Guide CIT 0531 – Application for Canadian citizenship – Adults – Canadian Armed Forces under subsection 5(1)

Steps to Canadian Citizenship

• Overview
• Make sure you’re eligible
• Step 1. Gather Documents
• Step 2. Complete the Application
• Step 3. Pay the Fees
• Step 4. Submit the Application
• What happens next
• Appendix A – Name change
• Appendix B – Date of birth correction
• Appendix C – Change of gender designation
• Appendix D – Waiver request(s) and/or guardianship documents
• Need Help?

Make sure you’re eligible

Who may use this application?

• persons aged 18 years of age or older
• persons having met the service requirements in, or with, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF):
  • permanent residents (landed immigrants) of Canada who are, or were, serving in the CAF and who were honourably released, or
  • non-permanent residents who are, or were, attached or seconded to the CAF

Note: If you were released other than honourably from the Canadian Armed Forces, you are not eligible to apply under the Canadian Armed Forces application form. Consider applying under the Application for Canadian Citizenship under Subsection 5(1) – Adults if you meet the requirements for citizenship.

Citizenship service requirements

The Citizenship Act provides for an expedited access to citizenship for persons who are serving in, or have served in, the Canadian Armed Forces. The Act requires a person to have completed three (3) years of service in the six (6) years immediately before the date of the application.

What are the other requirements for citizenship?

You must:

If you are a permanent resident and have any outstanding terms and conditions linked to your Permanent Resident status, you may not be eligible for citizenship. For example, some new permanent residents are required to undergo medical screening after they arrive in Canada. Before applying for citizenship, you should review the documents provided to you when you first came to live in Canada as a permanent resident to ensure that you have met all of your terms and conditions.

You must not:

• be subject to any prohibition under the Citizenship Act (see section 8 of the application form CIT 0532), and/or
• be under a removal order (asked by Canadian officials to leave Canada).

Family applications

If more than one member of your family is applying for Canadian citizenship, send all the applications together in the same envelope. The applications will be processed together. If one or more family members’ applications are incomplete, ALL of the applications will be returned to you. Each family member applying must meet the requirements for citizenship based on the application type they submit.

If your spouse or common-law partner who is not a member of the Canadian Armed Forces wishes to apply for Canadian citizenship

They will need to complete the Application for Canadian Citizenship – Adults (CIT 0002) (PDF, 2.91 MB)

To apply for Canadian citizenship for your child

Complete the Application for Canadian Citizenship – Minors (CIT 0003) (PDF, 3.53 MB).

Possible loss of other citizenship

Important information: You could lose your present nationality or citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen. If you have any questions about this, you should contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country of your present nationality before you apply for Canadian citizenship.

Step 1. Gather documents

What documents are required?

The table below outlines the documents that you need to include with your application. Refer to the Document Checklist (CIT 0172) (PDF, 2.63 MB) to assist you in gathering the necessary documentation.

If any of the required documents are missing, or photocopies are not clear, your application will be returned to you.

1. Language requirements

All applicants 18-54 years of age must submit proof that demonstrates adequate knowledge of English or French (even if your first language is English or French). If you are 18-54 years of age and unable to demonstrate that you have the necessary English or French language ability due to a medical condition, this requirement may be waived. You must submit supporting evidence with your application.

If you do not have proof of language proficiency or the language level needed, you can take a government-funded language program to help you improve your language skills to get a certificate at a level of CLB/NCLC 4.

Canadian Language Benchmark/ Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens^{Footnote 1} level 4 is considered “Basic Proficiency” and means an individual can:

• take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics
• understand simple instructions, questions and directions
• use basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses and show that you know enough common words and phrases to answer questions and express yourself

