Canada Citizenship Application

Becoming a Canadian citizen is one of the most significant milestones in a permanent resident's life. After years of building your career, your home, and your community here, citizenship is the final step that makes it all official. It is not just a document — it is full, unconditional belonging.

If you have held permanent resident (PR) status in Canada and have been physically present here long enough, you may already be eligible. This page walks you through everything you need to know about the 2026 citizenship application process — requirements, costs, timelines, dual citizenship rules, and the steps involved.

What Is a Canadian Citizenship Application?

A citizenship application is a formal request submitted by a permanent resident who wishes to become a Canadian citizen. The process is governed by the Citizenship Act, which sets out the criteria applicants must meet and the procedures they must follow.

Once approved, Canadian citizenship grants you the full and equal rights of someone born here — including the right to vote, the right to hold a Canadian passport, and access to government positions restricted to citizens.

Unlike permanent residence, citizenship does not expire and does not require you to meet ongoing residency obligations to maintain your status.

Close-up of hands in a navy suit signing official documents on a mahogany desk with a metallic maple leaf paperweight.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility Requirements

Before submitting your application, you need to confirm that you meet all of the following requirements.

Permanent Resident Status You must hold valid Canadian PR status at the time of application. You cannot be under a removal order, under investigation for immigration fraud, or subject to an unfulfilled condition on your PR. Note that your PR card does not need to be valid at the time of application — an expired PR card does not prevent you from applying for citizenship.

Physical Presence — 1,095 Days in 5 Years You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) within the five years immediately before your application date. Days do not need to be consecutive.

One important rule many applicants miss: time spent in Canada before becoming a permanent resident (as a student, worker, or visitor) counts as half a day for each day — up to a maximum of 365 days. So up to one year of pre-PR time may still count toward your total.

Crown servants and their family members living abroad in the course of official duties may also count certain time outside Canada toward the requirement.

Tax Filing You must have filed income taxes in Canada for at least three of the five years within your eligibility period — if required to do so under the Income Tax Act.

Language Proficiency — CLB 4 Applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 must demonstrate adequate ability to communicate in English or French. IRCC requires a minimum of Level 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) in both speaking and listening. You can demonstrate language ability through approved tests such as IELTS or CELPIP, or through evidence of prior education or work in Canada conducted in English or French. Applicants under 18 or over 54 are exempt.

Knowledge of Canada Applicants between 18 and 54 must also pass a citizenship knowledge test. The test covers Canada's history, geography, government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. IRCC provides a free study guide — Discover Canada — which is the only study material you need. The passing score is 15 out of 20.

Age You must be at least 18 years old to apply on your own. For children under 18, a parent or legal guardian can include them on an application or apply separately on their behalf. Minors are not required to pass the knowledge test or language test independently. Children under 18 who apply with a parent do not need to independently meet the physical presence requirement.

Criminal History Certain criminal convictions may make you ineligible. You cannot apply if you are currently on probation or parole, under a removal order, have been convicted of an indictable offence in the past four years, or are being investigated for a war crime or crime against humanity. Each situation is different — if you have any criminal history, speak with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before submitting.

Marriage to a Canadian Does Not Grant Automatic Citizenship This is one of the most common misconceptions. Marrying a Canadian citizen does not fast-track or automatically grant citizenship. You still need to qualify for permanent residence first, then meet all eligibility criteria and apply like any other applicant. There is no expedited process based solely on marriage.

How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship — Step by Step

Step 1: Calculate Your Physical Presence Use the IRCC Physical Presence Calculator to count your eligible days. Print and include the calculation with your application. This is one of the top reasons applications are returned — roughly 1 in 12 applications is sent back before IRCC even opens the file, often because of a flawed residency calculation.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents You will need:

• Your permanent resident card (or other PR documentation)
• Proof of your full travel history (passports, CBSA travel history)
• Tax filing confirmation (Notice of Assessment or tax transcript) for the required years
• Language test results, if applicable
• Two citizenship photos meeting IRCC specifications
• The completed Physical Presence Calculator printout

Step 3: Choose the Right Application Package IRCC offers different packages depending on your situation: adults 18 and over, minors under 18, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, stateless persons born to a Canadian parent, and persons adopted by a Canadian citizen.

Step 4: Submit Your Application Online IRCC strongly recommends submitting through the IRCC online portal. Paper applications are accepted but typically add two to three months to your processing time. Your application must be accurate and complete — IRCC will return incomplete applications without processing them, and fees are not refunded.

Step 5: Attend the Citizenship Test Once your application is reviewed, you will be invited to take the citizenship test. See the section below for full details on the 2026 format.

Step 6: Take the Oath of Citizenship If your application is approved, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony. See below for details on what to expect.

The Canadian Citizenship Test — 2026

The citizenship test is a significant update from how it worked even a year ago. Here is what to expect in 2026.

Online is now the permanent default. As of March 9, 2026, IRCC officially formalized online testing as the standard format for all eligible applicants. The days of mandatory in-person written exams are over for most people. IRCC assigns your format when you receive your invitation — you cannot choose between online or in-person.

