On This Page, You Will Find:
- Bill C-3 and citizenship by descent
- Permanent resident status and other basic requirements
- The physical presence (1,095-day) requirement
- The income tax filing requirement
- The language requirement and accepted proof
- The citizenship test
- Prohibitions and bars to citizenship
- Minors applying for citizenship
- Citizenship fees, processing times, and the oath ceremony
- Frequently asked questions
Becoming a Canadian citizen is the final step in the immigration journey for most permanent residents. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sets out specific requirements an applicant must meet before being granted citizenship, and each one is assessed individually when an application is reviewed.
This guide sets out who qualifies for a grant of Canadian citizenship, what documents and proof IRCC expects, and the situations that can prevent someone from qualifying.
Bill C-3 And Citizenship By Descent
Some people born outside Canada may already be Canadian citizens through a Canadian parent or ancestor and therefore do not need to follow the standard permanent resident-to-citizenship process.
Bill C-3, which came into force on December 15, 2025, expanded citizenship by descent beyond the previous first-generation limit. The changes restored or extended citizenship to many people born abroad before that date who had previously been excluded under earlier rules.
For children born abroad on or after December 15, 2025, a Canadian parent who was also born or adopted abroad can pass on citizenship beyond the first generation if they spent at least 1,095 days in Canada before the child’s birth. People who are already citizens by descent can generally apply for a citizenship certificate as proof of their status.
Permanent Resident Status
To apply for citizenship, you must hold valid permanent resident (PR) status in Canada. Specifically, you must not be:
- under review for immigration or fraud reasons
- subject to a removal order asking you to leave Canada
- affected by unfulfilled conditions attached to your PR status, such as an outstanding medical screening requirement
A valid PR card is not required to apply. You can submit a citizenship application even if your PR card has expired, as long as your underlying permanent resident status is still valid.
Physical Presence Requirement
You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) during the five years immediately before the date you sign your application. IRCC recommends applying with more than the 1,095-day minimum in case of a calculation error.
Time spent in Canada before becoming a permanent resident, as a temporary resident or protected person, can count toward this total at a rate of one half-day for each day present, up to a maximum of 365 days. A temporary resident includes visitors, students, workers, and temporary resident permit holders. A protected person is someone found to be a convention refugee or a person in need of protection, or who received a positive Pre-Removal Risk Assessment decision.
Time spent serving a prison sentence, on parole, or on probation in Canada does not count toward physical presence, regardless of when it occurred.
See our full breakdown of the physical presence and three-year residence requirement for how to calculate your days.
Income Tax Filing Requirement
You may need to have filed Canadian income tax returns for at least three of the five years immediately before you apply, if you were required to file under Canadian tax law during that period. IRCC checks your tax filing history with the Canada Revenue Agency as part of assessing your application, so filing on time is important even in years with little or no income.
Language Requirement
If you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you must show adequate knowledge of English or French. This means being able to take part in short everyday conversations, understand simple instructions and questions, and use basic grammar and common vocabulary. These speaking and listening skills correspond to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveau de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) level 4 or higher.
Acceptable proof of your language ability includes:
- results from an approved third-party language test
- proof of completion of secondary or post-secondary studies conducted in English or French, in Canada or abroad
- certificates from a government-funded language training program (for example, in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec, or Saskatchewan) completed on or after November 1, 2012
Applicants who cannot meet the requirement because of their personal circumstances may request an accommodation (such as sign-language interpretation) or, in limited cases, a full waiver. Full details, including the exact list of accepted documents, are on our citizenship language requirement page.
The Citizenship Test
Applicants aged 18 to 54 on the day they sign their application must also pass the citizenship test. IRCC invites most applicants to complete the test online, usually within 30 days of receiving the invitation; some applicants are tested in person or by video call instead.
The test consists of 20 questions drawn from the official study guide, Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Topics include Canadian history, geography, the economy, the system of government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and national symbols. You need at least 15 correct answers (75%) to pass, and you get up to three attempts. The test does not separately assess your English or French ability; language is assessed through the proof you submit and through interactions with IRCC officials.
As with the language requirement, applicants who cannot take the test because of a disability or other qualifying circumstance may request an accommodation or a waiver.
Prohibitions and Bars to Citizenship
Certain circumstances make you temporarily or permanently ineligible for citizenship under the Citizenship Act, regardless of how long you have lived in Canada. You cannot become a citizen while you are:
- serving a term of imprisonment, on parole, or on probation in Canada, or serving a sentence outside Canada
- charged with, on trial for, or appealing a conviction for an indictable offence in Canada (or an equivalent offence committed abroad)
- under a removal order
- being investigated for, charged with, on trial for, appealing, or convicted of a war crime or a crime against humanity
You are also barred from applying if you had a citizenship application refused for misrepresentation within the past five years, or if your citizenship was revoked for fraud within the past ten years – revocation for fraud is a permanent bar; you can never resume citizenship lost this way. A conviction for an indictable offence in Canada, or an equivalent offence abroad, within the four years before you apply can also make you ineligible, even if you received a pardon. Permanent residents convicted of terrorism, treason, high treason, or spying offences, or who served with an armed force engaged in conflict with Canada, are likewise barred.
