Who can apply
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Status | Permanent resident, with no unfulfilled conditions on your PR status |
| Physical presence | 1,095 days in the 5 years before you sign, including at least 730 days as a PR. Pre-PR days as a temporary resident or protected person count as half-days, up to 365 days. Count your days → |
| Income tax | You may need to have filed taxes for at least 3 of the 5 years before you apply |
| Language (ages 18–54) | Speaking and listening at CLB/NCLC 4 or higher |
| Citizenship test (ages 18–54) | 20 questions, 45 minutes, pass mark 15 (75%) |
| Prohibitions | For example, being on parole or probation in Canada, a misrepresentation refusal in the past 5 years, or an indictable conviction in the 4 years before you apply |
Applicants aged 55 and over don't need to prove language or take the test. Minors under 18 don't either, and minors under 14 don't take the oath.
Fees
| Application | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Adult (18 and over) — includes the $123 right of citizenship fee | $653 |
| Minor (under 18) | $100 |
| Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) | $75 |
If an adult application is refused, IRCC says it refunds the right of citizenship fee only. Fees are from IRCC's fee list.
Language proof
You can prove CLB 4 with a secondary or post-secondary program completed in English or French, or with an approved test. IRCC accepts results even if they're expired.
| Test | Minimum for citizenship |
|---|---|
| CELPIP-General | 4 in listening and speaking |
| IELTS General Training | Listening 4.5, speaking 4.0 (IELTS Academic isn't accepted) |
| PTE Core | Listening 28, speaking 42 |
| TEF Canada | B1 in listening and speaking |
| TCF Canada | B1 |
The citizenship test
- 20 multiple-choice or true/false questions, 45 minutes, in English or French.
- You need 15 correct to pass. Questions come from the official study guide, Discover Canada; there are no language questions.
- You get 3 chances. If you fail all 3, IRCC invites you to a hearing with an officer (30 to 90 minutes).
- The online test must be taken within 30 days of the invitation, and the timer can't be paused.
- Take a free 20-question practice test →
After the test: the oath
Adults and minors aged 14 to 17 take the oath of citizenship at a ceremony; you can swear or affirm it. You become a citizen when you take the oath.
How to apply
- Count your days with the physical presence calculator — IRCC encourages applying with more than 1,095 days. Online applicants use the calculator in their IRCC account.
- Gather language proof (ages 18–54), tax information and travel history, including same-day trips.
- Apply online or on paper and pay the fee. Paper applications received more than 90 days after the date on the form are returned.
- Take the test (if 18–54), then attend the ceremony.
Check current times on the processing times page.