Canadian Citizenship
Canadian Citizenship Services
Professional Guidance for Becoming a Canadian Citizen
Canadian citizenship represents full membership in the Canadian community with rights including voting in federal elections, running for political office, and obtaining a Canadian passport. Becoming a Canadian citizen requires meeting specific eligibility requirements including permanent resident status, physical presence in Canada, language proficiency, knowledge of Canada, and income tax compliance. We provide comprehensive citizenship application support to help permanent residents navigate the requirements and prepare strong applications.
As Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants, we ensure your application meets all IRCC standards and maximizes your chances of approval.
Eligibility Requirements for Adults
Permanent Resident Status
All applicants must have valid permanent resident status in Canada. This means you must not have a removal order or unfulfilled conditions related to your PR status. You can apply with a valid or expired PR card.
Before applying, check that you have not lost your PR status. If you are not a PR anymore, IRCC would have sent a letter confirming the loss of your status, or a Canada Border Services Agency agent would have told you when travelling abroad.
You can apply for citizenship if you are under review for immigration or fraud reasons, but IRCC may not process your application while you are still under review.
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. The eligibility period is five years before the date you sign your application and must include at least 730 days as a permanent resident.
IRCC encourages applicants to apply with more than the minimum requirement of 1,095 days of physical presence to account for any miscalculations of absences or any other aspect that could lower the physical presence total below 1,095 days. You cannot meet the physical presence requirement without a minimum of two years as a permanent resident.
Counting Time as a Temporary Resident
Each day as a temporary resident or protected person during your eligibility period counts as 0.5 days of physical presence in Canada. You can use a maximum of 365 days of physical presence as a temporary resident or protected person, which is equal to 730 calendar days.
A temporary resident is someone with valid status to stay in Canada as a visitor, student, worker, or temporary resident permit holder. A protected person is someone who received approval on their refugee or asylum claim or pre-removal risk assessment application.
Time Outside Canada as Crown Servant
Each day employed outside Canada as a Crown servant or as their family member counts as one day of physical presence in Canada. A Crown servant is a person employed in or with the Canadian Armed Forces, the federal public administration, or the public service of a province or territory.
Time That Does Not Count
The eligibility period does not include time in prison, on parole, on probation, or the time you wait for a decision on a refugee claim.
Income Tax Filing Requirement
You may need to file taxes in Canada for at least three years during the five years right before the date you apply. You must tell IRCC in your online or paper application if you had to file your taxes and whether you actually filed your taxes or not.
Language Proficiency
If you are between 18 and 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you must show that you have 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, and 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 for English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens for French. IRCC measures your language skills by reviewing the language proof you send with your application, noting how well you speak when talking to a citizenship official at any time during the application process, and assessing your language level during a citizenship test with an official if necessary.
Citizenship Test Requirement
If you are 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 and Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols. IRCC will invite you to the test after you submit your application
The citizenship test consists of 20 multiple-choice or true-false questions with a 45-minute time limit. You must answer at least 15 out of 20 questions correctly to pass, which is 75 percent. The test is available in English or French. Since the pandemic, the citizenship test moved to an online format taken from your own computer at home. You must be present in Canada during the test, and a webcam is required for identity verification. You have three chances to pass the test.
All questions are based on the official study guide "Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship". Applicants aged 18 to 54 must take the test. Applicants under 18 years old and applicants 55 years and older are exempt from the test.
Oath of Citizenship
You must take the oath of citizenship at the citizenship ceremony if you are at least 18 years old and IRCC approves your application.
No Prohibitions
IRCC will not approve your citizenship application if you are under a prohibition. Most prohibitions are due to criminal and security reasons inside and outside Canada. Before applying, wait until the situation no longer affects your eligibility. Time spent serving a term of imprisonment, on parole, or on probation does not count as time in Canada.
Eligibility Requirements for Minors
Two Application Processes for Minors
Depending on their parents, a minor can apply through the minor 5(2) or 5(1) process.
Minor 5(2) Process
You need to apply under this process if the minor has a Canadian parent or a parent who is applying for citizenship at the same time. To apply for the minor, you must be their parent (biological or adoptive) or legal guardian.
Applicants must be permanent residents, take the oath of citizenship if they are 14 to 17 years old, and not be under a prohibition.
Minor 5(1) Process
You need to apply under this process if the minor does not have a Canadian parent or a parent who is applying for citizenship at the same time. To apply for the minor, you must be someone who has custody of the minor or can legally act on their behalf. You do not have to be a Canadian citizen.
Applicants must be permanent residents, have at least 1,095 days of physical presence during their five-year eligibility period, have filed income taxes if needed, take the oath of citizenship if they are 14 to 17 years old, and not be under a prohibition.
Exemptions and Accommodations
Automatic Exemptions
Certain applicants are automatically exempt from specific requirements and do not need to request a waiver:
- Adults aged 55 and above do not need to prove their language skills or take the citizenship test
- All minors under 18 do not need to prove their language skills or take the citizenship test
- Minors under 14 do not need to take the oath of citizenship
Accommodations
If you need help to meet a requirement for accessibility or other reasons, you can request an accommodation. Examples include sign language interpretation, Braille or large-print versions of the test, extra time to complete the test, or arranging to take the test in person if you cannot take it online due to poor internet connection.
