Application for Canadian Citizenship: Adults - Subsection 5(1) CIT 0002

Applications received at our Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Sydney, NS March 1, 2021 or later must use forms from October 2020 or later (indicated on the lower left corner of the form). Application forms that are not up-to-date will be returned as incomplete. IRCC does not consider the date of signatures or mailing to be deciding factors.

Eligibility

This form for an application under subsection 5(1) is intended primarily for permanent residents aged 18 and over who want to apply for Canadian citizenship.

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you:

must be 18 years of age or older on the day you sign the application
must be a permanent resident (landed immigrant) of Canada
must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the 5 years immediately before you apply
may need to file personal income taxes for at least 3 years within the 5-year period
- Find out if you need to file your taxes
must demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French (if you are between 18 and 54 years old when you apply)
must demonstrate you have knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship (if you are between 18 and 54 years old when you apply - this is assessed after you apply)
can’t have any unfulfilled conditions relating to your permanent resident status
can’t be under a removal order (asked by Canadian officials to leave Canada)
can’t be inadmissible or prohibited on criminal or security grounds

Use this tool to check if you’re eligible to apply.

If you are not sure whether you have Canadian citizenship or not, see if you may already be a citizen.

Application Package

Most applicants can now apply online to become a Canadian citizen.

Travel journal

Record your trips outside Canada. It will help you calculate your physical presence in Canada.

The application package includes an instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out.

The application package includes:

If required:

Prepare a complete application

To make sure you submit all the pages of the application form with your application package, follow these steps:

Click the “Validate” button at the top or bottom of the form.
Note: Validating the form before printing makes sure that you have answered all the questions. This will help you to avoid delays in processing your application.
A last page with barcodes will automatically be created.
Print and sign the form.
Note: For best results print on white, bond-quality, non-glossy paper using a laser printer.
Place the barcode page on top of your package. If you have more than one package, place a separate barcode page on each one.

Find out more about the barcode form.

Get help to open an application form or to fill one out in the Help Centre.

Track your application

If you submit a paper application, we recommend that you use a postal or courier service with a tracking number to ensure you get proof that your application was delivered to the IRCC office.

Find out how to check if your application has been received