Apply for citizenship: Who can apply
Eligibility
To become a Canadian citizen, you must
Check your eligibility
Answer some questions to help you find out if you’re ready to apply for citizenship.
These questions are only for adults (age 18 and over) who want to apply for citizenship.
Check your eligibilityThere are additional or different requirements if you are:
- applying for a minor (under age 18)
- a Canadian applying for your adopted child born outside Canada
- a current or former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member applying under the fast-track process
- a past Canadian citizen who want your Canadian citizenship back (including current and former CAF members)
Spouses of Canadian citizens
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).
Children and grandchildren of Canadian citizens
If you have a Canadian parent or grandparent, you may be a Canadian citizen.
- See if you may be a Canadian citizen
- To find out for sure, apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate
Permanent resident status
Regardless of your age, if you’re applying for citizenship, you must have permanent resident (PR) status in Canada.
This means you must not:
- be under review for immigration or fraud reasons
- be asked by Canadian officials to leave Canada (removal order)
- have unfulfilled conditions related to your PR status, for example: medical screening
Before applying for citizenship, you should review the documents you received when you became a permanent resident to make sure you’re eligible.
You don’t need a valid PR card to apply for citizenship. You can apply with an expired PR card.
Time you’ve lived in Canada (physical presence)
You (and some minors, if applicable) must have been physically in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) during the 5 years before the date you sign your application.
We encourage you to apply with more than 1,095 days of living in Canada in case there’s a problem with the calculation.
In your calculation, you may be able to include some of the time you spent
- in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person
- outside Canada if you were a Crown servant or a family member of a Crown servant.
Filing income tax
You may need to file taxes in Canada for at least 3 years during the 5 years right before the date you apply.
Find out if you need to file your taxes
Language skills
If you’re between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you must show that you have an adequate knowledge of English or French. This means you can
- take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics
- understand simple instructions, questions and directions
- use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses
- show you know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself
These speaking and listening skills are equivalent to level 4 of the
- Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English, or
- Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French
We measure your language skills by
- reviewing the language proof you send with your application
- noting how well you speak when talking to a citizenship official anytime during the application process
- assessing your language level during a citizenship test with a our official, if necessary
We accept various certificates, diplomas and tests as proof of your language skills.
Get a language accommodation or waiver (exemption)
You may be in a situation where you need
- help with the language requirement (accommodation) or
- an exemption from it (waiver)
Accommodation
If you need help with the language requirement, you can request an accommodation. For example, you can get sign language interpretation when we assess your language skills at a language hearing.
Learn more about accommodations
Waiver (exemption)
If your situation prevents you from proving your language skills, you can request a waiver (exemption) instead.
- Your situation must meet the waiver criteria.
- If we approve your waiver request, you don’t need to prove your language skills.
Check the language proof we accept
Pass a citizenship test
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
We’ll invite you to the test after you submit your application.
Get a test accommodation or waiver (exemption)
You may be in a situation where you need
- help with the test (accommodation) or
- an exemption from taking it (waiver)
Accommodation
If you need help with the test, you can request an accommodation. For example, we can
- provide a Braille, large-print or oral version of the test
- give you extra time to complete the test
- arrange to have you take the test in person (if you can’t take test online due to poor Internet connection)
Learn more about accommodations
Waiver (exemption)
If your situation prevents you from taking the test, you can request a waiver (exemption) instead.
- Your situation must meet the waiver criteria.
- If we approve your waiver request, you don’t need to take the test.
Learn more about the citizenship test
Take the oath of citizenship
You must take the oath of citizenship if
- you’re at least 14 years old when you sign your application and
- we approve your application
Get an oath accommodation or waiver (exemption)
You may be in a situation where you need
- help with the oath (accommodation) or
- an exemption from taking it (waiver)
Accommodation
If you need help with the oath of citizenship, you can request an accommodation. For example, you can get sign language interpretation when you take the oath.
Learn more about accommodations
Waiver (exemption)
We’ll give a waiver only if a mental disability (like an intellectual or a developmental disability) prevents someone from understanding the oath.
- For example, they don’t understand that taking the oath makes them a Canadian citizen.
- If we approve the waiver request, the applicant doesn’t need to take the oath of citizenship.
Learn more about taking the oath of citizenship
Prohibitions
If you committed a crime in or outside Canada
- you may not be eligible to become a Canadian citizen for a period of time
- time spent serving a term of imprisonment, on parole, or on probation doesn’t count as time you’ve lived in Canada
Find out about situations that may prevent you from becoming a Canadian citizen:
- If you’re not sure whether the situations apply to you, contact your lawyer or arresting police officer.
- Wait until the situation no longer applies before you apply for citizenship.
- We’ll review your application on a case-by-case basis.
Top questions about Canadian citizenship
- What are the requirements for becoming a Canadian citizen?
- I already have a citizenship application in process. How will the 2017 changes to the citizenship legislation affect my application?
- Do I become a Canadian when I marry a Canadian?
- How much does it cost to apply for Canadian citizenship?
- I am a citizen of another country. Will I lose that citizenship if I become a Canadian?
Related links
Application form
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