Canadian Citizenship: How to Become a Canadian Citizen

Thinking of receiving Canadian citizenship, or perhaps you wonder if you meet the eligibility criteria? Canada is one of the largest countries with the lowest population density, but becoming a citizen is a daunting task with various procedures.

To be eligible for citizenship in Canada, you must first become a permanent resident and physically remain in the country. You also need to meet other requirements, such as learning one or both of Canada’s official languages, passing a citizenship test, and filing your income taxes for at least three years within a five-year period before the date you apply.

In this guide, we will show you how to prepare for the citizenship certificate and the application process, including all the forms, fees, and processing times.

Read more about:

• What are the requirements for Canadian citizenship?
• What are the main pathways to Canadian citizenship?
• Benefits of Canadian Citizenship
• How to apply for Canadian citizenship?
• Canadian Citizenship Application Process
• What is the Canadian citizenship processing time?

What are the requirements for Canadian citizenship?

Canadian citizenship combines elements of permanent residence and physical presence. Most adult applicants are 18 years or older and meet the language requirements for English or French, based on the province or territory they are interested in. They are then required to pass a citizenship test and take an oath of citizenship. Here is a detailed list of the eligibility criteria.

Permanent Resident (PR) status

The path to Canadian citizenship starts when you become a permanent resident (PR). This legal status gives you the right to enter Canada, live, and work anywhere in the country for as long as you maintain your PR status. The best part is that you can keep your original citizenship while you remain a permanent Canadian resident.

If you were born outside Canada, you can apply for PR through various immigration pathways, such as Express Entry, Start-up Visa, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and family sponsorship. PRs share many privileges as Canadian citizens, such as healthcare coverage, employment benefits, and free public education. Unlike citizens, permanent residents cannot participate in elections to vote or hold public office.

Physical presence in Canada

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must physically live in the country for at least 1,095 days, which is essentially three years out of five years, before you sign your application. Every day you spend in Canada as a permanent resident counts as one full day. Whereas, every day spent in the country as a temporary resident (visitor visa, work permit, or study permit), or protected person, counts as half a day, up to 365 days.

File your income taxes

After you become a permanent resident, you must do your taxes in Canada. The Canadian government requires three years of tax returns before you apply for citizenship. It is best to keep your records and provide supporting documents proving you’ve filed territorial or provincial income taxes.

Language skills

To apply for a citizenship, the government of Canada requires applicants between 18 and 54 with language skills in either English or French. The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) sets the language requirements for Canadian citizenship across provinces.

You need evidence of language proficiency, such as a diploma, transcript, or IRCC-approved language test. Officials will use the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) to check how well they can speak or listen based on the chosen language. For example, Quebec immigration programs often require a CLB 7 or higher, while Saskatchewan immigration programs may require a CLB 4 in English or French.

Pass a Canadian citizenship test

To become a Canadian citizen, you must pass a citizenship test. Wondering what happens on test day? You get a quiz that consists of 20 questions and multiple-choice, true or false answers. It lasts about 45 minutes and covers basic information about Canada’s economy, history, political structure, and the symbol of the government.

To pass the test, you need to provide accurate answers for 15 out of 20 questions, which is 75 percent. You can use the “Discover Canada” official study guide to prepare for the citizenship test and find the correct answers. The test itself is online, and if you pass it, you may need to go to the interview to verify your documents.

You get three chances to pass the Canadian citizenship test. If you fail, the immigration officials can invite you to a hearing. If you go to the interview and pass the hearing, they will continue to process your application. But if you fail the hearing, your application will be rejected. You must reapply and pay the fees again to meet the basic Canadian citizenship eligibility.

Take an Oath of Citizenship

To become a Canadian citizen, you must attend the citizenship ceremony. Here is what happens at the ceremony: you take an oath of citizenship, sing an anthem, receive a Canadian citizenship certificate, and become a legal citizen, regardless of your previous nationality.

What are the main pathways to Canadian citizenship?

There are three main ways to obtain citizenship in Canada. You can become a legal citizen by birth, descent, or naturalization. Here is a more detailed look at each of them.

Canadian citizenship by birth

The Canadian Citizenship Act determines that a child born in Canada to a Canadian parent receives automatic citizenship. The Citizenship Act states that a child born in Canada to Canadian parents is a citizen by birth. A birth certificate is usually enough to prove eligibility, but people can also apply for a citizenship certificate.

Canadian citizenship by descent

Canadian citizenship by descent means that a person born abroad is eligible for Canadian citizenship because one or both parents are Canadian citizens. The Citizenship Act limits citizenship by descent to the first generation born abroad, as long as the parent hasn’t renounced their citizenship.

