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Canadian citizenship provides many advantages not only for living within the country (for example, applying for positions that only citizens are hired for), but also allows visa-free travel to the vast majority of countries in the world, since the Canadian passport has been on the list of the most "powerful" passports in the world for many years. Current Canadian passport design was introduced in 2023 (video).
To become a Canadian citizen, most applicants must:
be a permanent resident (you don’t need a valid PR-card to apply for citizenship; you can apply with an expired PR-card),
have lived in Canada for at least 3 (1,095 days) out of the last 5 years (you may be able to include up to 2 calendar years which will be counted as 1 year for citizenship purposes which you spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person) (use this calculator to ensure that you have enough days),
have filed their taxes for at least 3 years during the 5 years right before the application date,
pass the citizenship test if you are 18-54 years old,
prove language skills in English or French if you are 18-54 years old,
take the oath of citizenship if you’re 14 and older.
You don’t automatically become a citizen when you marry a Canadian. If you’re the spouse of a Canadian citizen, you must meet the same requirements listed above (no exception).
If you have a Canadian parent or grandparent, you may be a Canadian citizen.
Requirements are slightly different for adults (18 and older) and for minors (check by clicking links).
Simplified Process Model
Gather documents (slightly different for adults and for minors), take a photo,
Apply online, pay the fees: 18 or older – $649.75, under 18 – $100,
Get an invitation to pass the citizenship test if you’re 18 to 54 years old, and pass it within 30 days (you have 3 attempts),
Get an invitation and take the oath of citizenship if you’re 14 and older.
You must contact IRCC after you submit your application if you change your address, plan to leave Canada for more than 2 weeks in a row, or are charged with a crime.
If you’re 18 to 54 years of age, you must submit proof that you can speak and listen at the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 or higher in English or French. This one proof may be:
a copy of proof that you completed or are attending a secondary or post-secondary program in English or French (diploma, transcript, certificate). The program can be in or outside Canada. Your proof must be in English or French. If it’s in another language, you must also send a certified English or French translation. The translation should show that the language of instruction of the program was English or French
language test results when you applied for permanent residence (IELTS-General, CELPIP-General, PTE, TEF-Canada, TCF-Canada)
a copy of your certificate if you completed LINC/CLIC training which shows level 4 or higher in speaking and listening
certificate from the Adult Non-Credit Language Training Program which shows you have level 4 or higher in speaking and listening
If you don’t have any of the abovementioned proofs, then you need to pass a language test (for English, CELPIP-G LS is the most preferable, but it may also be IELTS or PTE-Core for English, or TEF or TCF for French).
Here is the table of all language tests acceptable for citizenship purposes if you don't have any language skills proofs mentioned in the section above. You can also check the same full list here, or simply right-click on the image and select the option to view the full list in a new window in high resolution.
If you have never passed any language test and are unsure of what your English/French level is, you can check it here by doing a free English/French test with the aim of measuring your level. It will help you understand if you’re ready to pass the language test (you're ready if you score 4 or above).
If you’re between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you must take the citizenship test.
The test will ask questions about the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens, Canada’s history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols.
You’ll be invited to the test after you submit your application.
You may also get an accommodation or waiver depending on your situation.
The test is online in most cases, has 20 questions that are either multiple choice or true or false, is in English or French, is 45 minutes long, and you need to get at least 15 out of 20 questions right to pass the test (details). It must be passed within 30 days after you get your invitation to the test. You’ll get the unofficial test score right after you submit the test.
If you fail the test 3 times, you’ll be invited to a hearing with a citizenship official where you’ll be orally asked questions that are similar to those on the citizenship test. If you fail the hearing, your application will be refused, and you will need to reapply and pay the fees again if you still want to become a citizen.
Study Guide Discover Canada – The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship is used by newcomers to study for the citizenship test. You can read it online, listen to it, or get a paper copy for free. You can also enroll into a specialised course to prepare for your citizenship via any settlement agency which offers such services.
You can check your knowledge and test yourself here.
For most citizenship applicants, the citizenship ceremony is the last step before becoming a Canadian citizen.
If you’re a citizenship candidate, the ceremony is a special, dignified and meaningful occasion where you take the oath of citizenship, an opportunity to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, celebrate with your family and friends.
Applicants 14 or older at the ceremony date must take the oath. You must be in Canada to take the oath of citizenship and bring necessary documents.
You may ask for an accommodation or waiver depending on your situation.
Ceremony formats: a virtual ceremony via a video conference call or an in-person ceremony. You can ask for a change of the ceremony format or reschedule it. You can also bring guests, but check the details in the invitation letter.
After the citizenship ceremony
Get your citizenship certificate (in your application, you can choose the electronic or paper format).
Get your passport (wait for your Canadian passport before leaving the country). If you have an e-certificate, you must print it to apply for a passport. If you’re a dual Canadian citizen, you can enter Canada only with a valid Canadian passport.
Register to vote for federal and provincial/territorial elections.
After you become a Canadian citizen, you don’t need to tell IRCC if you change your address.
Disclaimer: Provided information is not a legal advice. Every case is unique. We recommend you to discuss your case with a specialist first.
Have questions? Want to assess your case? Need professional help?
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Last updated October 23, 2025
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