1. Results from a third-party language test. Your language test result must be equal to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB/NCLC)^{footnote 1} level 4 or higher in speaking and listening skills. If you did the test in the past for immigration purposes or citizenship purposes, we will accept the results even if it has expired. Examples of third-party tests include:
   • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General test (CELPIP-G), (not the academic version). You must have achieved a score of:
     • 2H or higher (3L, 3H, 4L, 4H, 5 or 6) in speaking and listening; or
     • CELPIP-General LS – a two-skills (listening and speaking) version of the CELPIP general test You must have achieved a score of:2H or higher (3L, 3H, 4L, 4H, 5 or 6) in listening and speaking; or
   • International English Language Testing System (IELTS), general training, not the academic version. You must have achieved a score of:
     • 4.0 or higher in speaking, and
     • 4.5 or higher in listening. (If the test was done before November 28, 2008, we will accept a 4 or higher); or
   • Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF), Test d’Évaluation du Français adapté au Québec (TEFAQ) or TEF épreuves orales.
     • After July 1^st, 2012, you must have achieved a score of:
       • B1 or higher (B2, C1 or C2) in listening; and
       • B1 or higher (B2, C1 or C2) in speaking.
     • Before July 1^st, 2012, you must have achieved a score of:
       • Level 3 or higher (4, 5 or 6) in listening; and
       • Level 3 or higher (4, 5 or 6) in speaking.
   • The following list of proof will be accepted if they have been submitted for immigration purposes to Quebec (please note that the following tests align with the Échelle Québécoise and not officially with CLB/NCLC 4):
     • DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) – All results or
     • DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) – B1 or higher or
     • TCF (Test de connaissance du français) – B1 or higher or
     • TCFQ (Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec) – B1 or higher
2. You attended a secondary or post-secondary education program in English or French, either in Canada or abroad:
   • A degree, diploma, certificate or official transcripts from a secondary or post-secondary education program showing you studied in English or French, in Canada or abroad.
   • If the original document is in a different language, include:
     • a letter from the school showing that the language of instruction was in English or French along with
     • an official translation of the original document and
     • the address and contact information (phone number) of the education institution
3. Proof of achieving Canadian Language Benchmark/Niveau de competence linguistique canadien (CLB/NCLC) level 4 or higher in speaking and listening skills through certain government-funded language training programs are:
   • For Manitoba: Progress report from Manitoba government issued since January 2009. Ensure your report indicates speaking and listening skills are at least at “completing CLB/NCLC level 4” or higher.
   • For Quebec: Bulletins by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion du Québec (MIDI) (former department name), or the Ministère de l’Immigration et Communautés Culturelles (former department name) if:
     • The version was issued between June 1st 2011 and October 16, 2012. Ensure that your most recent assessment in “interaction orale” is level 4 or higher (Échelle Québécoise); or
     • The version was issued since October 16, 2012. Ensure that your most recent assessment is in “interaction orale” or “compréhension orale” (listening) and “production orale” (speaking) is level 4 or higher (Échelle Québécoise).

       Note: Bulletins with results from online FEL Francisation en ligne) classes are not acceptable for citizenship purposes, e.g. these usually have a course code B or FEL. Note that bulletins issued by the MIFI or the MICC align with the Échelle Québécoise and not officially with CLB/NCLC 4.

   • For British Columbia (BC):
     • If you received British Columbia’s English Language Services for Adults (ELSA) training in 2008 and 2009, an ELSA certificate confirming language level CLB 4 or higher.
     • If you received British Columbia’s English Language Services for Adults (ELSA) training since 2010, an ELSA report card or an ELSA certificate confirming language level CLB 4 or higher
   • For Ontario: Ontario Provincial Language Training Certificates dating from December 2013 or later, and issued by providers of the Adult Non-Credit Language Training Program funded by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and International Trade (MCIIT), formerly known as the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. Ensure your Ontario MCIIT Adult Non-Credit language training program certificate indicates achievement of level CLB/NCLC 4 or higher, in speaking and listening. These certificates must be for:
     • English as a Second Language (ESL) / Anglais langue seconde (ALS)
     • French as a Second Language (FSL) / Français langue seconde (FLS)
     • Citizenship and Language Training (CL) / Instruction civique et enseignement de la langue (ICEL)
   • For Nova Scotia: Submit a copy of the Proficiency in English Nova Scotia (PENS) learner certificate. It must show that your speaking and listening skills are at CLB level 4 or higher.
   • Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC or CLIC): Check the box if you successfully completed the course at CLB4/NCLC 4 or higher from January 2008 to October 31, 2012, and provide a copy of the certificate if available. If you successfully completed the LINC or CLIC course since November 1, 2012, a certificate will be provided to you. A copy of this certificate is required. Note that completion of LINC or CLIC before 2008 does not qualify for proof of language ability.

