--- title: "Canadian citizenship application and citizenship test" url: "https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/citizenship" description: "Apply for Canadian citizenship in Canada: handled by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Official links checked 12 October 2026. No sign-up." site: "Canada Service Map" author: "Mahmoud Halat" publisher: "Space & Story" lastReviewed: "2026-10-13" licence: "Built entirely from public data: open data and official government pages. Each record keeps the licence of its source, listed at https://canadaservicemap.ca/data." --- # Canadian citizenship application and citizenship test Federal service ยท Immigration, citizenship and travel Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked 13 October 2026. Not a government website. The official page always has the final word. ## Short answer To become a Canadian citizen you must be a permanent resident who has been physically in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the last 5 years and has filed taxes if required. Adults aged 18 to 54 must prove basic English or French and pass a citizenship test. Most people apply online. The adult fee is $653. Who handles it: [Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada](https://canadaservicemap.ca/bodies/immigration-refugees-and-citizenship-canada). Handles it everywhere in Canada. ## Official links - [Apply for citizenship](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor.html), checked 12 October 2026 - [Canadian citizenship](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship.html), checked 12 October 2026 ## Who can apply - You must have valid permanent resident status. You cannot have a removal order or unmet conditions on your PR status. An expired PR card is fine. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html), checked 13 October 2026. - You must have been physically in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) in the 5 years before you sign your application. At least 730 of those days must be as a permanent resident. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html), checked 13 October 2026. - Days in Canada as a visitor, student, worker or protected person before you became a permanent resident count as half days, up to a maximum of 365 days. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html), checked 13 October 2026. - You may need to have filed Canadian income taxes for at least 3 of the 5 years before you apply. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html), checked 13 October 2026. - Applicants aged 18 to 54 must show basic English or French (level 4 of the Canadian Language Benchmarks) with an accepted certificate, diploma or test. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## Steps 1. Applicants aged 18 to 54 take a citizenship test on the rights and duties of citizens and on Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws and symbols. You are invited after you apply. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html), checked 13 October 2026. 2. Most people apply online through an IRCC account, which holds the forms and document list. Some people must apply on paper, for example if a representative fills out and submits the application for them. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/how.html), checked 13 October 2026. 3. Most applicants then take the oath of citizenship at a citizenship ceremony, which is the final step to becoming a citizen. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/after.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## Cost - The fee for an adult (18 and over) is $653, which includes the processing fee and the right of citizenship fee. Source: [ircc.canada.ca](https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp), checked 13 October 2026. - The fee for a minor (under 18) is $100. Source: [ircc.canada.ca](https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp), checked 13 October 2026. ## Questions people ask ### How many days do I need in Canada to apply for citizenship? At least 1,095 days (3 years) of physical presence in the 5 years before you sign your application. IRCC suggests applying with more than 1,095 days in case there is a problem with your count. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### Who has to take the citizenship test? Everyone who is between 18 and 54 years old on the day they sign their application. Adults 55 and older and children under 18 do not take the test. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### Do I become a citizen by marrying a Canadian? No. Marrying a Canadian does not make you a citizen. Spouses must meet the same requirements as every other applicant. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### Can I keep my other citizenship? Canada allows dual citizenship, but your other country may not. Ask that country's embassy or consulate whether you would lose your current citizenship. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/who.html), checked 13 October 2026. ### Can I leave Canada after I apply for citizenship? Yes, as long as you keep your PR status, can get and answer IRCC mail and emails, and can come to your test, interview and ceremony in Canada. Tell IRCC if you will be away more than two weeks in a row. Source: [canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/adult-minor/after.html), checked 13 October 2026. ## More - [Renew or replace a permanent resident card](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/pr-card) - [Immigrate to Canada (permanent residence)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/immigrate) - [Sponsor a family member to immigrate](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/sponsor-family) - [Visit Canada: visitor visa or eTA](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/visit-canada) - [Get a study permit](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/study-permit) - [Get a work permit](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/work-permit) ## Cite this page Canada Service Map, "Canadian citizenship application and citizenship test", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/citizenship