As of June 2024, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-71, which, if passed (and it’s currently moving through Parliament as of July 2025), would extend citizenship by descent beyond the first generation born abroad under certain conditions, mainly if the Canadian parent has a “substantial connection” to Canada.

Canadian citizenship by naturalization

The naturalization process allows eligible immigrants to become Canadian citizens. Foreigners can obtain citizenship upon becoming permanent residents.

Applicants born outside Canada can receive a Canadian citizenship card after meeting specific requirements, such as having been physically in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) during the five years before the date they sign the application.

Foreign nationals must be permanent residents, provide the necessary identification documents, and pass the citizenship test to qualify for the naturalization process.

Benefits of Canadian Citizenship

The benefits of Canadian citizenship are increasingly sought after due to the high travel mobility, healthcare system, social assistance, quality of life, and desirable business setting. These advantages include:

• Affordable healthcare – The government of Canada covers about 70% of healthcare costs. Most essential and emergency medical care is free for Canadian citizens, with minor out-of-pocket costs.
• Path to dual citizenship – Canadian citizens can have multiple citizenships without renouncing their former nationality status.
• Global travel – A valid Canadian passport provides extensive global mobility and visa-free access to many countries, including the Schengen Area. It ranks 14th on the Global Citizen Solutions Passport Index in terms of mobility, investment, and quality of life.
• High quality of life – Canada has a high standard of living with low unemployment rates.
• Cheaper tuition – College and university fees are lower for Canadian citizens and permanent residents than for foreign nationals.
• Family sponsorship – A Canadian citizen can sponsor a family member, grandchild, niece, or nephew to immigrate to Canada and receive citizenship Canada. Canadian passport holders can also sponsor a first-generation descendant born outside Canada.
• Social assistance – Canadian citizens receive social assistance, while non-residents cannot, regardless of citizenship status. Social assistance covers basic needs like food, utilities, clothing, shelter, and housing supplies. These Canadian citizenship benefits make the Citizenship certificate valuable for low-income families.
• Civic duties and privileges – Canadian citizens can vote in local, territorial, provincial, and federal elections and run for political office.

How to apply for Canadian citizenship?

To apply for Canadian citizenship, you must submit your application to the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada). After you become a citizen, you are eligible for a Canadian passport. The application process for citizenship takes about 10 months to complete, and you often need to attend an interview and take a citizenship test on Canadian history, culture, and legal framework.

The required documents for Canadian citizenship vary depending on the grounds for qualification, but in most cases, the Canadian government requires:

• Original printout of your citizenship application form.
• Color photocopy of your travel documents or passport.
• Photocopy of two pieces of personal identification, like your identification document (ID), driver’s license, senior citizen identification card, health insurance card, etc.
• Proof of permanent residence.
• Two citizenship photos.
• Authorized documents that determine English or French language proficiency.
• Receipt of paid application fees.

Canadian Citizenship Application Process

What is the Canadian citizenship processing time?

Canadian citizenship processing time varies but often takes 10 months. You first wait a couple of months to receive a decision on your application, then another few months to receive your citizenship. If you are applying for a minor located outside the country, the processing time can last six to eight months or longer.

The average processing times include:

• Five months for a Canadian citizenship certificate.
• 10 months for a citizenship grant.
• seven months for a renunciation of citizenship.
• 15 months for a search of citizenship records.

Other factors can cause delays, such as background checks, incomplete forms, interview scheduling, etc.

Immigration specialists at Global Citizen Solutions can prepare the Citizenship application forms, fees, and processing guidelines. Our team ensures you provide all the paperwork to avoid delays. They can track your application and inform you if the rules and requirements changed.

Special Cases for Canadian citizenship

There are specific criteria for becoming a legal Canadian citizen that apply to minors and refugees.

Citizenship for children born abroad

Children born to Canadian parents can become citizens of Canada by descent. To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, at least one of the biological parents must have been a Canadian citizen at the time of their birth. Currently, the first-generation limit on citizenship under the Citizenship Act states that citizenship cannot be passed down to second-generation children born abroad.

Exceptions to the first-generation limit include children whose parents or grandparents:

• Served in the Canadian Armed Forces and lived in a foreign country.
• Worked in the public service of a territory or province under Canadian jurisdiction.
• Worked in the federal public administration.

Citizenship for adopted children

To provide Canadian citizenship to an adopted child, at least one of the adoptive parent must be a Canadian citizen, and the adopted child cannot already be a citizen. The first-generation limit to citizenship applies to adopted children, unless a Canadian adoptive parent served as a Crown servant abroad at the time of the adoption.

The adopted child doesn’t need to become a permanent resident or pass a citizenship test. The Citizenship Act includes Section 5.1, which allows adopted children a direct grant of citizenship. The adoptive parent must first file Form CIT 0010 to confirm they are a Canadian citizen, and Form CIT 0012 to assess the adopted child’s eligibility for Canadian citizenship.