Format: Clear and legible photocopy. Must be in English or French. Foreign diplomas, certificates or transcripts must be translated if they are not in English or French. (See note above in section 2).

• If you are 18-54 years of age and unable to demonstrate that you have the necessary English or French language ability due to compassionate grounds, this requirement may be waived. You must submit supporting evidence with your application, including a completed Waiver Request Form [CIT 0116] (PDF, 2.16 MB). If you are requesting a waiver due to a medical condition, we recommend you also provide a Medical Opinion Form for Citizenship Waivers [CIT 0547] (PDF, 2.59 MB), filled out by a medical professional licensed to practice in Canada. You should also provide any additional documentation that we should consider with your waiver request.
  

  Compassionate grounds include medical and non-medical factors. Examples include (but are not limited to) evidence of

  • a severe medical condition that has lasted (or is expected to last) for at least 1 year, including
    • serious illness
    • physical or developmental disability
    • mental impairment
  • trauma due to
    • war
    • torture
    • living in a refugee camp
    • other similar circumstances
  • low levels of education or literacy in the first language (mother tongue)
  • other circumstances that may justify a waiver.
• Requesting a waiver does not guarantee it will be approved. They are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

2. Passport(s)/Travel Document(s)

Format: Clear and legible colour photocopy

3. Evidence of Service in the Canadian Armed Forces

Evidence of service in the CAF means the documents below that IRCC and the CAF have agreed are available to persons serving in or with the CAF.

If you are currently serving in the CAF, provide:

• a letter from your Commanding Officer that outlines your service history; and
• a photocopy of your Member’s Personnel Record Resume (MPRR).

If you have been released from the CAF, provide:

• a photocopy of your MPRR; and
• a photocopy of your Certificate of Service.

If you are attached or seconded to the CAF, provide:

• a letter from your Commanding Officer that outlines your service history; and
• a photocopy of your instructions/orders supporting attachment/secondment.

If you were previously attached or seconded to the CAF, provide:

• a photocopy of your instructions/orders supporting attachment/secondment.

The letter from your Commanding Officer must:

• be on official letterhead;
• state the date you enrolled in, or were attached or seconded to, the CAF;
• state the number of years and/or days of service; and
• include the Commanding Officer’s phone number and e-mail address for verification.

4. Two (2) pieces of personal identification

Both pieces of identification should show your name and date of birth, one of which must have your photo on it.

Examples include:

• a Canadian driver’s licence
• a copy of the biographical page of your passport/travel document
• military identification
• a foreign national identity document (for non-permanent residents only), etc.

If there is information on both sides of your personal identification documents, provide a photocopy of both sides.

Format: Clear and legible photocopy

5. Payment receipt

For more information. See Step 3. Pay the Fees

Receipt showing total payment of application fees for individual or family members applying together.

6. Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476) (as required)

For instructions on completing the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476), see: Guide 5561 – Instructions – Use of a Representative.

Format: Original

7. Additional documents (as required)

Possible documents are:

• translations of documents that are not in English or French
• supporting documents to prove a name change
• supporting documents to prove a date of birth correction
• Waiver Request Form [CIT 0116] (PDF, 2.16 MB)
• Medical Opinion Form for Citizenship Waivers [CIT 0547] (PDF, 2.59 MB)

Format: Clear and legible photocopy

Step 2. Complete the application

Filling out the application

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to complete the application form.

The following are the forms that must be filled out and submitted:

• Application for Canadian citizenship – Adults – Canadian Armed Forces under Subsection 5(1) [CIT 0532] (PDF, 2.9 MB)
• Use of a Representative (IMM 5476), if applicable

Optional:

• Request for a Change of Sex or Gender Identifier [IRM 0002] (PDF, 1.34 MB)
• Request to Correct a Date of Birth for a Permanent Resident Document or Citizenship Certificate [IRM 0003] (PDF, 2.4 MB)
• Waiver Request Form [CIT 0116] (PDF, 2.2 MB)
• Medical Opinion Form for Citizenship Waivers [CIT 0547] (PDF, 2.6 MB)

Be complete and accurate

Section 1

Question 1A

What is your preferred language for correspondence and interview? English or French?