Format and rules:

• 20 questions (multiple choice and true/false)
• 45-minute time limit (online) — previously 30 minutes for in-person tests
• Questions are drawn from a bank of approximately 300 to 400 questions, balanced by topic and difficulty
• You complete the test from home via a secure IRCC portal — a webcam is required
• Passing score: 15 out of 20 (75%)
• You have up to 3 attempts within a 30-day window

Topics covered: Canadian history, geography, government and the justice system, economy, national symbols, Indigenous peoples, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. All questions are based on the official Discover Canada study guide.

If you don't pass after 3 attempts: IRCC will schedule you for a hearing with a citizenship officer — an oral assessment, not a formal retest. Your application is not cancelled, but the process will take longer. At the hearing, the officer can assess all aspects of your application, not just the knowledge requirement.

Applicants under 18 or over 54 are exempt from the test entirely.

Citizenship Ceremony and Oath

Once your application is approved after the test, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony to take the Oath of Citizenship. This is mandatory for all applicants aged 14 and over — you are not a Canadian citizen until the oath is taken.

At the ceremony, you will:

• Take the Oath of Citizenship in English or French (your choice)
• Receive your Canadian citizenship certificate
• Have the option to sing "O Canada"

Ceremonies can be in-person at an IRCC office or virtual, depending on availability. Currently, ceremony scheduling adds approximately two to four months after test approval due to existing backlogs. Plan accordingly.

Your citizenship certificate is the official document proving your status. Keep it in a safe place — you will need it to apply for a Canadian passport.

After Citizenship — Your Canadian Passport

One of the first things most new citizens do is apply for a Canadian passport. With your citizenship certificate in hand, you can apply immediately.

As of April 1, 2026, IRCC guarantees passport processing within 30 business days. Current fees are $163.50 CAD for a 10-year adult passport and $122.50 CAD for a 5-year passport.

The Canadian passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of countries worldwide, making international travel significantly easier than traveling on the passport of most other countries.

Apply through Passport Canada once you have your citizenship certificate.

Dual Citizenship — Will You Keep Your Home Country Nationality?

One of the most important questions applicants ask before starting their citizenship process: will I lose my current citizenship?

Canada's position is straightforward: Canada recognizes and allows dual and multiple citizenship without any restrictions. When you become a Canadian citizen, Canada will not require you to renounce or give up any other nationality you hold. You can hold as many citizenships as you want from Canada's perspective.

The question is what your home country will allow. About 30 countries do not permit dual citizenship. If you are from one of those countries, you may lose your original nationality the moment you take the Canadian oath. Canada does not proactively inform your home country of your naturalization — but your original country may discover it when you renew your passport or apply for consular services.

Here is a country-by-country overview for the most common nationalities we work with:

A note on Iran specifically: While Iran formally states it does not recognize dual nationality, in practice the situation is nuanced. Iran considers Iranian-born individuals to be Iranian regardless of other citizenships they hold. If you travel to Iran with a Canadian passport, Iranian authorities may treat you as an Iranian national and require you to use your Iranian passport. The Government of Canada has no embassy or consulate in Iran and cannot provide consular assistance to Canadian-Iranian dual nationals while they are in Iran. If you hold both citizenships, take this risk seriously before traveling to Iran.

If your country is not on this list, verify its laws directly with your home country's embassy or a qualified legal professional before applying for Canadian citizenship. Citizenship laws change, and the consequences of losing your original nationality can be significant.

Citizenship by Descent — Bill C-3 (2026)

One of the most significant changes to Canadian citizenship law in decades came into force on December 15, 2025, when Bill C-3 amended the Citizenship Act. This change affects people who were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent — and it may mean you are already a Canadian citizen without knowing it.

What changed under Bill C-3?

Previously, Canadian citizenship by descent was limited to the first generation born outside Canada. If your parent was a Canadian citizen who was themselves born outside Canada, you did not qualify. Bill C-3 removed this first-generation limit in most cases.

Under the new law, you may be a Canadian citizen by descent if:

• You were born outside Canada and at least one parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of your birth, OR
• You have a Canadian grandparent — depending on the circumstances and connection to Canada

The substantial connection requirement (for new births after December 15, 2025): For children born or adopted outside Canada on or after December 15, 2025, to a Canadian parent who was themselves born or adopted outside Canada, the Canadian parent must demonstrate they lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) before the child's birth or adoption.

What about people born before December 15, 2025? Many individuals who were previously excluded under the old first-generation limit may now automatically have Canadian citizenship under the new law. You do not need to apply to become a citizen — you may already be one. What you need to do is apply for a Proof of Citizenship (citizenship certificate) to officially confirm and document your status.

Lost Canadians: Bill C-3 also addressed the situation of "Lost Canadians" — people who lost citizenship under outdated provisions of earlier Citizenship Acts, including former rules under Section 8. These individuals may now have their citizenship restored automatically.

