form CIT 0002. You also need the physical presence calculator printout, and CIT 0171 for consent and disclosure. Answer the residence questions with care. Every absence matters. Minors apply separately, on form CIT 0003. A minor can often apply with a parent. A minor applying with a Canadian parent (subsection 5(2)) has no physical-presence requirement at all; only minors applying alone under subsection 5(1) must meet the 1,095-day rule.
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- Submit & Pay 1 hour
Pay fees and submit online
The adult fee is $653. This is $530 for processing, which is non-refundable, plus a $123 right-of-citizenship fee. This fee is refunded only if your application is refused. Minors pay $100. Stateless adults born to a Canadian parent pay $123. That is the right-of-citizenship fee only. Most people apply through the IRCC portal. Keep every receipt and your file number. You need them to check your status.
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- Wait About 12 months
Wait for the test invitation
As of October 2026, IRCC processing for a citizenship grant was about 12 months. This changes by office and by season. When you are invited, adults 18–54 take a test. It has 20 multiple-choice questions, and the pass mark is 15. The questions cover rights, history, government, and law. Study the official "Discover Canada" guide and take the free practice tests. People aged 55+ skip the test, but they may have an interview.
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- Follow Up Same day to a few weeks
Attend the interview and ceremony
On the same day as the test, or soon after, an official checks your original documents. They ask questions about your application. If you are approved, you get a ceremony invitation, often weeks later. At the ceremony, you take the Oath of Citizenship and get your certificate. Your PR cardPermanent Resident Card — The official proof of Canadian permanent resident status, needed for travel back to Canada on commercial vehicles.Click for official info ↗ stops being valid at that moment. So apply for a passport and a new SINSocial Insurance Number — Your 9-digit Canadian work and tax number. You need it to work, open accounts, and receive benefits.Click for official info ↗ right away.
Click to mark as done
- Receive —
Your citizenship certificate
The citizenship certificate is a paper with your photo and a certificate number. It is not an ID card. It is your legal proof of citizenship for life. Use it to order your Canadian passport. Update your SIN record. Also update your provincial health card if it shows your PR status.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do days before becoming a PR count?
Yes, as half-days. Each day as a temporary resident counts as 0.5. The total credit is capped at 365 days. So two years on a work permit is about one year of presence.
Can I apply if I was outside Canada a lot?
Only days inside Canada count toward the 1,095. The temporary-resident credit is the one exception. Officers also look closely at absences at the interview. Have your passport stamps and flight records ready. IRCC can also check if you met your PR residency obligation in those years.
What happens if I fail the test?
You get up to 3 chances to pass the test. If you fail all of them, you may be invited to an interview or hearing. A citizenship official tests your knowledge by talking with you. Only after that can your application be refused. And you can apply again.
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