Question 1B

Check the box to indicate if you have any special needs that require accommodation. If yes, please explain.

Some examples of special needs are:

• wheelchair access;
• sign language interpretation (for example, deaf individuals may have a sign language interpreter to assist with the assessment of “listening and speaking” ability;
• personal assistance (for example, you will be accompanied by a care attendant, an interpreter, a service animal, a sighted guide, etc.);
• materials in accessible formats (for example, the study guide is available in large print, audio version or Braille);
• If the special need is not listed, please explain in the space provided.

Note: It is important to provide the information if you need assistance in order for IRCC to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate you.

Section 2

Question 2

Have you applied for Canadian citizenship before? If yes, write the year when you last applied.

Section 3

Question 3A

Copy the Client ID# or Unique Client Identifier (UCI) exactly as it appears on your most recent immigration document. Immigration documents include:

• Work permit (IMM 1102 or IMM1442B
• Permanent Resident Card (PR card)
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)
• Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
  • If there is no client ID number listed, provide the document number located at the bottom right corner that begins with a W followed by 9 digits (Example: W 012 345 678)

Question 3B

Write your last name (surname/family name) and given name(s) exactly as they appear on your immigration document. If your name was shortened (truncated) on the immigration document, it will appear in full length on your citizenship certificate, up to 50 characters for the family name(s) and 50 characters for the given name(s).

Question 3C

Write your current last name (surname/family name) and given name(s), if different from question 3B.

Important information: You must provide supporting documents for any change in your name. See: “Name Change” in the Gather Documents section.

Question 3D

Write if you:

• have used another name in the past (such as your birth name, married name), or
• are known by a name other than the one you listed above (such as a nickname or community name).

Section 4

Question 4A

Write your:

• date of birth exactly as it appears on your immigration document (examples are noted in Question 3A above), and
• place of birth, including the city or town and country.

Are you requesting a different date of birth on your citizenship certificate?

If yes, see Date of birth correction section in this guide in Gather Documents.

Note: A request for a different date of birth is subject to approval by IRCC.

Question 4B

Check the box or indicate your:

• gender (whether you are F Female, M Male or X Another gender)
• height (how tall you are), either in centimeters or feet/inches
• eye colour, and
• legal marital status.

Important information: This information must be completed for our records. Gender, eye colour and height will be shown on your citizenship certificate.

Section 5

Question 5A

Write your current home address, complete with:

• street address
• city or town
• province or territory
• postal code

Question 5B

Complete if mailing address is different from home address.

If the mailing address is that of a representative, you must indicate their mailing address(es) in this section and complete the IMM 5476 form.

Question 5C

List the telephone number(s) where you can be reached.

Question 5D

Write how long you have lived at your current home address.

Question 5E

Indicate your e-mail address using this format (if applicable): name@provider.net

If you provide your e-mail address, IRCC may correspond with you about your application via e-mail if necessary.

If the e-mail address is that of a representative, you must indicate their e-mail address in this section and complete the IMM 5476 form.

Section 6

Question 6A

Check the box to indicate if you are a permanent resident (landed immigrant). If yes, write the date when you became a permanent resident (landed immigrant).

To find this date, refer to your:

• Record of Landing – IMM 1000
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence – IMM 5292
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence – IMM 5688
• Permanent Resident Card

Your entry to Canada and your status will be verified by Canadian officials.

If conditions were imposed at the time you were granted permanent resident status that you have not complied with, you should contact your local IRCC office to clarify this situation before applying for citizenship. You cannot be granted citizenship if you have unfulfilled (outstanding) conditions relating to your status as a permanent resident.

Question 6B

Write the date when you first came to Canada to live.

Question 6C

List all countries of which you are a citizen.

Question 6D

Write if you are a permanent resident (or the equivalent) of any country other than Canada.

If yes, list the country (countries) and the date(s) you obtained this status.

Question 6E

Write all your Canadian addresses for the six (6) years immediately before the date of your application, including the postal codes.

If you were residing, employed or attending school outside Canada, you must also list all your foreign addresses, including the postal codes.