Processing times for citizenship certificates (Proof of Citizenship) are currently running approximately 12 months or longer due to a significant surge in applications since the law came into force.

Citizenship by descent cases can be complex, especially when tracing multi-generational eligibility. If you believe you may qualify, SEP Immigration can help you review your family history and determine the right path forward. Book a consultation to discuss your situation.

Not Sure If You Qualify?

Whether you are applying through naturalization as a permanent resident or exploring whether Bill C-3 applies to your family history, getting the eligibility assessment right before you submit is the most important step. Our team at SEP Immigration reviews your situation carefully — including complex travel histories, pre-PR time calculations, and descent-based claims.

Get a Free Assessment →

Urgent Processing of Citizenship Applications

In limited circumstances, IRCC may expedite the processing of a citizenship application. This is discretionary — you need to provide supporting documentation, and even if urgency is granted, IRCC cannot guarantee a specific processing timeframe.

Situations that may qualify for urgent processing include:

• You need citizenship to apply for a job, or to avoid losing a current job
• You need to travel urgently due to a death or serious illness in the family and cannot obtain a passport from your country of origin
• You have received a favourable Federal Court decision related to a previous citizenship application

If you believe you qualify for urgent processing, you should act quickly and have your full application prepared and ready to submit. Contact us to discuss whether your situation meets the threshold. Urgent processing is not available simply because of processing backlog frustration — IRCC applies it only where the need is documented and pressing.

Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

Citizenship opens doors that permanent residence simply does not.

The Right to Vote and Run for Office As a citizen, you can vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections — and you can run for elected office at any level.

A Canadian Passport The Canadian passport is one of the most recognized travel documents in the world, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of countries. Travel becomes significantly easier compared to most other passports.

No Status to Maintain Unlike permanent residence, citizenship does not expire. You do not need to renew a card, meet residency obligations, or worry about losing your status if you live or travel abroad for extended periods.

Access to All Government Jobs Some positions in the Canadian government and military are restricted to citizens only. Citizenship removes that barrier entirely.

Close-up of hands holding a dark blue booklet on a polished desk with a globe, symbolizing global travel and citizenship.

Your Children Benefit Too Children born in Canada automatically receive Canadian citizenship. If you are a Canadian citizen, children born abroad may also qualify as citizens by descent under the new rules introduced by Bill C-3. See the section above for details.

Security of Status Citizenship cannot be lost simply through absence from Canada, as permanent residence can. Once you are a citizen, that status is yours for life — unless it was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation.

Citizenship Can Be Revoked — But Only in Specific Circumstances Under the Citizenship Act, the government can revoke citizenship if it was obtained through fraud, misrepresentation, or the deliberate concealment of material facts. Citizenship obtained honestly, through proper process, is permanent.

What Happens If Your Citizenship Application Is Refused?

A refusal is not the end of the road, but the path forward depends on why the application was refused.

Reapplying: In most cases, you can submit a new application, pay the applicable fees again, and reapply. If the refusal was due to missing documents, an incorrect physical presence calculation, or a failed citizenship test, addressing those issues and reapplying is typically straightforward.

Judicial Review: If you believe the refusal was legally unreasonable or procedurally unfair, you may seek judicial review of the decision at the Federal Court of Canada. Judicial review is not a new hearing on the merits — it examines whether the decision was made properly and in accordance with the law. The deadline is strict: you have 30 days from receiving the refusal to file an application for judicial review. Missing this window eliminates that option.

Given the short timeline and the complexity of Federal Court proceedings, it is important to seek legal advice promptly if you receive a refusal and believe it was wrong. SEP Immigration can assess your situation and refer you to the appropriate legal representation if a Federal Court application is warranted.

Canadian Citizenship Fees (2026)

As of March 31, 2026, IRCC updated its citizenship fee schedule. Here is the current breakdown:

Important notes:

• The processing fee ($530) is non-refundable, even if your application is denied or returned.
• The right of citizenship fee ($123) is refundable if you withdraw your application or if it is refused before you take the oath.
• Payment is made online through the IRCC fee portal. Cash, cheque, and money orders are no longer accepted.
• If you are submitting applications for multiple family members together in one envelope, you can pay all fees with a single receipt.

Source: IRCC — Right of citizenship fee update, March 2026

Canadian Citizenship Processing Time (2026)

Processing times are updated monthly by IRCC based on actual applicant outcomes.

As of June 2026, IRCC is processing citizenship grant applications in approximately 12 to 14 months from the date your application is acknowledged. IRCC's published service standard covers 80% of applications within this window. Files requiring additional review — residency verification, security screening, tax record checks, or criminal history — can take longer.

The typical timeline breakdown:

• Months 1–3: Application received, initial review, physical presence verification
• Months 4–7: Background, security, and tax checks (typically no updates during this stage)
• Months 4–7: Citizenship test invitation
• Months 2–4 after passing test: Oath ceremony scheduling

You can check the latest processing times at the IRCC processing times page.