Anyone unsure whether a past conviction or ongoing legal matter affects their eligibility should speak with an immigration lawyer before applying. Our criminal inadmissibility overview explains how criminal history can affect immigration status more broadly, and protected persons can review our refugee protection page for how time as a protected person is credited toward citizenship.
Minors Applying for Citizenship
Children under 18 apply under one of two streams, and the requirements differ significantly from those for adults:
- Minor 5(2): for a child who has a Canadian parent, or whose parent is applying for citizenship at the same time. These minors do not need to meet the physical presence, tax filing, language, or test requirements.
- Minor 5(1): for a child who does not have a Canadian parent and is not applying alongside a parent. These minors must still meet the physical presence and, if applicable, the tax filing requirements, but not the language or test requirements.
Under both streams, a parent or legal guardian must sign the application, and the minor must also sign if 14 or older. If there is no one able to apply on a minor’s behalf under the 5(1) stream, a waiver of the signature requirement can be requested. A minor only needs to take the Oath of Citizenship if they are 14 years of age or older on the day the application is approved.
Citizenship Fees
As of the fee update that took effect on March 31, 2026, the fees to apply for a grant of Canadian citizenship are:
- Adult applicants (18+): a $530 processing fee plus a $123 Right of Citizenship Fee, for a total of $653
- Minor applicants (under 18): a single flat fee of $100, with no separate Right of Citizenship Fee
The Right of Citizenship Fee is charged only to adults and is refunded if your application is refused, withdrawn, or not approved for any reason. Fees are reviewed annually and can change, so confirm the current amount on the official IRCC fee schedule before paying.
Processing Times
Citizenship grant applications are generally processed within a service standard of 12 months, though actual times vary depending on application volumes and how quickly documents and any additional requests are completed. Because processing times are updated on a rolling basis, check IRCC’s official processing times tool for the current estimate before you apply, rather than relying on a fixed number.
The Oath of Citizenship
Once your application is approved, the final step is taking the Oath of Citizenship at a citizenship ceremony. Ceremonies are held either in person or virtually. At an in-person ceremony, you receive your citizenship certificate the same day; at a virtual ceremony, you receive it after the event once you have signed and returned your Oath or Affirmation of Citizenship form. Every ceremony includes reciting the oath and singing “O Canada.” Only applicants aged 14 or older are required to take the oath personally.
How to Apply
Once you have confirmed you meet each of the requirements above, you can apply online or by paper application, depending on your situation. In general, the process involves:
- Confirming your eligibility against each requirement described above
- Gathering supporting documents, including proof of your physical presence, language proof, and identity documents
- Paying the correct fee and submitting your application
- Completing the citizenship test and any required interview, if you are between 18 and 54
- Attending your citizenship ceremony and taking the Oath of Citizenship
For a full walkthrough of the application steps and required forms, see our guide on how to apply for Canadian citizenship. If you are exploring citizenship after arriving in Canada through economic immigration, our overview of immigrating to Canada and Canada immigration FAQ cover the pathways that typically lead to permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need to have lived in Canada to qualify for citizenship?
You must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the five years before you sign your application. Time spent in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person before becoming a permanent resident can count as half-days, up to a maximum of 365 days.
Do I need to file taxes to become a Canadian citizen?
Yes, if you were required to under Canadian tax law. You must have filed income tax returns for at least three of the five years immediately before you apply.
Who has to take the citizenship test and prove their language ability?
Applicants who are between 18 and 54 years old on the day they sign their application must pass the citizenship test and provide proof of English or French ability at Canadian Language Benchmark level 4 or higher. Applicants outside this age range are exempt from both requirements.
What can prevent me from qualifying for Canadian citizenship?
You cannot become a citizen while serving a prison sentence, on parole or probation, facing certain criminal charges, or under a removal order. A citizenship refusal for misrepresentation in the past five years, or a revocation of citizenship for fraud in the past ten years, also bars you from applying; revocation for fraud is a permanent bar.
How much does it cost to apply for Canadian citizenship?
As of March 31, 2026, an adult application costs $653 in total: a $530 processing fee plus a $123 Right of Citizenship Fee. A minor application costs a flat $100, with no Right of Citizenship Fee.
Do minors need to meet the same requirements as adult applicants?
No. A minor applying with a Canadian parent, or alongside a parent’s own application, does not need to meet the physical presence, tax filing, language, or test requirements. A minor applying without a Canadian parent must still meet the physical presence and tax filing requirements, but not the language or test requirements. Only minors aged 14 or older must take the Oath of Citizenship.