Question 6F

1. Check the box to indicate if you are or were enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces during the six (6) years immediately before the date of your application. If yes, provide the details.
2. Check the box to indicate if you are or were attached or seconded to the Canadian Armed Forces during the six (6) years immediately before the date of your application. If yes, provide the details.
3. Check the box to indicate if you were released from the Canadian Armed Forces during the six (6) years immediately before the date of your application. If yes, provide the date of release and check the box to indicate the category of release.

   Note: Categories of release must be either

   • Other than honourable release (Item 1, Misconduct; Item 2, Unsatisfactory Service)
   • Honourable release (Item 3, Medical; Item 4, Voluntary; Item 5, Service Completed)
   • as set out in the Queen’s Regulation and Orders, Article 15.01 Release of Officers and Non-Commissioned Members.

Question 6G

Under the Income Tax Act

• you may need to file income tax returns for 3 taxation years
• these 3 years must be fully or partially within the 6 years before you apply for citizenship

Find out if you need to file your taxes

Check the box to indicate if you have a social insurance number (SIN), a temporary tax number (TTN) or an individual tax number (ITN).

If you check “Yes”

• Provide the most recent number that you used to file your income taxes (SIN, TTN or ITN).
• For the past 6 taxation years
  • write the years for which you needed to file personal income taxes
  • under Required to file column
    • check “Yes” if you needed to file your income tax that year.
    • check “No” if you didn’t need to file a tax return that year
  • under Taxes filed column
    • check “Yes” if you filed a tax return that year
    • check “No” if you didn’t file a tax return that year

With your consent, we’ll

• share your income tax filing information with the CRA
• use this information to check if you meet the income tax filing and physical presence requirements of the Citizenship Act

If you don’t provide your consent, we’ll return your application to you without processing it.

If you check “No”

You’re declaring that you don’t have a SIN, TTN or ITN.

To check your personal tax information, you may refer to the CRA’s My Account online.

Section 7

Question 7A

Check which type of language proof you are submitting. See Language Proof section in this guide in “Step 1. Gather Documents”

Question 7B

Check the box to indicate if you are deaf and whether this affects your ability to submit proof of language ability. You must submit supporting documentary evidence to assist decision makers in understanding the basis of your claim. See Language Proof section in this guide in “Step 1. Gather Documents”.

Question 7C

Check the box to indicate if you have a disorder, disability or condition that is cognitive, psychiatric or psychological in nature which affects your ability to submit proof of language ability. You must submit supporting documentary evidence to assist decision makers in understanding the basis of your claim.

Section 8

Question 8A-J

Answer all of the questions by checking "Yes" or "No". For any yes responses provide details and if applicable, attach court documents.

Note: IRCC checks with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) to find out if there are any criminal or security reasons which could prevent you from acquiring Canadian citizenship.

You may be required to provide fingerprints and/or court documents to ensure that you are not prohibited under the Citizenship Act.

Section 9

Section 10

Question 10A

Check either "Yes" or "No" to indicate whether you authorize IRCC to provide your name, address and preferred official language to your federal Member of Parliament so that they can send you a letter of congratulations if you become a Canadian citizen.

Question 10B

Check either "Yes" or "No" to indicate whether or not you authorize IRCC to provide your name, residential and mailing address, gender, date of birth, Unique Client Identifier (UCI) and the date your citizenship was granted to Elections Canada in order to add you to the National Register of Electors (the Register). When you become a Canadian citizen and are 18 years of age or older, you have the right to vote in federal elections and referendums. Elections Canada maintains the Register and uses it during a federal election or referendum to produce voters’ lists and to communicate with eligible voters.

The Canada Elections Act also allows Elections Canada to provide voter information to provincial and territorial election agencies for uses permitted under their respective legislations and to provide voter information (name, address, and gender only) to members of Parliament, registered political parties and candidates at election time. The UCI and the date your citizenship was granted will only be used by Elections Canada for administrative purposes, and will not be shared by Elections Canada except as required by law.

If you check "Yes", IRCC will provide your name, residential and mailing address, gender, date of birth, UCI and the date your citizenship was granted to Elections Canada in order to add you to the Register, but only after you become a Canadian citizen. If you check "No", IRCC will not provide your information to Elections Canada. You will still have the right to vote in federal elections and referendums, but you will have to take the necessary steps to be added to the list.