Refugee citizenship in Canada

Refugees in Canada must first apply for a “protected persons” status, and then apply for permanent residency. After they get a PR and maintain the requirements for the time spent in Canada, file their taxes, pass a citizenship test, and attend a citizenship ceremony celebrate Canada, they become legal citizens.

What is the fee to apply for Canadian citizenship?

The Canadian citizenship fees varies based on your age. The application fee for an adult is $649.75, and $100 per minor. Search for citizenship records costs about $75, a citizenship certificate costs $75, and to renounce citizenship, you would pay $100. The payment receipt is the same whether you fill out a physical form or apply online. The table below provides all the application fees in Canadian dollars.

Note: These fees are subject to change based on inflation and the costs of processing applications.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Canadian Citizenship

How to get Canadian citizenship?

To get citizenship, you would have to apply for permanent residence through one of Canada’s immigration programs and relocate there. It takes three years of residence, passing a language test, paying taxes, and taking a citizenship test.

How do you qualify as a Canadian citizen?

To qualify for Canadian citizenship, you must be a permanent resident, have lived there for three years (or 1,095 days) within the last five years. You also need to file your taxes during your stay and prove you have sufficient English or French language skills. Finally, you pass the citizenship test and take your Oath of Citizenship.

What is the pass mark for the Canadian citizenship test?

The passing mark is 75%, which means you need to answer 15 out of the 20 questions correctly. You can take the test three times, and if you fail, the IRCC can schedule a hearing that includes questions similar to those on the citizenship test.

How can I prepare for the Canadian citizenship test?

To prepare for the citizenship test, read the official study guide “Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship”. This rulebook is published by the IRCC and includes all the government laws, history, services, and information you need to know to pass the test with flying colors.

Can I become a Canadian citizen if I am a US citizen?

Yes, as a US citizen, you can become a Canadian citizen. The process is the same for any foreign national:

• You become a permanent resident
• Meet the physical stay requirement
• Pay your taxes
• Prove your language skills
• Pass the citizenship test
• Take your Oath of Citizenship

Does Canada allow dual citizenship?

Yes, Canada allows you to have multiple citizenships without losing your Canadian citizenship. Whether or not you need to renounce your previous citizenship depends on the rules and regulations set by the government in your home country.

Is it hard to get citizenship in Canada?

It can be tough for some foreign nationals because the Canadian government is very strict about approving applicants for permanent residency. Recent statistics show significant immigrant backlogs and pending applications for various immigration categories, especially the Express Entry, Start-up Visa, and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Do I need to live in Canada to get citizenship after PR?

Yes, even after you become a permanent resident, you still need to live in Canada to get citizenship. This is one of the main requirements, which requires a physical presence for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the five years before you apply for citizenship.

How to get a Canadian passport?

After you get the Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, you can use it to apply for a Canadian passport through Service Canada. You fill out the application form, collect the necessary documents, and submit the application via mail or in person.

Can a stateless person born to a Canadian parent become a Canadian citizen?

Yes, a stateless person born to a Canadian parent can become a Canadian citizen under specific provisions of the Citizenship Act. Stateless people born outside Canada to a Canadian parent under 23 years who meet the physical presence in Canada and can prove they were always stateless can qualify for citizenship.

Can I get Canadian citizenship by marriage?

No, even if you are the spouse of a Canadian citizen, you don’t automatically receive citizenship. You still have to follow all the processes and apply for citizenship, often through naturalization. Your spouse can sponsor you for Canadian immigration, which would be the first step to becoming a permanent resident.

What is the cost of applying for Canadian citizenship?

The application fees vary between adults and children. The citizenship fee for adults is $649.75, which includes the processing and right of citizenship fee. For minors the application costs $100 for the processing fee.

How to renounce your Canadian citizenship?

To give up your Canadian citizenship, you must apply to the IRCC and prove you are a citizen of another country or will become a citizen of another country right after renouncing your citizenship. You must be 18 years or older and pay a $100 fee to submit the application package.

How to organize a reaffirmation ceremony for Canadian citizenship?

It takes about a week to organize a reaffirmation ceremony, where you choose a venue, a Master of Ceremonies, and a reaffirmation certificate. This ceremony is a symbolic event where someone who is already a Canadian citizen repeats their Oath of Citizenship. People often organize the ceremony to celebrate Canada Day.

Have rules and requirements changed for Canadian citizenship?

Canada’s citizenship rules have indeed changed, especially regarding those born outside Canada to Canadian parents. Although the Citizenship Act includes a first-generation rule, there is a proposed bill (Bill C-3) looking to expand citizenship by descent to the second generation. The IRCC also updated the requirements for residency and tax filing.