Waiver Requests
If your situation prevents you from meeting a requirement, you can request a waiver. If IRCC approves your waiver request, you do not need to meet that requirement.
Adult applicants aged 18 and above can request a waiver for proving language skills, taking the citizenship test (if 18 to 54 years old), or taking the oath of citizenship. Minors between 14 and 17 years old can request a waiver for the oath of citizenship only.
Recent Changes to Citizenship Law
Bill C-3: Elimination of First-Generation Limit
On December 15, 2025, new legislation came into force that eliminated the first-generation limit to citizenship by descent. Previously, citizenship by descent was generally limited to the first generation born outside Canada.
Under the new rules, individuals born outside Canada with at least one Canadian grandparent may now be eligible for Canadian citizenship. This change affects thousands of individuals who were previously ineligible due to the first-generation limit.
If you were born outside Canada and believe you may be a Canadian citizen through a Canadian parent or grandparent, you may need to apply for a citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) rather than apply for citizenship as a permanent resident. Processing time for citizenship certificates is currently 10 months.
Required Documents
Core Application Documents
- Completed citizenship application form (CIT 0002 for adults or CIT 0003 for minors)
- Proof of permanent residency such as PR card or record of landing
- Valid identification documents including passport or travel documents
- Two passport-sized photographs meeting IRCC specifications
- Fee payment receipt
Physical Presence Calculation
- Completed physical presence calculation using the online calculator in your IRCC account or the CIT 0407 form
- Detailed records of all absences from Canada during the five-year eligibility period
- Copies of all passport pages showing stamps, visas, and travel history
Language Proof
If you are between 18 and 54 years old, you must include acceptable language proof. This may include language test results, transcripts from Canadian secondary or post-secondary institutions where instruction was in English or French, or other accepted evidence of language proficiency.
Income Tax Documentation
- Notices of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency for the relevant tax years
- Proof of filing or explanation if you were not required to file taxes
Additional Documents
All documents not in English or French must be translated by a certified translator, and you must include both the original document and the translation.
How YCI Canada Helps
Eligibility Assessment
We evaluate your permanent resident status, calculate your physical presence in Canada during the five-year eligibility period, and assess whether you meet all requirements including income tax filing, language proficiency, and citizenship test eligibility. We use the official IRCC physical presence calculator to ensure accuracy and identify any potential gaps or concerns in your calculation. We review your travel history and advise whether you should wait to accumulate additional days before applying to ensure a buffer above the minimum 1,095-day requirement.
Preparation and Review
We provide a customized document checklist based on your age and circumstances. We review all supporting documents including proof of permanent residency, identification documents, travel history records, language proof, and income tax documentation to ensure they meet IRCC standards. We organize materials in a logical sequence addressing all requirements and verify that your physical presence calculation is accurate and supported by your travel records. For applicants requiring accommodations or waivers, we prepare supporting documentation and requests.
Application Management
We manage the complete process from submission through oath ceremony. This includes accurate completion of all application forms, compilation of comprehensive documentation packages, and online or paper submission as appropriate. Throughout processing, we monitor your application status and respond promptly to any IRCC requests for additional information. We provide guidance for the citizenship test preparation, advise on what to expect at the citizenship ceremony, and keep you informed of progress at every stage until you take the oath of citizenship.
Citizenship Fee Structure
All fees are discussed and confirmed in writing before we begin work on your file. You will receive a comprehensive service agreement outlining the exact scope of services, fees, payment schedule, and any potential additional costs. Below fees do not include IRCC fees and applicable taxes. There are no hidden charges.
File Review
From $150
Citizen Pro
$799
Dependent Spouse: $500
Each Dependent Child: $100
Citizen Pro Plus
$1299
Dependent Spouse: $500
Each Dependent Child: $100
Please note, we may quote a higher fee for highly complex cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for citizenship with an expired PR card?
Yes. You can apply for citizenship with a valid or expired PR card as long as you still have permanent resident status. An expired PR card does not mean you have lost your permanent resident status. However, if you have a removal order or have lost your PR status for other reasons, you are not eligible to apply for citizenship.
Do I need to take a language test for citizenship?
Not necessarily. IRCC accepts various forms of language proof including language test results, transcripts from Canadian educational institutions where instruction was in English or French, and other accepted evidence. If you are 55 years or older, you are automatically exempt from proving language skills.
What happens if I fail the citizenship test?
You have three chances to pass the citizenship test. If you do not pass after three attempts, IRCC may schedule you for a hearing with a citizenship official who will assess your knowledge of Canada and your language skills in person.
Can I travel outside Canada while my citizenship application is processing?
Yes. You can travel outside Canada while your citizenship application is processing. However, you must ensure you are available in Canada when IRCC schedules your citizenship test and ceremony. Missing scheduled appointments can delay your application.
Does Canada allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Canada allows dual citizenship. However, not every country allows this. You may lose your current citizenship if you become a Canadian citizen. Contact the embassy, high commission, or consulate of your current country of citizenship to confirm their rules.
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