More information about the Register and its uses is available at Elections Canada. You can also call Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868.

Question 10C

If you are 18 years or older and reside in Québec, indicate whether you authorize IRCC to provide your name, residential address and the date at which you started to reside at that address, gender, date of birth, your Unique Client Identifier (UCI) and the date your citizenship was granted to the Chief Electoral Officer of Québec so that your name can be added to the Permanent List of Electors (voters) if you become a Canadian citizen.

Your application for citizenship will in no way be affected by your answer to this question.

The Election Act allows the Chief Electoral Officer of Québec to:

• provide voter information to provincial political parties and members of the National Assembly as well as municipal and school boards to compile and update lists of electors (voters) lists for municipal and school elections, and
• notify the elector in writing that their name has been entered on the permanent list of electors, requesting that the elector correct or complete the information which concerns them, where required.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Québec receives the UCI for administrative purposes only, while the date your citizenship was granted allows them to validate that you qualify as an elector based on the electoral laws it administers. This information is subject to no other use or communication.

If you do not provide this authorization, you will still be able to vote, but you will have to go to the revision office and present two supporting documents to register your name on the list of electors to be able to vote in a provincial, municipal or school election.

Question 10D

Check "Yes" box to authorize IRCC to contact the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) or the Department of National Defence (DND) to verify the details of your service and to use the information to determine your citizenship eligibility. By selecting "Yes" you are also authorizing the CAF or the DND to provide the details of your service to IRCC.

Question 10E

Subsection 8(1) of the Privacy Act and paragraph 241(5)(b) of the Income Tax Act allows the CRA to provide personal information to IRCC, with the consent of the relevant individuals.

This consent is required under paragraph 2(2)(d) of the Citizenship Regulations.

Check "Yes" box to authorize the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to provide details of your tax filing information to IRCC. By selecting "Yes" you are also authorizing IRCC to collect your tax filing information from the CRA in order to determine whether you meet the income tax requirement for citizenship.

Question 10F

This section is to be completed ONLY if you successfully completed LINC/CLIC language training program at CLB/NCLC 4 from January 2008-October 2012 and you have no certificate available.

Check "Yes" box to authorize IRCC to access your LINC/CLIC results in order to determine your citizenship eligibility.

If you choose "No", you will be required to submit alternate acceptable proof of language ability with your application.

Section 11

Question 11

If you appoint this person, firm or organization as your representative, you must complete the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476) (PDF, 0.26 MB). Note that once you appoint a representative, all correspondence from IRCC regarding your application will be directed to them and not to you.

For instructions on completing the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476), see: Guide 5561 – Instructions – Use of a Representative.

Section 12

Step 3. Pay the fees

You must pay your fees online (opens in a new tab) . If you have forgotten your password for the online payment system, you can reset it.

The fee is $630 for each applicant 18 years of age and older applying for Canadian citizenship.

Calculating your fees

If more than one member of your family is applying for Canadian citizenship pay the fees all together.

Use the table below to calculate the total amount of fees to be paid. The fee payment receipt must be included with this application.

Explanation of fees and refund

This section describes the fees that are required and if they are refundable. All payment must be made in Canadian funds.

Processing fee

Amount: $530 for each adult and $100 for each minor

You can’t get a refund of your processing fee once we start processing your application, even if you are refused. If you choose to withdraw your application, or abandon your application, you will only be refunded the Right of Citizenship fee.

Right of Citizenship Fee

Amount: $100 for each adult applicant

You will be refunded your right of citizenship fee if you don’t become a citizen.

The $100 Right of Citizenship Fee is in addition to the Processing Fee of $100 for a total of $200.

Step 4. Submit your application

Send your completed application to one of the following addresses:

Mail your completed application in a stamped envelope to the address shown below:

If you are sending more than one application

If you are sending more than one application (for example, applications for family members), you may send one receipt to cover all applications. Mail the receipt (if applicable) and all applications together in one envelope so that they will be processed together.

What happens next

Processing your application

The list below presents the phases of the Citizenship process of most applications. In some cases, processing may take longer.

Application review and file creation

The Case Processing Centre (CPC) in Sydney makes sure your application

• meets the minimum processing requirements;
• includes all the required documents;
• that the appropriate fee payment has been made.

