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Canada

Become a Canadian citizen

Canada has one of the most open citizenship policies in the world. Studies show that 85% of permanent residents became citizens.

Each year, more than 100,000 people naturalize and become Canadian citizens. To acquire Canadian citizens by naturalization, you must:

  • be a permanent resident

  • have lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years

  • have filed your taxes, if you need to

  • prove your language skills

  • pass a citizenship test

Be a permanent resident

You must be a permanent resident if you are applying for citizenship.

 

If you are under review for immigration or fraud, have been asked to leave Canada subject to removal order, or have unfulfilled conditions related to your PR status, such as medical screening, you are not eligible.

File your taxes (if you need to)

You may need to file taxes in Canada for at least three years within the five years before you submit your Canadian citizenship application.

Pass a citizenship test

If you are 18 to 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you need to take the citizenship test. You will need to answer questions about the rights of responsibilities of Canadians and Canada's history, geography, economy, government, laws, and symbols.

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The test is:

  • in English or French

  • 30 minutes long

  • 20 questions (pass mark: 15 correct answers)

  • multiple-choice and true or false questions

  • based on the official citizenship study guide: Discover Canada

  • usually written, but may be oral

Meet the physical residence requirements

You must have lived in Canada for at least 3 (1,095 days) years out of 5 years (exceptions may apply). Children are exempt from the three-year requirement but must be permanent residents.

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If you have lived in Canada as a temporary resident or a protected person, your time spent can be counted as half-day for every day spent in Canada up to a maximum of 365 days.

Language skills

If you are 18 to 54 years old on the day you sign your application, you will need to demonstrate that you meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 or higher.

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You can prove this if:

  • you have studied a program in English or French

  • you have taken accepted tests (e.g. IELTS, TEF)

  • you have studied at approved government-funded language training programs such as LINC or CLIC

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