Citizenship Application Process

Canadian Citizenship Process Steps

1. Check your eligibility
2. Calculate your physical presence
3. Gather your documents
4. Complete your application
5. Pay the fees
6. Submit your application
7. Prepare for your test
8. Go to your interview
9. Wait for the decision
10. Go to a ceremony and take the oath

1 – Check your eligibility

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must:

• Be a permanent resident of Canada
• Physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the 5 years immediately before you apply
• May need to file personal income taxes for at least 3 years within the 5-year period, Find out if you need to file your taxes
• Demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French (if you are between 18 and 54 years old when you apply)
• Demonstrate you have knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship (if you are between 18 and 54 years old when you apply—this is assessed after you apply)
• Can’t have any unfulfilled conditions related to their permanent resident status
• Can’t be under a removal order
• Can’t be inadmissible or prohibited on criminal or security grounds

Use this tool to check if you’re eligible to apply for Citizenship.

2 – Calculate your presence in Canada

To calculate how long you’ve been in Canada (your physical presence)

• Use either the Online Physical Presence Calculation or form CIT 0407
• Print your results and include it with your application

3 – Gather your documents

Submit the following documents with your application:

• The printout of your Online Physical Presence Calculation or form CIT 0407
• Coloured photocopy of all pages (valid or expired) of your passport(s) or travel document(s) during your (5) year eligibility period
• Photocopies of two (2) pieces of personal identification
• Photocopies of your proof of English or French language ability (if you are 18 to 54 years old) OR submit supporting evidence 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
• Two identical citizenship photos
• The application fee receipt
• The Document Checklist

4 – Complete your application

Download and fill out the form on your computer, make sure to answer all the questions on this form unless instructed otherwise

5 – Pay the fees

You need to calculate the total amount of fees to be paid if more than one member of your family is applying then pay your fees online and make sure to print your fee receipt and include it with your application

6 – Submit your application

Send your complete application to:

Regular mail Case Processing Centre—Sydney Citizenship Grants P.O. Box 7000 Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6V6

Courier mail Case Processing Centre—Sydney Citizenship Grants 47–49 Dorchester Street Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 5Z2

7 – Prepare for your test

You should get an invitation to write your test after submitting your application if you are between 18 – 54 years old.
Read the official study guide and if you would like register for our exam simulator to help you prepare for your exam.
The exam contains 20 questions where you need 15 correct answers to pass. You will have three (3) opportunities to pass the test.

8 – Go to your interview

You will receive a notice to appear to take a citizenship test and an interview with a citizenship official in one of the local citizenship offices.
Once you finish your exam you will be asked to wait for the interview, in the interview the citizenship official will review your documents and may tell you your exam results.

9 – Wait for the decision

if you don’t meet all the requirements for citizenship, you will receive a decision from the citizenship official in writing.
If you meet all the requirements for citizenship, you will be notified in writing of the time and location of your citizenship ceremony.

10 – Go to a ceremony and take the oath

The final requirement is to take the oath of citizenship to become a Canadian citizen!
You will receive a notice to appear with the location and time to attend a citizenship ceremony and take the oath of citizenship before a citizenship judge or presiding official. Once the oath is taken, you will receive your Certificate of Canadian Citizenship.

Please see IRCC – determine your eligibility for more details.