If your application is complete, processing starts.

You will receive:

• acknowledgement of receipt;
• the citizenship study guide.

Your application will be returned if:

• it doesn’t meet the minimum processing requirements;
• doesn’t include the correct fee payment; and/or
• isn’t complete.

If returned, we send you a letter that explains why your application is incomplete and what the next steps are.

The letter will tell you:

• which forms, documents or fees are missing
• if you have to
  • refill the application form
    • if so, use the newest version of the form: Application for Canadian citizenship – Adults – Canadian Armed Forces under Subsection 5(1) [CIT 0532] (PDF, 2.92 MB)
    • sign and date the form
  • submit a new fee receipt
    • if the letter doesn’t ask for a new receipt, include the same receipt when you resubmit the application
  • resubmit any documents

Be sure to check the Document Checklist [CIT 0172] (PDF, 2.63 MB). Once you get the information we ask for in the letter, resubmit your complete application.

Prepare for your test

During the processing period, if you are between the ages of 18 and 54, you should:

• prepare for the citizenship test and/or interview on Canada’s history, geography, government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship based on the study guide and
• continue to maintain and improve your English or French if necessary.

If you have requested a waiver of the knowledge requirement (i.e., citizenship test), you will not be invited to the test. Instead, your waiver request will be assessed. You will only be invited to the citizenship test if you knowledge waiver request is denied.

If we invite you to an interview, test, and/or hearing, your invitation will tell you what to bring.

If applicable, you will be tested on your knowledge of:

• English or French
• Canada’s history, geography, government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship (the citizenship test).

We will send you one or more of these notices:

• Notice to appear to take a citizenship test
• Notice to appear for an interview with a citizenship official
• Notice to appear for a hearing with a citizenship officer or a citizenship judge

Decision

Take the oath

If you meet all the requirements for citizenship, the IRCC office notifies you of the time and place of your citizenship ceremony.

What you receive:

• Notification to appear to take the oath of citizenship
• Certificate of Canadian citizenship received at the ceremony after taking the oath of citizenship

If you are unable to understand the significance of taking the oath of citizenship due to mental disability, you can request a waiver. To request an oath waiver, please provide a Medical Opinion Form for Citizenship Waivers [CIT 0547] (PDF, 2.59 MB), filled out by a medical professional licensed to practice in Canada. You should also provide any additional documentation that we should consider with your waiver request.

• Requesting a waiver does not guarantee it will be approved. Waiver requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

While your application is in process, you must tell us if you change your address, e-mail address, or telephone number. Use the Change your address tool to give us your new contact information.

If you do not notify us of any change in your contact information, and we can’t reach you, your application could be abandoned or closed.

Remember, Canada Post’s Mail Forwarding Service does not forward parcels and a citizenship application package is considered a parcel.

Protecting your information

Your personal information:

• is only available to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (IRCC) and Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) employees who need to see it in order to provide the services to you,
• may be shared, with your consent, with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the purposes of validating your tax filing information; and
• is not disclosed to anyone else except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Citizenship Regulations.

Note: The legal authority for IRCC to collect income tax information including filing history and the Social Insurance Number (SIN) is provided for in subsections 5(1.2) of the Citizenship Act, subsection 26.6 of the Citizenship Regulations and paragraph 2(2)(d) of the Citizenship Regulations No.2. The CRA’s legal authority to disclose income tax information including filing history upon applicant consent is provided for in paragraph 241(5)(b) of the Income Tax Act. Income tax information including filing history provided by the CRA to IRCC may be used to verify a citizenship applicant’s income tax information including filing history for the purpose of assessing their citizenship application against the tax filing requirement of subsection 5(1.2) of the Citizenship Act. IRCC may, on occasion, send information pertaining to a citizenship application to the CRA in respect of any relevant information related to any discrepancies between the information obtained from the applicant and that provided by the CRA if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the discrepancy is a result of false representation, fraud or concealment of material circumstances made in the course of an application, as well as any personal information, including the SIN, of an applicant that the CRA is authorized to collect for the purpose of the administration of the Income Tax Act. IRCC will not use this information for any other purpose or share it with any other third party.

For more information. You can obtain additional information on the protection of your data by visiting the Help Centre.

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