Apply for Canadian Citizenship2026-04-15T18:23:22+00:00
Apply for Canadian Citizenship
After you have been a permanent resident for at least 3 years and meet the other requirements, you can apply to become a Canadian citizen. The application is processed by IRCC, not ServiceOntario, but it is a key milestone for many Ontario newcomers.
Citizenship is federal, not provincial. ServiceOntario does not handle citizenship applications. You apply through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at canada.ca.
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet every requirement on this list at the time you apply. Missing even one means your application will be returned or refused.
You must be a permanent resident of Canada with no unfulfilled conditions on your status. This means:
• No active investigation into your immigration status
• No removal order against you
• No PR card revocation in progress
Your PR card itself does not need to be valid (it can be expired) as long as your underlying PR status is valid. However, if you plan to travel during the application process, you will need a valid PR card to re-enter Canada.
You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) within the 5-year period immediately before the date you sign your application. The clock looks backward from the day you sign, not the day you submit or the day IRCC receives.
How days are counted:
• Each day spent in Canada as a permanent resident counts as 1 full day
• Each day spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before becoming a PR counts as half a day, up to a maximum of 365 credited days
• Days spent outside Canada do not count, no matter the reason
• The day you arrived in Canada and the day you left both count as days in Canada
Use the official IRCC Physical Presence Calculator to verify your days. Apply with extra days as a buffer (typically 30+ extra days) to avoid issues if IRCC questions any specific entries or exits in your travel history.
You must have filed Canadian income tax returns for at least 3 of the 5 tax years immediately before the date you apply, if required to under the Income Tax Act. Most working residents are required to file.
"Filing" means submitting a return to the CRA. The amount of income or whether you owed tax does not matter. Even returns showing zero income still count as filed.
If you have not filed taxes for one or more years where you were required to, file the missing returns before applying. The CRA's Voluntary Disclosure Program may help avoid penalties for late filings.
If you are between 18 and 54 years old at the time of your application, you must demonstrate Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 in English or French. This corresponds to basic conversational ability: you can understand short questions and instructions, give simple directions, and have everyday conversations.
Acceptable proof:
• Results from a CIC-approved language test (CELPIP, IELTS General, TEF Canada, TCF Canada) at CLB 4 or higher
• Diploma or transcript from a secondary or post-secondary school where you studied in English or French (in or outside Canada)
• Certificate from a government-funded LINC or CLIC program at CLB 4 or higher
If you took an approved language test for your PR application, those results may still be valid. Check the test's expiry policy. Some tests are valid for 2 years (CELPIP, IELTS); others have no expiry for citizenship purposes.
Applicants under 18 or 55 and over are exempt from the language requirement and do not need to provide proof.
You must demonstrate basic knowledge of Canadian history, geography, government structure, laws, and symbols. This is tested through the citizenship test (covered in detail below).
All study material comes from the official IRCC guide called "Discover Canada", available free at canada.ca. Most settlement agencies and public libraries offer free citizenship test preparation classes.
You cannot apply if you are subject to any of these prohibitions:
• You are currently serving a sentence in Canada (prison, probation, parole)
• You were convicted of an indictable offence in Canada or another country in the past 4 years
• You have been charged with or are on trial for an offence under the Citizenship Act
• You had your Canadian citizenship revoked in the past 10 years for fraud or misrepresentation
If you are unsure whether a prior conviction affects your eligibility, consult a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer before applying.
The Application Process
Identity and immigration:
• Permanent Resident Card (front and back) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence
• All passports (current and any used during the 5-year qualifying period)
• Two passport-style photos meeting IRCC specifications
Presence proof:
• Complete travel history for the 5-year period (entries and exits with dates and destinations)
• Documents to verify residency: lease agreements, utility bills, employment records, school records
Other:
• Language proof (test results, school transcripts, or LINC certificate)
• Notice of Assessment from CRA for at least 3 of the 5 tax years
• If applying with family, the same documents for each family member
As of late 2023, IRCC has phased out paper citizenship applications for most adult applicants. You apply through the IRCC online portal at canada.ca/citizenship.
aCreate an IRCC secure account if you do not have one
bComplete the online application form section by section
cUpload scanned copies of all required documents
dPay the fees online with credit card or Interac
eSubmit. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2 to 4 weeks
Family applications: You can submit a single application package for your whole family. Each adult pays the full fee and each minor pays $100. The family is processed together but each person's eligibility is assessed individually.
After your application is processed, IRCC sends an invitation to take the citizenship test. As of 2025, most applicants take a self-administered online test from home. You have up to 3 attempts to pass.
Test format:
• 20 multiple-choice questions
• 30 minutes to complete
• Pass mark is 15 out of 20 (75%)
• Available in English or French
• Topics: Canadian history, geography, federal and provincial government, rights and responsibilities, symbols, and the legal system
All test material comes from the official IRCC study guide "Discover Canada", available as a free PDF at canada.ca. Read it cover-to-cover at least twice. Free practice tests are available online from settlement agencies, libraries, and citizenship preparation websites.
Pay attention to specific facts: the year a province joined Confederation, the names of the Fathers of Confederation, the rights in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the names and dates of important wars and treaties. Most failed tests are due to weak memorization of these specifics.
Not all applicants are interviewed, but IRCC may invite you if they need to verify your language ability, clarify information in your application, or check supporting documents. Interviews are scheduled at a local IRCC office and typically last 30 to 60 minutes.
Bring your original documents (passports, PR card, language proof, IDs) to the interview. The officer asks questions in either English or French to assess your language level if it could not be confirmed from documents alone.
Once your application is approved, IRCC invites you to a citizenship ceremony. This is the final step. You must attend the ceremony to officially become a Canadian citizen. Ceremonies are now offered in two formats:
•In person: Held at IRCC offices, public buildings, or special venues. The traditional format, often with a presiding judge, music, and family/friends in attendance.
•Virtual: Conducted online by video conference. The most common format today. You take the oath from home.
Both formats are equally valid. At the ceremony, you take the Oath of Citizenship, sign the Oath form, and receive your Canadian Citizenship Certificate. From this moment, you are officially a Canadian citizen.
Bring to the ceremony: Your PR card (you must surrender it after taking the oath), the ceremony invitation, government-issued photo ID, and any documents requested in your invitation.
Cost Breakdown
Adult application (18+)$530 processing fee + $100 right of citizenship fee$630
Minor application (under 18)Reduced fee for minors$100
Language test (CELPIP General LS)If you do not already have qualifying language proof$280
Passport photosPair of citizenship-spec photos at most pharmacies$15-25
FBI background check (if you lived in the US)Some applicants need foreign police certificates~$25 USD
After You Become a Citizen
Apply for a Canadian passport. Your citizenship certificate is the primary document needed. A 10-year adult passport costs $163.50.
Register to vote. Add yourself to the National Register of Electors at elections.ca. You can vote in federal, provincial, and municipal elections.
Update your status with employers and benefits. Inform your employer, banks, and government agencies of your new status. Your SIN does not change.
You no longer need a PR card. Your citizenship certificate replaces it as proof of your status.
You can sponsor family members for permanent residence (spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, parents, grandparents).
You cannot lose citizenship for time abroad. Unlike PR status (which requires you to spend 730 of every 5 years in Canada), citizenship is for life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my original citizenship after becoming Canadian? +
Canada allows dual or multiple citizenship. However, your original country may not. Some countries (China, India, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and others) automatically revoke your citizenship when you naturalize elsewhere, or require you to formally renounce. Check your home country's rules before applying. Canada itself does not require you to give up any other citizenship.
What if I fail the citizenship test 3 times? +
If you fail all 3 attempts, your application may be refused, but you can usually be referred to an in-person hearing with a citizenship officer who will assess your knowledge through an interview. If you still do not pass, you can reapply later, but you must pay the application fee again.
Can I apply if my PR card is expired? +
Yes. The PR card is just a travel document; it does not affect your underlying status. You can apply for citizenship with an expired PR card. However, if you plan to leave Canada and return during the application process, renew your PR card first or you will not be able to fly back.
Do I need to be employed when I apply? +
No. There is no employment or income requirement for citizenship. You only need to have filed taxes for 3 of the past 5 years if you were required to file. Stay-at-home parents, students, retirees, and unemployed individuals can all apply.
Can I travel during the application process? +
Yes, but be careful. Time spent outside Canada during the application process does not affect your eligibility (since the 1,095 days are calculated based on the 5 years before you sign), but you must be physically present in Canada to take your test and attend the oath ceremony. If you are abroad when these are scheduled, you may need to reschedule or risk losing your spot.
What is Bill C-3? +
Bill C-3, passed on December 15, 2025, changed how citizenship is passed through generations. Previously, citizenship by descent was limited to the first generation born outside Canada. The new rules expand who can claim citizenship through a Canadian parent or grandparent, particularly affecting people born outside Canada to Canadian parents who were themselves born outside Canada. If you think you may be eligible for citizenship by descent, consult IRCC or a licensed immigration consultant.
